Qualitative and quantitative analysis of the chemical constituents in Mahuang-Fuzi-Xixin decoction based on high performance liquid chromatography combined with time-of-flight mass spectrometry and triple quadrupole mass spectrometers

Simultaneous Determination of 14 Bioactive Components in Fangji Huangqi Tang by UHPLC-QqQ-MS Technique

Fangji Huangqi Tang (FHT) is a traditional prescription frequently utilized in clinical practice, with a wide range of clinical applications and good therapeutic effects. Quality control of FHT is difficult because Chinese medicine compounds usually contain a vast array of components characterized by significant structural diversity. A quick and accurate method to determine the content of active constituents in FHT was essential, by which the purpose of quality control and efficacy assessment could be achieved. A method utilizing UHPLC-QqQ-MS technology in multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode was established to quantify 14 bioactive components in FHT simultaneously. These analytes included tetrandrine, fangchinoline, calycosin, calycosin-7-glucoside, medicarpin, formononetin, atractylenolide I, atractylenolide II, atractylenolide III, liquiritigenin, isoliquiritigenin, liquiritin, isoliquiritin, and glycyrrhizic acid. And to our knowledge, the content of calycosin, medicarpin, formononetin, and atractylenolide II in FHT was reported for the first time in this paper. The method was thoroughly validated for stable and reliable application regarding specificity, linearity, precision, stability, repeatability, and accuracy. The established method allowed the simultaneous determination of 14 bioactive components with diverse structures and trace amounts in FHT, ultimately achieving the quality control and assessment of FHT for its safe and appropriate clinical use.

Integrated serum pharmacochemistry, network pharmacology and experimental verification to explore the mechanism of Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata in treatment of lung cancer

Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata (Fuzi) is a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) widely used in treating cancer. Our formerly investigations confirmed the anti-lung cancer efficacy of Fuzi, but systematic analysis of the ingredients of Fuzi absorbed into serum and the corresponding molecular mechanism in treating lung cancer remained unknown. In this work, UPLC-Q-TOF-MS was applied to detect the ingredients of Fuzi in rat serum. Next, the possible targets and key pathways of the components absorbed into serum of Fuzi were predicted by network pharmacology. Then, the binding activity of components and potential targets were performed by molecular docking. Afterwards, the proliferation, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), apoptosis and reactive oxygen species (ROS) of lung cancer cells after treatment with Fuzi-containing serum were determined by MTT assay, JC-1 fluorescent probe, Annexin V-FITC/PI double staining and DCFH-DA respectively. Finally, the predicted target was further validated with qRT-PCR. In total, identification of 20 components of Fuzi derived from rat serum were achieved. The prediction of network pharmacology indicated that these compounds might exert their therapeutic effects by modulating mTOR. The findings from molecular docking proved that fuziline, songorine, napelline and hypaconitine exhibited binding potential with the mTOR. Cancer cell experiments revealed that the Fuzi-containing serum inhibited cell proliferation, induced apoptosis, reduced MMP and increased ROS. Additionally, Fuzi-containing serum significantly reduced the mRNA expression of mTOR. This study revealed that fuziline, songorine, napelline and hypaconitine were the main ingredients of Fuzi absorbed into serum. Furthermore, Fuzi-containing serum demonstrated inhibitory effects on the proliferation of lung cancer cells and induced the apoptosis. Combined with the results of network pharmacology, molecular docking and biological verification, Fuzi-containing serum might exert its anti-lung cancer effect by inhibiting mTOR. This study would provide a deeper understanding of Fuzi in treating lung cancer and offer a scientific reference for its clinical utilization.

Chemical profiling and quality evaluation of raw and vinegar-processing frankincense by multiple UPLC-MS/MS techniques

INTRODUCTION

Frankincense is used for analgesic, tumor-suppressive, and anti-inflammatory treatments in Traditional Chinese Medicine but poses toxicological concerns. Vinegar processing is a common technique used to reduce the toxicity of frankincense.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to investigate the chemical composition and quality evaluation of raw and vinegar-processing frankincense by multiple UPLC-MS/MS techniques. Additionally, we purposed refining the vinegar processing technique and identifying potentially harmful ingredients in the raw frankincense.

METHODOLOGY

Sub-chronic oral toxicity studies were conducted on raw and vinegar-processing frankincense in rats. The composition of frankincense was identified by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS. Chemometrics were used to differentiate between raw and vinegar-processing frankincense. Potential chemical markers were identified by selecting differential components, which were further exactly determined by UPLC-QQQ-MS/MS. Moreover, the viability of the HepG2 cells of those components with reduced contents after vinegar processing was assessed.

RESULTS

The toxicity of raw frankincense is attenuated by vinegar processing, among which vinegar-processing frankincense (R40) (herb weight: rice vinegar weight = 40:1) exhibited the lowest toxicity. A total of 83 components were identified from frankincense, including 40 triterpenoids, 37 diterpenoids, and 6 other types. The contents of six components decreased after vinegar-processing, with the lowest levels in R40. Three components, specifically 3α-acetoxy-11-keto-β-boswellic acid (AKBA), 3α-acetoxy-α-boswellic acid (α-ABA), and 3α-acetoxy-β-boswellic acid (β-ABA), inhibited the viability of HepG2 cells. The processing of frankincense with vinegar at a ratio of 40:1 could be an effective method of reducing the toxicity in raw frankincense.

CONCLUSION

Our research improves understanding of the toxic substance basis and facilitates future assessments of frankincense quality.

