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Background: Quality evaluation of multi-species resourced herb medicine (MSRHM) is a main problem for quality control of herb medicine. Current quality evaluation methodology lost consideration of species discrepancy. New quality evaluation strategy for MSRHM is in urgent need. Qinjiao, a representative MSRHM, originated from Gentiana macrophylla Pall., Gentiana straminea Maxim., Gentiana crassicaulis Duthie ex Burk. or Gentiana dahurica Fisch., has been used as an important herb medicine over 2000 years for expelling wind-dampness and relieving impediment pain. However, quality evaluation among species has never been revealed. The current work proposes an integrated quality evaluation strategy for MSRHM of Qinjiao, which may promote innovation of quality control of MSRHM. Methods: In this work, 58 batches of Qinjiao covering 4 species were collected. Genetic comparative analysis based on ITS2 sequence was conducted. Metabolomics analysis based on TOF–MS and NMR spectrum were carried out. Compounds underlying species differences were identified and their discrepancies among species were investigated by ANOVA analysis and multivariate analysis. Results: Four species of Qinjiao can be authenticated by ITS2 sequence comparation. Metabolomics analysis by TOF/MS and NMR revealed chemical discrepancies among species of Qinjiao. Maximum discrepancy was present between Gentiana crassicaulis Duthie ex Burk. and Gentiana dahurica Fisch. Chemical difference among species were tentative explored. For TOF–MS profiling, 28 constituents were tentative identified, 17 of which were further confirmed by standards. For 1H-NMR profiling, signals from 5 compounds were assigned. Contents discrepancies were investigated by ANOVA analysis. It seems that (seco)iridoids like loganic acid, gentiopicroside or swertiamarin were richer in specie of Gentiana crassicaulis Duthie ex Burk., while flavonoid (morroniside) and triterpenoids (roburic aicd, ursolic acid, oleanolic acid, β-sitosterone) were richer in specie of Gentiana dahurica Fisch. The current research demonstrates that metabolite profiling based on both UPLC/Q-TOF MS and 1H-NMR coupled with ITS2 sequence comparation can be a powerful tool for quality investigation of MSRHM of Qinjiao. Conclusions: A comprehensive quality evaluation strategy for MSRHM was proposed by integrating UPLC-Q-TOF–MS, NMR based metabolic analysis and ITS2 sequence genetic comparation. The proposed quality evaluation strategy shall promote innovation of quality control of traditional Chinese medicine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Picrasma quassioides (D. Don) Benn. is a widely used traditional Chinese medicine for anti‐inflammation and antibiosis. Canthinone and β‐carboline alkaloids are the main characteristic constituents that possess diverse pharmacological effects, such as anti‐inflammatory and anti‐infectious properties. In this study, bioautography in thin‐layer chromatography indicated that the antiradical activity compound may be alkaloids. Then, a simple, fast, and efficient method was established for the separation and purification of two types of alkaloids from P. quassioides by mass‐spectrometry‐directed autopurification system. Eight alkaloids were isolated and purified in this one‐step methodology. Among them, five compounds (3, 95.1%, 58.8 mg; 4, 98.4%, 71.7 mg; 6, 97.8%, 365.4 mg; 7, 97.7%, 172.7 mg; 8, 98.2%, 180.3 mg) were obtained in large amounts with extremely high purities. Then, the antiradical activities of the isolates showed that 4‐methoxy‐5‐hydroxycanthin‐6‐one (6) exhibited obvious 1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picryl‐hydrazyl free radical scavenging activity with an IC50 value of 84.037 μM. This study offers a new method for the preparation of targeted bioactive alkaloids in P. quassioides. This work also provides a reference for the separation of other targeted chemical components with potential activities from traditional Chinese herbal medicines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The methanolic extract and its subfractions from red peony root, the dried roots of Paeonia lactiflora Pallas showed potent antiallergic effects, as inhibition of immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated degranulation in rat basophil leukemia (RBL)-2H3 cells. Bioassay-guided fractionation led to the isolation of 16 monoterpene derivatives, including 3 new compounds, paeoniflorol ( 1 ), 4′-hydroxypaeoniflorigenone ( 2 ) and 4- epi -albiflorin ( 3 ), together with 13 known ones ( 4–16 ). The chemical structures of the new compounds were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic and