Studies On Water-Soluble Active Constituents And Quality Evaluation Of The Fruits Of Ligustrum Lucidum Ait

The source of the crude drug, Frutus Ligustri Lucidi (Chinese name, Nuzhenzi) are the fruits of Ligustrum lucidum Ait which is well known and frequently used in clinical practice. In the theory of Chinese traditional medicine , it has the effects of supporting the healthy energy, nourishing the liver and kidneys and can be applied to replenish the liver and kidney , improve eyesight and promote the growth of black hair . Pharmacological tests show that it has the activities to improve immune function and delay the ageing process. It is also used as an important component in some traditional Chinese patent medicines. Chemical pattern recognition of Ligustrum lucidum Ait was carried by PCA and classity method, which gave a result that the plant is easy to identified from different origin.The chemical constituents of dried fruits of Ligustrum lucidum Ait was studied and the evidences were provided for the exploitation and utilization of this plant resources. Isolation and purification of chemical constituents of Ligustrum lucidum were performed by solvent extraction and chromatography, and their structures were identified by physicochemical properties and spectroscopic analysis. Seven compounds were isolated and identified from the ethanol extract of the fruits.An accutate RP-HPLC for the quantitative determination of two biologically active compounds, oleanolate andp-hydroxyphenethyl-β-D-glucoside in the fruits of Ligustrum lucidum Ait was developed. Polysaccharides in different origin of Ligustrum lucidum were determined by UV spectrophotometry at 490 nm, with phenol-concentrated sulfuric acid as the color developer, providing a basis for the quality control of the plant.In order to explore the influence of Ligustrum lucidum Ait on proliferation of HSC-T6 and synthesis of collagen in rats. The effects of Ligustrum lucidum Ait on proliferation of HSC-T6 were observed by MTT colorimetric assay and synthesis of collagen were observed by the incorporation of 3H-proline. Ligustrum lucidum Ait can prevent HSC-T6 cell proliferation and collagen synthesis significantly in vitro. In "Assay" of the fruits of Ligustrum lucidum Ait in Pharmacopoeia of the People`s Republic of China (edition 2000), only the quantitative determination of oleanonic acid was regularized, but the water-soluble portion of Ligustrum lucidum Ait have strong biological effects. It is necessary to examine the active chemical constituent of the water-soluble portion in the crude drugs.