Renal toxicity of Aconitum plants? A study based on a new mass spectrometry scanning strategy and computer virtual screening

BACKGROUND

Radix Aconiti Lateralis (Fuzi), a mono-herbal preparation of Aconitum herbs in the genus Aconitum, is commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) to treat critical illnesses. The curative effect of Fuzi is remarkable. However, the toxic effects of Fuzi are still a key clinical focus, and the substances inducing nephrotoxicity are still unclear. Therefore, this study proposes a research model combining "in vitro and in vivo component mining-virtual multi-target screening-active component prediction-literature verification" to screen potential nephrotoxic substances rapidly.

METHOD

The UHPLC-Q-Exactive-Orbitrap MS analysis method was used for the correlation analysis of Fuzi's in vitro-in vivo chemical substance groups. On this basis, the key targets of nephrotoxicity were screened by combining online disease databases and a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network. The computer screening technique was used to verify the binding mode and affinity of Fuzi's components with nephrotoxic targets. Finally, the potential material basis of Fuzi-induced nephrotoxicity was screened.

RESULTS

Eighty-one Fuzi components were identified. Among them, 35 components were absorbed into the blood. Based on the network biology method, 21 important chemical components and three potential key targets were screened. Computer virtual screening revealed that mesaconine, benzoylaconine, aconitine, deoxyaconitine, hypaconitine, benzoylhypaconine, benzoylmesaconine, and hypaconitine may be potential nephrotoxic substances of Fuzi.

CONCLUSIONS

Fuzi may interact with multiple components and targets in the process of inducing nephrotoxicity. In the future, experiments can be designed to explore further. This study provides a reference for screening Fuzi nephrotoxic components and has certain significance for the safe use of Fuzi.

Unlocking the hidden potential: Enhancing the utilization of stems and leaves through metabolite analysis and toxicity assessment of various parts of Aconitum carmichaelii

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Aconitum carmichaelii is widely used in traditional Chinese medicine clinics as a bulk medicinal material. It has been used in China for more than two thousand years. Nevertheless, the stems and leaves of this plant are usually discarded as non-medicinal parts, even though they have a large biomass and exhibit therapeutic properties. Thus, it is crucial to investigate metabolites of different parts of Aconitum carmichaelii and explore the relationship between metabolites and toxicity to unleash the utilization potential of the stems and leaves.

AIM OF THE STUDY

Using plant metabolomics, we aim to correlate different metabolites in various parts of Aconitum carmichaelii with toxicity, thereby screening for toxicity markers. This endeavor seeks to offer valuable insights for the development of Aconitum carmichaelii stem and leaf-based applications.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap MS/MS-based plant metabolomics was employed to analyze metabolites of the different parts of Aconitum carmichaelii. The cardiotoxicity and hepatotoxicity of the extracts from different parts of Aconitum carmichaelii were also investigated using zebrafish as animal model. Toxicity markers were subsequently identified by correlating toxicity with metabolites.

RESULTS

A total of 113 alkaloids were identified from the extracts of various parts of Aconitum carmichaelii, with 64 different metabolites in stems and leaves compared to daughter root (Fuzi), and 21 different metabolites in stems and leaves compared to mother root (Wutou). The content of aporphine alkaloids in the stems and leaves of Aconitum carmichaelii is higher than that in the medicinal parts, while the content of the diester-diterpenoid alkaloids is lower. Additionally, the medicinal parts of Aconitum carmichaelii exhibited cardiotoxicity and hepatotoxicity, while the stems and leaves have no obvious toxicity. Finally, through correlation analysis and animal experimental verification, mesaconitine, deoxyaconitine, and hypaconitine were used as toxicity markers.

CONCLUSION

Given the low toxicity of the stems and leaves and the potential efficacy of aporphine alkaloids, the stems and leaves of Aconitum carmichaelii hold promise as a valuable medicinal resource warranting further development.

Interpretation of the anti-influenza active ingredients and potential mechanisms of Ge Gen Decoction based on spectrum-effect relationships and network analysis

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Ge Gen Decoction (GGD) is a classic traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) prescription that originated in the ancient Chinese medical book "Treatise on Febrile Diseases". The prescription consists of 7 herbs: Pueraria lobata (Willd.) Ohwi, Ephedra sinica Stapf, Cinnamomum cassia (L.) J.Presl, Paeonia lactiflora Pall., Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch., Zingiber officinale Rosc., and Ziziphus jujuba Mill. It can alleviate high fever and soreness in the neck and shoulders caused by exogenous wind chill and is widely used in both China and Japan. Currently, GGD is primarily utilized for treating flu and the common cold. GGD has been reported to show significant anti-influenza A virus (IAV) activity both in vitro and in vivo. However, the active ingredients responsible for its anti-influenza properties have not been elucidated, and the mechanisms underlying its anti-influenza effects require further research.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study aims to investigate the active ingredients and molecular mechanisms of GGD in treating influenza.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

HPLC chromatograms were established for GGD water and different polar extracts. The effect of different GGD extracts on pulmonary virus titers and TNFα expression was assessed through RT-PCR analysis. Spectrum-effect relationships between chromatographic peaks of GGD and its virus inhibition rate and TNFα inhibition rate were investigated using partial least squares regression (PLSR) analysis. HPLC-Q-TOF-MS was utilized to identify the constituents absorbed into the blood after oral administration of GGD. Network analysis of the absorbed forms of active ingredients was conducted to predict the potential mechanisms of GGD. Subsequently, total SOD activity, CAT and HO-1 expression and Nrf2 nuclear translocation were then analyzed. Finally, the impact of interfering with HO-1 expression on the anti-IAV activity of GGD was examined.