chemical evidences. Among the isolated monoterpene derivatives, nine compounds showed potent anti-allergic effects and compound 1 was the most effective. A primary structure-activity relationship of monoterpene derivatives was discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ethnopharmacological relevance Dendrobium aurantiacum var. denneanumis widespread in southern China, locally known as “Shihu”, “Huangcao” or “Fengdou”, has long been used in traditional Chinese medicine for antipyretic, immunomodulatory, anti-aging effects and eye benefiting. Aim of this study To investigate the effects of gigantol extracted from the stem of D. aurantiacum var. denneanum on the formation of galactose-induced cataractogenesis and the potential mechanisms underlying these effects. Materials and methods Cataract lens models were induced by d -galactose both in vitro and in vivo . The transparency of the rat lenses in vitro and in vivo was observed with an anatomical microscope and a slit lamp microscope. The differential protein and action targets of gigantol were determined and compared among the control group, model group, and gigantol group using two-dimensional electrophoresis and mass spectrometry (MS). Enzyme kinetics was used to show the ability of gigantol to respress aldose reductase (AR) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). Quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR). was used to detect repression of the expression of AR and iNOS genes. Molecular docking and dynamic simulation were used to predict the interaction points and combination patterns between gigantol, AR, and iNOS. Results Gigantol was found to prevent galactose-induced damage to the rat lenses both in vitro and in vivo , to delay lens turbidity, and to keep the lenses transparent. Differential proteomes, MS, and RT-qPCR showed AR and iNOS to be the target proteins of gigantol. Gigantol reduced the galactose-induced AR and iNOS mRNA expression by 51.2% and 60.9%, respectively. The IC50 of gigantol for inhibition of AR and iNOS activities were 65.67 μg/mL and 8.768 μg/mL, respectively. Gigantol–AR binding sites were Trp111, His110, Tyr48, and Trp20, and gigantol–iNOS binding sites were Ile195 and Gln257. The main forms of interaction were hydrophobic forces, hydrogen bonds, and van der Waals forces. Conclusion Gigantol extracted from D. aurantiacum var. denneanum was found to inhibit galactose-induced formation of cataracts through repression of the gene expression and activity of AR and iNOS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ethnopharmacological relevance Eucommiae cortex (EC), the bark of Eucommia ulmoides Oliv., has been traditionally used to treat many diseases in China for more than 2000 years. The pharmacological effects are primarily attributed to the presence of lignans, iridoids and phenolics, which are main active ingredients in EC. Aim of the study First, to investigate the active ingredients that can be absorbed into the rat plasma according to which ingredients exhibit significant correlation of drug concentration–time curve. Second, to establish an efficient ultra-performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) method for simultaneous determination of ingredients absorbed in rat plasma. Finally, to investigate gender effect on the pharmacokinetics of the ingredients absorbed in male and female rats plasma after oral administration with EC extract. Materials and methods 18 ingredients from EC were detected by UPLC-MS/MS, 9 out of 18 ingredients were absorbed into rat plasma. And 5 ingredients exhibit significant correlation of drug concentration–time curve. They were pinoresinol di-O- β -d-glucopyranoside (PDG), geniposide (GE), geniposidic acid (GA), aucubin (AN) and chlorogenic acid (CA). The analytes were extracted from rat plasma via a simple protein precipitation procedure and osalmid was used as the internal standard. Chromatographic separation was achieved on a Waters ACQUITY HSS T3 column (2.1 mm×100 mm, 1.8 μm) using a gradient elution program with acetonitrile and 0.1% formic acid water as the mobile phase, with a flow rate of 0.3 mL min −1 . The detection was performed on a triple-quadrupole tandem mass spectrometer by multiple reactions monitoring (MRM) mode in a positive ion mode via electrospray ionization (ESI). The transition monitored were / z 683.00[M+H] + →235.10 for PDG, / z 389.00[M+H] + →208.80 for GE, m / z 375.00[M+H] + →194.79 for GA, m / z 364.00[M+NH 4 ] + →148.81 for AN, m / z 355.10[M+H] + →162.84 for CA and m / z 230.03[M+H] + →120.77 for internal standard. Results The developed method showed good linearity over a wide concentration range, the lower limits of quantification and higher accuracy and precision for determination of the 5 analytes. Then the method was applied to study the pharmacokinetics in rats, and the results indicated that there were significant differences in pharmacokinetic parameters of the analytes between the male and female rats, and absorptions of these analytes in male group were all significantly higher than those in female group. Conclusion This study established an efficient, sensitive and selective UPLC-MS/MS method for simultaneous determination of the five ingredients in rat plasma, and it could be successfully applied to the comparative pharmacokinetic studies in male and female rats after oral administration with EC extract. