Basic Research
Copyright ©2006 Baishideng Publishing Group Co., Limited. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Apr 14, 2006; 12(14): 2195-2200
Published online Apr 14, 2006. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v12.i14.2195
Comparison of protocatechuic aldehyde in Radix Salvia miltiorrhiza and corresponding pharmacological sera from normal and fibrotic rats by high performance liquid chromatography
Tao Lv, Xi-Xian Yao
Tao Lv, Xi-Xian Yao, Hebei Institute of Gastroenterology, Department of Gastroenterology, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050000, Hebei Province, China
Correspondence to: Tao Lv, Hebei Institute of Gastroenterology, Department of Digestive Disease, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Hebei Medical University, No.215, Hepingxi Road, Shijiazhuang 050000, Hebei Province, China. taolv22@yahoo.com.cn
Telephone: +86-311-87222831 Fax: +86-311-87061012
Received: October 21, 2005
Revised: November 10, 2005
Accepted: December 23, 2005
Published online: April 14, 2006
Abstract

AIM: To observe the effect of protocatechuic aldehyde on the proliferation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs).

METHODS: Liver fibrosis was induced in rats by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4). Then normal and fibrotic drug sera were extracted from rats. The effects of protocatechuic aldehyde, raw Radix Salvia miltiorrhiza and drug sera of Salvia miltiorrhiza on HSC growth were determined by CCK-8. The protocatechuic aldehyde was separated by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) in a Alltima C18 column (250 mm × 4.6 mm, 5 μm) with a mobile phase of acetonitrile-4% glacial acetic acid solution (gradient elution) at the wavelength of 281 nm.

RESULTS: Protocatechuic aldehyde, raw Radix Salvia miltiorrhiza and drug sera of Salvia miltiorrhiza were found to have inhibitory effects on proliferation of rat HSCs. Raw Radix Salvia miltiorrhiza had a stronger inhibitory effect than the drug sera. The fibrotic drug sera showed a higher suppressive effect than the normal drug sera (P < 0.05). Protocatechuic aldehyde was found in crude materials of both Radix Salvia miltiorrhiza and its corresponding drug sera. The average recovery (n = 6) was 110.5% for raw Salvia miltiorrhiza Bge, 102% for normal drug sera and 105.2% for fibrotic drug sera. The relative standard deviation (RSD) was 0.37%, 1.96% and 1.51%, respectively (n = 6). The contents of protocatechuic aldehyde were 0.22%, 0.15% and 0.19%, respectively (n = 6) (P < 0.05). The RSD was 0.33%, 0.75% and 1.24% (n = 6) for raw material of Radix Salvia miltiorrhiza, normal drug sera and fibrotic drug sera, respectively. The samples were stable for 6 d.

CONCLUSION: Protocatechuic aldehyde can inhibit the growth of HSCs. HPLC is suitable for the determination of virtual bioactive components of Chinese herbal medicines in vitro.

Keywords: Radix Salvia miltiorrhiza; Protocatechuic aldchyde; Seropharmacological method; High performance liquid chromatography