RESULTS

The study identified 11 anti-influenza active ingredients in GGD, which are daidzein, ononin, genistin, daidzin, 3'-methoxypuerarin, puerarin, pseudoephedrine, paeoniflorin, pormononetin-7-xylosyl-glucoside, penistein-7-O-apiosyl-glucoside, and ephedrine. Network analysis revealed various biological activities of GGD, including responses to ROS and oxidative stress. GGD also involves multiple antiviral pathways, such as hepatitis B, IAV, and Toll-like receptor pathways. Experimental assays demonstrated that GGD possesses independent antioxidant activity both in vitro and in vivo. In vitro, GGD inhibits the increase in intracellular ROS induced by IAV. In vivo, it reduces MDA levels and increases total pulmonary SOD activity. Applying siRNA and flow cytometry analysis revealed that GGD alleviates IAV-induced oxidative burst by promoting the expression of HO-1 and CAT. Western blot analysis revealed that GGD effectively promotes Nrf2 nuclear translocation and enhances Nrf2 expression. Furthermore, this study found that the enhancement of HO-1 expression by GGD contributed to its anti-IAV activity.

CONCLUSIONS

The study identified the active ingredients of GGD against influenza and demonstrated the beneficial role of GGD's antioxidant activity in treating flu. The antioxidant activity of GGD is associated with the promotion of Nrf2 nuclear translocation and the upregulation of antioxidant enzymes such as SOD, HO-1, and CAT. Overall, this study provides evidence supporting the use of GGD as an adjunctive or complementary therapy for influenza.

Comparative analysis of chemical components in fruits of Chebulae Fructus and its pulp based on chromatographic technology coupled with multivariate chemometric methods

Chebulae Fructus, was extensively used as a food supplement and medicinal herb, which contained two medicinal forms corresponding to the mature fruit of Chebulae Fructus (CF) and CF pulp. They were widely used in the Chinese clinical medicine and it played a significant role in the Mongolian and Tibetan medicine for the treatment of sore throat, asthma, diarrhea and other diseases. Both of them were recorded in the 2020 Edition (Volume I) of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia. However, the chemical components of CF and CF pulp have not been holistically explored, which seriously hindered its quality evaluation. This study investigated the overall chemical profile of the CF and CF pulp using ultra high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time of flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC-Q-TOF/MS) and ultra high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS). Sixty-four chemical components were tentatively identified, and 13 components were quantified in Chebulae Fructus. Furthermore, multivariate chemometric methods were applied to compare the differences among CF samples, and all samples were classified by orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) based on the 13 quantified compounds. The results showed that CF and CF pulp were clustered in two different areas. Ellagic acid, chebulagic acid, chebulinic acid, corilagin and pentagalloyl glucose were selected as the significant constituents to different of CF and CF pulp. LC-MS coupled with chemometrics strategy analysis could comprehensively evaluate the holistic quality of CF, which provided a necessary information for the rational development and utilization of CF and CF pulp resource.

Combination of chemical profiling and network pharmacology analysis to investigate the potential mechanism of Li-Zhong-Xiao-Pi granules in the treatment of gastric precancerous lesions

Li-Zhong-Xiao-Pi granules (LZXP) are effective for treating gastric precancerous lesions (GPL) in traditional Chinese medicine. However, the active compounds of LZXP and their potential therapeutic mechanism in GPL remained unclarified. The purpose of this study is to investigate the chemical composition and potential targets of LZXP. Based on the accurate masses, ion fragments, and literature data, a total of 128 compounds were identified in the LZXP sample using ultra-performance liquid chromatography and quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF-MS) in both positive and negative ion modes, and 28 of these compounds were exactly determined by comparison with authentic reference standards. Meanwhile, 11 typical components were quantified via UPLC during a 24 min period. The linearity, accuracy, stability and recovery of the method were all proven. Through the network pharmacological analysis, six chemicals (quercetin, 4'-hydroxywogonin, sinensetin, 5, 7, 8, 3', 4'-pentamethoxyflavanone, 8-gingerdione and quercetin) were identified as the active ingredients, and five LZXP targets (AKT1, CYP1B1, PTGS2, MMP9 and EGFR) were found to be the crucial molecules in the treatment of GPL. This study provides a systematic and applicable method for the rapid screening and identification of the chemical constituents from LZXP, and an effective understanding the mechanism of LZXP in the treatment of GPL.

Mahuang Xixin Fuzi decoction protects the BALB/c-nude mice infected with influenza A virus by reducing inflammatory cytokines storm and weakly regulating SIgA immune response

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Mahuang Xixin Fuzi Decoction (MXF), as a classical prescription of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), has been used to treat the immunocompromised individuals infected with influenza A virus (IAV).

AIM OF THE STUDY

The study aims to explore the regulatory of MXF on inflammation and secretory immunoglobulin A (SIgA) antibodies immune response in BALB/c-nude mice infected with IAV.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The BALB/c-nude mice were infected with IAV, then different dosages of MXF were orally administrated to the mice. The weight, rectal temperature, spontaneous activity, spleen index, lung index, pathological changes of lung tissues, and the relative mRNA expression level of H1N1 M gene were measured for the purpose of valuing the antiviral effect of MXF. The expression levels of cytokines in lungs and immunoglobulin A (IgA) in serum of BALB/c-nude mice were determined with Cytometric Bead Array System (CBA). SIgA in bronchoalveolar lavage fluids (BALF) was detected with Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). The mRNA and protein expression levels of B cell activating factor (BAFF), chemokine receptors 10 (CCR10), and polymeric immunoglobulin receptor (pIgR) in the lung tissues, which are related to the secretion of SIgA, were determined by using RT-PCR and Western blot.