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ethnopharmacological relevance Seeds of Peganum harmala Linn are traditionally used as folk medical herb in Uighur medicine in China to treat disorders of hemiplegia and amnesia. Previously studies have proved that dominating alkaloids in P. harmala show significant inhibitory activities on the cholinesterase. Aim of the study The aim of the present study is to isolate trace ingredients from seeds of P. harmala and evaluate its inhibitory activities on acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE). Materials and methods For sake of screening effective cholinesterase inhibitors, trace compounds were isolated from seeds of P. harmala through a bioassay-guided fractionation and their structures were determined via detailed spectral analysis. The inhibitory activities on AChE and BChE were assessed using an improved Ellman method by UPLC-ESI-MS/MS to determine the common final product choline. Results The activity-guided fractionation led to the isolation of two new alkaloids 2-aldehyde-tetrahydroharmine ( 10 ), 2-carboxyl-3,4-dihydroquinazoline ( 19 ), one syringin structure analog 1-O- β - D -xylopyranose sinapyl alcohol ( 22) , and along with 19 known compounds. Compounds acetylnorharmine ( 6 ), harmic acid methy ester ( 7 ), harmine N -oxide ( 13 ), 6-methoxyindoline ( 14 ), syringin ( 21 ) were first found from genus Peganum and compounds 3-hydroxylated harmine ( 4 ), 1-hydroxy-7-methoxy- β -carboline ( 5 ) were new natural products. The results showed that the 2-aldehyde-tetrahydroharmine ( 10 ) has a potential inbibitive effect on both AChE and BChE with IC 50 values of 12.35±0.24 and 5.51±0.33 µM, respectively. Deoxyvasicine ( 15 ) and vasicine ( 16 ) showed the strongest BChE inhibitory activity with IC 50 values of 0.04±0.01 and 0.1±0.01 µM. The analysis of the structure-activity relationship indicated that the saturation of pyridine ring and the presence of substitution at indole ring, C-1, C-3, C-7 and N-2, for β-carbolines, were essential for effective inhibition of both AChE and BChE and the five-membered ring between C-2 and N-3 as well as the substituent groups sited at C-4 and C-9, for quinazolines, were important to both the AChE/BChE-inhibitory activity. Conclusions Bioassay-guided fractionation has led to the isolation of AChE and BChE inhibitors from the seeds of P. harmala . These results are in agreement with the traditional uses of the seeds of P. harmala . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Ethnopharmacological relevance: Diosbulbin B (DB) is the main constituent of furano-norditerpenes in Dioscorea bulbifera Linn., which is widely distributed in China and was usually used as a remedy for sore throat, struma and tumor. Owing to its potential antitumor activity, DB has been considered as a promising candidate for drug development. Aim of the study: To study the pharmacokinetic properties and excretion of DB in rats by a sensitive UPLC–MS/MS method. Absolute bioavailability and gender-related pharmacokinetic properties, as well as excretion fractions of DB in urine and feces after oral and intravenous administrations would be addressed for the first time. Materials and methods: Sprague–Dawley rats were administrated orally (32mg/kg) and intravenously (0.5mg/kg) of DB, respectively. The concentrations of DB in rat plasma were determined by a sensitive and well-validated LC–MS/MS method. Main pharmacokinetic parameters including area under the plasma concentration–time curve (AUC), elimination half time (t 1/2), mean residence time (MRT), apparent volume of distribution (V d) and clearance rate (CL) were estimated using a non-compartmental pharmacokinetics data analysis software. Urine and feces of rats were collected within 48h after oral administration (32mg/kg) and detected by UPLC–MS/MS and HPLC, respectively. Results: The standard curves of DB in rat plasma and urine showed good linearity in the concentration range of 1.0–515ng/mL in the method, with