RESULTS

MXF could alleviate the clinical features and reduce the severity of viral lung lesions, including improving the body weight, rectal temperature and spontaneous activity of nude mice infected with IAV, increasing spleen index, decreasing lung index, alleviating pathological damage, and decreasing the relative expression level of H1N1 M gene. Levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-2 (IL-2), interleukin-12p70 (IL-12p70), and interleukin-17A (IL-17A) were also significantly decreased after treatment with MXF. Interferon-γ (IFN-γ), an antiviral cytokine, was significantly up-regulated in high dose MXF (3.12 g/kg) group. Moreover, after MXF treatment, the expressions of SIgA in BALF and IgA in serum were both at relatively low levels. And the mRNA and protein expressions of BAFF, CCR10, and pIgR were significantly decreased after treatment with MXF.

CONCLUSIONS

MXF has obviously protective effects on BALB/c-nude mice infected with IAV by inhibiting virus replication, calming inflammatory cytokine storm, and regulating SIgA immune response weakly.

Stepwise Frontal Analysis Coupled with Affinity Chromatography: A Fast and Reliable Method for Potential Ligand Isolation and Evaluation from Mahuang-Fuzi-Xixin Decoction

Mahuang-Fuzi-Xixin Decoction (MFXD) is widely used in the treatment of asthma, however, the functional components in the decoction targeting beta2-adrenoceptor (β₂ -AR) remain unclear. Herein, we immobilized the haloalkane dehalogenase (Halo)-tagged β₂ -AR on the 6-chlorocaproic acid-modified microspheres. Using the affinity stationary phase, the interactions of four ligands with the receptor were analyzed by stepwise frontal analysis. The association constants were (4.75±0.28)×10⁴  M^-1 for salbutamol, (2.93±0.15)×10⁴  M^-1 for terbutaline, (1.23±0.03)×10⁴  M^-1 for methoxyphenamine, (5.67±0.38)×10⁴  M^-1 for clorprenaline at high-affinity binding site, and (2.73±0.05)×10³  M^-1 at low-affinity binding site. These association constants showed the same rank order as the radioligand binding assay, demonstrating that immobilized β₂ -AR had capacity to screen bioactive compounds binding to the receptor while stepwise frontal analysis could predict their binding affinities. Application of the immobilized receptor in analysis of MFXD by chromatographic method revealed that ephedrine, aconifine, karakoline, and chasmanine were the bioactive compounds targeting β₂ -AR. Among them, ephedrine and chasmanine exhibited association constants of (2.94±0.02)×10⁴ M^-1 and (4.60±0.15)×10⁴  M^-1 to the receptor by stepwise frontal analysis. Molecular docking analysis demonstrated that ephedrine, chasmanine, and the other two compounds interact with β₂ -AR through the same pocket involving the key amino acids such as Asn312, Asp113, Phe289, Trp286, Tyr316, and Val114. As such, we reasoned that the four compounds dominate the therapeutic effect of MFXD against asthma through β₂ -AR mediating pathway. This work shed light on the potential of immobilized β₂ -AR for drug discovery and provided a valuable methodology for rapid screening.

Mahuang Xixin Fuzi decoction ameliorates apoptosis via the mitochondrial-mediated signaling pathway in MCM cells

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Mahuang Xixin Fuzi Decoction (MXF), as a classical prescription of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), has been used to treat the symptoms of fever, nasal congestion and headache in elderly people for almost a thousand years.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects and possible mechanisms of MXF on thermal stimulation-induced mouse cardiac myocytes (MCM) cell apoptosis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The apoptosis of the MCM cell model was induced by a PCR-calculated temperature control system with a gradual heating pattern at 43 °C for 1 h. The cytotoxic effects were determined using real-time cell analyzer (RTCA) technology. Annexin V-FITC/7-AAD staining, and JC-1 fluorescence were used to assess apoptosis. Specific substrates, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs), and Western blotting were used to identify proteins in the mitochondrial-mediated pathway. The identification of chemical components in the mouse heart was performed by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry analysis.

RESULTS

MXF inhibited apoptosis through the mitochondrial-mediated signaling pathway, including ameliorating ∆Ψm reduction, blocking mitochondrial Cyt C release, reducing Bax levels and increasing Bcl-2 levels, suppressing caspase-9 and caspase-3 activation in cytoplasmic fractions. Moreover, the components of MXF that act on the heart are mainly ephedra alkaloids and aconitine alkaloids.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings demonstrated that MXF treatment markedly reduced MCM cell apoptosis induced by thermal stimulation, which may be ascribed to the mitochondrial-mediated signaling pathway.

Identification and quantification of eight alkaloids in Aconitum heterophyllum using UHPLC-DAD-QTOF-IMS: A valuable tool for quality control

INTRODUCTION

Aconitum spp. are prime medicinal plants rich in alkaloids and have been used as the main constituents of traditional medicine in India and China. The whole plant can be toxic and creates pathophysiological conditions inside the human body. Therefore, simultaneous quantification of alkaloids within plant parts and herbal medicines associated with this genus is essential for quality control.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to develop and validate methods using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-diode array detector-quadrupole time-of-flight ion mobility mass spectrometry (UHPLC-DAD-QTOF-IMS) and to develop an analytical strategy for the identification and quantification of alkaloid compounds (aconitine, hypaconitine, mesaconitine, aconine, benzoylmesaconitine, benzoylaconine, bulleyaconitine A, and deoxyaconitine) from Aconitum heterophyllum.

METHODOLOGY

We developed a simultaneous identification and quantification method for eight alkaloids using UHPLC-DAD-QTOF-IMS. The method was validated as per International Council for Harmonization of Technical Requirements for Pharmaceuticals for Human Use (ICH) guidelines and also in IMS mode.

RESULTS

The developed method has good linearity (r²  = 0.997-0.999), LOD (0.63-8.31 μg/mL), LOQ (0.63-2.80 μg/mL), recovery (86.01-104.33%), reproducibility, intra- and inter-day variability (<3.25%), and stability. Significant qualitative and quantitative variations were found among different plant parts (flower, leaf, stem, root, and tuber) and five market products of A. heterophyllum. Furthermore, a total of 21 metabolites were also profiled based on the fragmentation pattern of MS² using the validated method.

CONCLUSION

An appropriate mobile phase using acetonitrile and water in a gradient elution gave a satisfactory chromatographic separation of eight Aconitum alkaloids with their adjacent peaks. Therefore, this method could provide a scientific and technical platform for quality control assurance.

A multidimensional strategy to rapidly identify the chemical constituents in Shengxian Decoction by using ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with ion mobility spectrometry quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry

As a well-known traditional Chinese medicine formula, the chemical constituents of Shengxian Decoction still remain unclear due to its complexity. In this study, a multidimensional strategy based on ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with ion mobility spectrometry quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry and informatics UNIFI™ platform was applied to achieve rapid and comprehensive identification of the complex composition of Shengxian Decoction. Data-independent acquisition, fast data-directed analysis, and high-definition MS^E were used to obtain more and cleaner mass spectrum information. As a result, a total of 120 compounds including 74 saponins, 17 flavonoids,7 cinnamic acid derivatives, 8 triterpenoids and 14 others were identified or tentatively characterized by high-resolution molecular mass, fragment ions, and collision cross-section values. Furthermore, high-definition MS^E was used to identify six pairs of co-eluting isomers that could not be detected from conventional data-independent acquisition and data-independent acquisition. This research strategy has a certain potential for the analysis of other Compound formulae and lays the foundation for the study of traditional Chinese medicine efficacy. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Establishment of a High Content Image Platform to Measure NF-κB Nuclear Translocation in LPS-Induced RAW264.7 Macrophages for Screening Anti-inflammatory Drug Candidates

BACKGROUND

High content image (HCI), an automatic imaging and analysis system, provides a fast drug screening method by detecting the subcellular distribution of protein in intact cells.

OBJECTIVE

This study established the first standardized HCI platform for lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW264.7 macrophages to screen anti-inflammatory compounds by measuring nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) nuclear translocation.

METHOD

The influence of the cell passages, cell density, LPS induction time and concentration, antibody dilution, serum, dimethyl sulfoxide and analysis parameters on NF-κB nuclear translocation and HCI data quality was optimized. The BAY-11-7085, the positive control for inhibiting NF-κB and Western blot assay were separately employed to verify the stability and reliability of the platform. Lastly, the effect of BHA on NO release, iNOS expression, IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α mRNA in LPS-induced RAW264.7 cells was detected.

RESULTS

The optimal conditions for measuring NF-κB translocation in LPS-induced RAW264.7 cells by HCI were established. Cells that do not exceed 22 passages were seeded at a density of 10 k cells/well and pretreated with compounds following 200 ng/mL LPS for 40 min. Parameters including nuclear area of 65 μm2, cell area of 80 μm2, collar of 0.9 μm and sensitivity of 25% were recommended for image segmentation algorithms in the analysis workstation. Benzoylhypaconine from aconite was screened for the first time as an anti-inflammatory candidate by the established HCI platform. The inhibitory effect of benzoylhypaconine on NF-κB translocation was verified by Western blot. Furthermore, benzoylhypaconine reduced the release of NO, inhibited the expression of iNOS, decreased the mRNA levels of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α.

CONCLUSION

The established HCI platform could be applied to screen anti-inflammatory compounds by measuring the NF-κB nuclear translocation in LPS-induced RAW264.7 cells.

Progress in Traditional Chinese Medicine Against Respiratory Viruses: A Review

Respiratory viruses, such as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV)-1, SARS-CoV-2, influenza A viruses, and respiratory syncytial virus, pose a serious threat to society. Based on the guiding principles of “holism” and “syndrome differentiation and treatment”, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has unique advantages in the treatment of respiratory virus diseases owing to the synergistic effect of multiple components and targets, which prevents drug resistance from arising. According to TCM theory, there are two main strategies in antiviral treatments, namely “dispelling evil” and “fu zheng”. Dispelling evil corresponds to the direct inhibition of virus growth and fu zheng corresponds to immune regulation, inflammation control, and tissue protection in the host. In this review, current progress in using TCMs against respiratory viruses is summarized according to modern biological theories. The prospects for developing TCMs against respiratory viruses is discussed to provide a reference for the research and development of innovative TCMs with multiple components, multiple targets, and low toxicity.

Rapid Profiling of Chemical Constituents in Qingfei Paidu Granules Using High Performance Liquid Chromatography Coupled with Q Exactive Mass Spectrometry

Qingfei Paidu (QFPD) granules have played a critical role during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in China. However, worldwide acceptance has been a problem because of the complex ingredients and unique theory of treatment. In this study, high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)-Q Exactive Orbitrap-mass spectrometry (MS) and the Orbitrap traditional Chinese medicine library (OTCML) were used to investigate the chemical constituents of QFPD granules. By comparing retention times, masses, isotope ion patterns, and MS² profiles, 108 compounds were putatively identified using the OTCML combined with manual verification, including 12 alkaloids, 49 flavonoids, 13 terpenoids, 14 phenylpropanoids, 4 phenolic acids, 5 phenols, and 11 other phytochemicals. Of these compounds, 17 were confirmed using reference standards. In addition, representative compounds of these different chemical types were used as examples to analyze the fragmentation pathways and characteristic product ions. Moreover, 20 herbs within the QFPD granules were also identified to establish the sources of these chemical components. This is the first rapid profiling of the chemical constituents of QFPD granules using HPLC-Q Exactive Orbitrap-MS and yields valuable information for further quality control and mechanistic studies of QFPD granules.