acceptable selectivity, precisions, recoveries, and stability. The oral absolute bioavailability of DB in female rats was 2.0%, significantly higher than that of males (0.3%) (p<0.05). Female rats demonstrated longer t 1/2 and MRT (p<0.01), bigger V d and higher CL (p<0.05) than males after intravenous administration of DB. Bigger but no significant difference in excretion fractions of urine and feces in female rats were observed, comparing to those in males. Conclusion: A simple and sensitive UPLC–MS/MS method was developed to determine the pharmacokinetic profiles of DB in rats, as well as the excretion in rat urine. Gender exerted a significant influence on the pharmacokinetics and bioavailability of DB in rats. Female rats showed significantly better absorption of DB than males after oral administration. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Ethnopharmacological relevance: To evaluate the hepatoprotective effect of the root and rhizome of Rhubarb (Rhei Radix et Rhizoma) against α-naphthylisothiocyanate (ANIT)-induced liver injury using metabolic profile of bile acids (BAs) along with biochemical parameters and histological alterations. Materials and methods: Ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS) was applied to determinate the concentration of BAs, which was followed by multivariate statistical analysis of Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Partial Least Squares Discriminate Analysis (PLS-DA). Results: Based on PCA results, three groups (Vehicle group, ANIT group and RhO+ANIT group) were clearly distinguished. Tauro-cholic acid (TCA), tauro-hyodesoxycholic acid (THDCA), glyco-cholic acid (GCA), and glyco-chenodeoxycholic acid (GCDCA) were proved to be the most important markers corresponding to ANIT-induced liver injury and protection provided by Rhubarb, which is further confirmed by PLS-DA. A correlation was found between the foregoing BAs and biochemical parameters including serum aspartate aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST), which confirmed that TCA, THDAC, GCA, and GCDCA could be considered as sensitive biomarkers. Conclusion: The variance of the BAs contents can be used to evaluate ANIT-induced hepatotoxicity caused by ANIT and protective effects of Rhubarb. It also lays the foundation for the further research on the mechanisms of cholestasis as well as the therapeutic effect of Rhubarb. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Accumulation of hepatic lipid promotes systemic metabolic dysfunction and results in fatty liver. Our previous studies have shown that the alkaloids of Dendrobium nobile Lindl. (DNLA) could regulate the lipid metabolism gene expression in livers of mice. However, the protective effects on hepatic lipid homeostasis and the underlying mechanisms are still unclear. The C57BL/6 male mice were randomly divided into four groups, including control group, model group, DNLA treatment group, and simvastatin positive control group. Mice in the control group and the other three groups were fed with control diet and high fat diet during the full course of this study, respectively. Hepatic lipid accumulation was induced by HFD in mice after 18 weeks of feeding. DNLA (15 mg/kg) and simvastatin (20 mg/kg) were administrated intragastrically in the DNLA treatment group and simvastatin positive control group for another 18 weeks, respectively. HE staining and Oil-Red-O staining of liver tissues were observed. TC and TG levels in liver were assayed. The amount of major bile acids in mice livers were quantified by UPLC-MS. Expression levels of genes were tested by the real-time PCR. The results of HE staining and Oil-Red-O staining showed that DNLA could improve hepatic lipid homeostasis. DNLA significantly decreased liver TC and TG levels in the DNLA group. Moreover, the UPLC-MS analysis showed that DNLA did not only influence the hepatic bile acid quantity but did raise the hydrophilicity. Compared with the model group, DNLA decreased the hepatic levels of several free bile acids, including LCA, DCA, CA, and CDCA, and increased most important taurine-conjugated bile acids levels in liver, including TMCAs, TCDCA, TUDCA, and THDCA. In addition, DNLA also decreased the CA/CDCA ratio. The gene expression levels of Cyp27a1 , Cyp3a11 , Fxr , and Shp were up-regulated in DNLA treatment group. DNLA may improve the hepatic abnormal lipid profile of HFD-fed mice via two pathways: (1) enhancing the taurine-conjugated bile acids which are highly hydrophilic and contribute to the excretion of cholesterol; (2) decreasing the CA/CDCA ratio which is positively related to cholesterol absorption. Image 1 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]