Identification and Characterization of Chemical Constituents in HuaTanJiangQi Capsules by UPLC-QTOF-MS Method

BACKGROUND

HuaTanJiangQi (HTJQ) is a classical Chinese medicine compound preparation, mainly used for clinically treating and improving chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in China.

OBJECTIVE

To establish a rapid and efficient analytical method for the identification and characterization of chemical constituents in HTJQ based on ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-QTOF-MS).

METHOD

UPLC-QTOF-MS was used to rapidly separate and identify the chemical constituents of HTJQ via a gradient elution system. The accurate mass data of the protonated and deprotonated molecules and fragment ions were detected in positive and negative ion modes. Compounds of HTJQ can be identified and assigned by analyzing accurate mass measurements and ion fragmentation mechanisms and comparing them with a chemical compositions database.

RESULTS

A total of 61 compounds in HTJQ were separated and identified, including 14 flavonoids, 16 organic acids, four isothiocyanic acids, eight butyl phthalides, two alkaloids, 10 terpenoids, four methoxyphenols and furanocoumarins, and three other compounds. The chemical compounds of HTJQ were identified and elucidated comprehensively for the first time.

CONCLUSIONS

A rapid, accurate, and efficient UPLC-QTOF-MS method has been developed for the identification of chemical components and applied to simultaneously evaluate the quality and effectiveness of HTJQ.

HIGHLIGHTS

Systematic identification of chemical constituents in HTJQ can provide a scientific and reasonable basis for the application of HTJQ in the clinical treatment of COPD.

Chemical profiling of Huashi Baidu prescription, an effective anti-COVID-19 TCM formula, by UPLC-Q-TOF/MS

Huashi Baidu prescription (HSBDF), recommended in the Guideline for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) Pneumonia (On Trials, the Seventh Edition), was clinically used to treat severe corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) with cough, blood-stained sputum, inhibited defecation, red tongue etc. symptoms. This study was aimed to elucidate and profile the knowledge on its chemical constituents and the potential anti-inflammatory effect in vitro. In the study, the chemical constituents in extract of HSBDF were characterized by UPLC-Q-TOF/MS in both negative and positive modes, and the pro-inflammatory cytokines were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) to determine the effects of HSBDF in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. The results showed that a total of 217 chemical constituents were tentativedly characterized in HSBDF. Moreover, HSBDF could alleviate the expression levels of IL-6 and TNF-α in the cell models, indicating that the antiviral effects of HSBDF might be associated with regulation of the inflammatory cytokines production in RAW264.7 cells. We hope that the results could be served as the basic data for further study of HSBDF on anti-COVID-19 effect.

Simultaneous quantification of bioactive components in Chinese herbal spirits by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled to triple-quadrupole mass spectrometry (UHPLC-QQQ-MS/MS)

BACKGROUND

The Chinese medicinal wine made from herbal medicines became prevalent among Chinese people. The Chinese herbal spirit is composed of several herbal extracts, and has the certain health functions, such as anti-fatigue and immune regulation. The quality evaluation of Chinese herbal spirit is greatly challenged by the enormous and complex components with great structural diversity and wide range of concentration distribution.

METHODS

An ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled to triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (UHPLC-QQQ-MS/MS) with multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) method was developed to simultaneously determine forty-three bioactive components in the Chinese herbal spirits produced by year 2014 and 2018.

RESULTS

Quantitative results showed that 11 components, i.e.., puerarin (5), purpureaside C (7), daidzin (8), echinacoside (9), acteoside (15), epimedin B (22), epimedin C (23), icariin (24), eugenol (27), chikusetsusaponin iva (30) and Z-ligustilide (40), significantly decreased along with the increasing years of storage, while 5 compounds, i.e.., geniposidic acid (1), protocatechuic acid (2), crustecdysone (14), daidzein (18) and icariside I (35), were basically stable in all samples across the years.

CONCUSION

The established method allowing to simultaneously determined 43 components with wide structural diversity and trace amounts will facilitate the quality control research of Chinese herbal spirits.

A comprehensive quality evaluation of Fuzi and its processed product through integration of UPLC-QTOF/MS combined MS/MS-based mass spectral molecular networking with multivariate statistical analysis and HPLC-MS/MS

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata (the Chinese name is Fuzi, FZ), the lateral or daughter root of Aconitum carmichaelii Debx. (Ranunculaceae), is a controversial traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) that is universally distributed and applied in many countries, such as China, Japan, Korea, and India. FZ can be used to treat various diseases, including rheumatic fever, rheumatism, painful joints, syncope, collapse, bronchial asthma, some endocrinal disorders, etc. However, quality control and assessment of FZ are challenging due to its obvious and high toxicological risks, and only its processed products are allowed to be used clinically according to the relative safety regulations. Consequently, it is necessary to analyze the whole chemical composition and the dynamic changes of FZ before and after processing. Addressing the changes in the chemical substance of raw and processed products is a way to reduce toxicity.

AIM OF THE STUDY

In this article, the whole chemical composition of FZ is analyzed, the differences between raw and processed FZ are evaluated, and possible factors that influence the reduced toxicity of processed FZ are explained from the perspective of its chemical composition using qualitative and quantitative analysis methods.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A novel strategy of multiple data collection and processing based on ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with a quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-QTOF/MS) method in the positive ion mode, together with Global Natural Product Social Molecular Networking (GNPS) and multivariate statistical analysis, was established to systematically identify the chemical constituents of FZ and comprehensively investigate the chemical markers that can be used to differentiate FZ processed with vinegar and honey from its raw product. Combined with the qualitative analysis results, 12 components, including 8 chemical marker compounds and 4 toxicity components, were quantitatively analyzed by using high-performance liquid chromatography equipped with triple-quadrupole mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS).

RESULTS

Using the molecular networking (MN) analysis method, a total of 145 compounds were identified, of which 13 were identified using reference compounds. Seventy seven chemical markers were also detected between raw and processed FZ. The identification results of the chemical markers were also verified by orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA). The quantitative results indicated that the contents of 12 important components all decreased, especially diester-diterpenoid alkaloids (DDAs), after processing.

CONCLUSION

The decrease of toxicity of FZ after processing is closely related to the changes in its chemical composition. The method developed in this study is a comprehensive analysis technique for quality assessment of FZ, and this study provides a useful and quick strategy to characterize chemical compounds of TCM and explore the different chemical markers between raw and processed Chinese herbal medicine.

Systematically explore the potential hepatotoxic material basis and molecular mechanism of Radix Aconiti Lateralis based on the concept of toxicological evidence chain (TEC)

Radix aconiti lateralis (Fuzi) is widely used in China as a traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of asthenia, pain and inflammation. However, its toxic alkaloids often lead to adverse reactions. Currently, most of the toxicity studies on Fuzi are focused on the heart and nervous system, and more comprehensive toxicity studies are needed. In this study, based on the previous reports of Fuzi hepatotoxicity, serum pharmacochemistry and network toxicology were used to screen the potential toxic components of Heishunpian(HSP), a processed product of Fuzi, and to explore the possible mechanism of HSP-induced hepatotoxicity. The results obtained are expressed based on the toxicological evidence chain (TEC). It was found that 22 potential toxic components screened can affect Th17 cell differentiation, Jak-STAT signaling pathway, glutathione metabolism, and other related pathways by regulating AKT1, IL2, F2, GSR, EGFR and other related targets, which induces oxidative stress, metabolic disorders, cell apoptosis, immune response, and excessive release of inflammatory factors, eventually inducing liver damage in rats. This is the first study on HSP-induced hepatotoxicity based on the TEC concept, providing references for further studies on the toxicity mechanism of Fuzi.

Chemical characterisation and quantification of the major constituents in the Chinese herbal formula Jian-Pi-Yi-Shen pill by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS and HPLC-QQQ-MS/MS

INTRODUCTION

Jian-Pi-Yi-Shen pill (JPYSP) is a Chinese medicine formula developed for the treatment of anaemic patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD).

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the chemical profile of JPYSP in the treatment of renal anaemia.

METHODS

A method coupling ultra-performance liquid chromatography with quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS) was established to characterise the chemical constituents present in JPYSP. Subsequently, a high-performance liquid chromatography method coupled with triple-quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-QQQ-MS/MS) was developed to quantify the major constituents from the identified compounds related to the treatment of CKD and anaemia.

RESULTS

A total of 71 compounds were tentatively identified from JPYSP, including saponins, flavonoids, sesquiterpenoids, coumarins, phenylpropanoids, anthranones, anthraquinones, tannins, phenolic acids and others. Amongst them, 12 compounds (i.e. astragaloside IV, calycosin, calycosin 7-O-glucoside, salvianolic acid A, rosmarinic acid, rhein, liquiritin, formononetin, atractylenolide I, dioscin, tanshinone IIA, and acteoside) were further quantified simultaneously by HPLC-QQQ-MS/MS.

CONCLUSION

The newly developed approach is suitable for the chemical profiling analysis and quality control of JPYSP, and could lead to additional pharmacodynamic studies involving the components of JPYSP.

Interpol review of controlled substances 2016-2019

This review paper covers the forensic-relevant literature in controlled substances from 2016 to 2019 as a part of the 19th Interpol International Forensic Science Managers Symposium. The review papers are also available at the Interpol website at: https://www.interpol.int/content/download/14458/file/Interpol%20Review%20Papers%202019.pdf.

Secretory IgA in Mucosa of Pharynx and Larynx Plays an Important Role against Influenza A Virus Infection in Kidney Yang Deficiency Syndrome Model

OBJECTIVE

Influenza virus poses a major threat to human health and has serious morbidity and mortality which commonly occurs in high-risk populations. Pharynx and larynx of the upper respiratory tract mucosa is the first defense line against influenza virus infection. However, the ability of the pharynx and larynx organ to eliminate the influenza pathogen is still not clear under different host conditions.

METHODS

In this study, a mouse model of kidney yang deficiency syndrome (KYDS) was used to mimic high-risk peoples. Two different methods of influenza A (H1N1) virus infection by nasal dropping or tracheal intubation were applied to these mice, which were divided into four groups: normal intubation (NI) group, normal nasal dropping (ND) group, model intubation (MI) group, and model nasal dropping (MD) group. The normal control (NC) group was used as a negative control. Body weight, rectal temperature, and survival rate were observed every day. Histopathologic changes, visceral index, gene expressions of H1N1, cytokine expressions, secretory IgA (SIgA) antibodies of tracheal lavage fluids in the upper respiratory tract, and bronchoalveolar lavage fluids were analyzed by ELISA.

RESULTS

The MD group had an earlier serious morbidity and mortality than the others. MI and NI groups became severe only in the 6th to 7th day after infection. The index of the lung increased significantly in NI, MI, and MD groups. Conversely, indices of the thymus and spleen increased significantly in NC and ND groups. H&E staining showed severe tissue lesions in MD, MI, and NI groups. H1N1 gene expressions were higher in the MD group compared with the MI group on the 3rd day; however, the MD group decreased significantly on the 7th day. IL-6 levels increased remarkably, and SIgA expressions decreased significantly in the MD group compared with the NC group.

CONCLUSIONS

SIgA secretions are influenced directly by different conditions of the host in the pharynx and larynx in the upper respiratory tract mucosa. In the KYDS virus disease mode, SIgA expressions could be inhibited severely, which leads to serious morbidity and mortality after influenza A virus infection. The SIgA expressions of the pharynx and larynx would be an important target in high-risk populations against the influenza A virus for vaccine or antiviral drugs research.

Mahuang-Fuzi-Xixin Decoction Reverses Depression-Like Behavior in LPS-Induced Mice by Regulating NLRP3 Inflammasome and Neurogenesis

Evidence suggests that inflammation and neurogenesis play an important role in major depressive disorder (MDD). Mahuang-Fuzi-Xixin decoction (MFX), as the traditional Chinese prescription, has been widely applied for asthma, migraine, and MDD in clinics. However, the effects of MFX on the potential mechanism in MDD are still unclear. Hence, the present study is aimed at exploring whether the antidepressive effect of MFX is connected to the anti-inflammatory and promoting neurogenesis. Besides, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) of Gram-negative bacteria can induce depressive-like behaviors. We demonstrated that administration of MFX corrected the depressive-like behaviors in LPS-induced mice and significantly decreased the expression of IL-1β in the hippocampus. LPS injection induced a significant increase in the levels of NLRP3, cleaved caspase-1 p20, and ASC in the hippocampus, as well as Trx-interacting protein (TXNIP), and MFX could reverse this change. What is more, treatment of MFX increased the level of doublecortin (DCX), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and tropomyosin-related kinase receptor B (TrkB) in the hippocampus which means that MFX could promote the neurogenesis. In conclusion, the study indicates that MFX relieves a depressive-like state in LPS-induced mice through the inhibition of the NLRP3 inflammasome and the enhancement of the neurogenesis pathway.

Simultaneous Analysis of Twelve Bile Acids by UPLC-MS and Exploration of the Processing Mechanism of Bile Arisaema by Fermentation

Ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry (Q/TOF-MS) in the MS/MS mode and UPLC coupled with triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (QqQ-MS) using the multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode were used to make a qualitative and quantitative analysis of twelve bile acids in Bile Arisaema. The fragmentation pathway of twelve bile acids was proposed. The quantification method showed a good linearity over a wide concentration range (R ² > 0.99), repeatability (RSD < 4.12%), stability (RSD < 4.25%), precision (RSD < 4.06%), and recovery (95.36-102.15%). Content of twelve compounds in Bile Arisaema varied significantly depending on region. Chemometric methods, hierarchical clustering analysis (HCA), and principal components analysis (PCA) were successfully used to optimize the fermentation time of the Bile Arisaema. The results suggested that the Bile Arisaema could complete fermentation in 15 days. The possible processing mechanism of Bile Arisaema promoted the transformation of conjugated bile acids into free bile acids in fermentation.

Quantitative determination of talatisamine and its pharmacokinetics and bioavailability in mouse plasma by UPLC-MS/MS

Talatisamine, as the efficacy ingredient of Aconitum, was known as a novel specific blocker for the delayed rectifier K⁺ channels in rat hippocampal neurons. In this study, a rapid, selective and reproducible UPLC-MS/MS separation method was established and fully validated for the quantitative determination of talatisamine levels in ICR (Institute of Cancer Research) mouse blood. A total of 24 healthy male ICR mice were divided into four groups that was administered talatisamine via intravenous at a dose of 1 mg/kg and oral administration of three doses (2, 4, 8 mg/kg). All blood samples were protein precipitate by using acetonitrile with an internal standard (IS) deltaline. The effective chromatographic separation was carried out through an UPLC BEH C18 analytical column (2.1 mm × 50 mm, 1.7 μm) with an initial mobile phase that consisted of acetonitrile and 10 mmol/L ammonium acetate aqueous solution (containing 0.1% formic acid) with a gradient elution pumped at a flow rate of 0.4 mL/min. Also, an electrospray ionization (ESI) was applied to quantify the talatisamine in the positive ions mode. The method validation demonstrated good linearity over the range of 1-1000 ng/mL (r² ≥ 0.9993) for talatisamine in mouse blood with a lower limit of quantification (LLOQ) at 1 ng/mL. The accuracy values of the method were within 89.4% to 113.3%, and the matrix effects were between 103.2% and 106.3%. The mean extraction recoveries for talatisamine obtained from four concentrations of QC blood samples were exceeded 71.7%, and the relative standard deviation (RSD) both of intra- and inter-day precision values for replicate quality control samples did not exceed 15% respectively for all analytes during the assay validation. This method was successfully applied to the evaluation of the pharmacokinetic of talatisamine, regardless of intragastric or intravenous administration in mice. Based on the pharmacokinetics data, the bioavailability of talatisamine in mice was >65.0% after oral administration, exhibiting an excellent oral absorption.

Novel applications of mass spectrometry-based metabolomics in herbal medicines and its active ingredients: Current evidence

Current evidence shows that herbal medicines could be beneficial for the treatment of various diseases. However, the complexities present in chemical compositions of herbal medicines are currently an obstacle for the progression of herbal medicines, which involve unclear bioactive compounds, mechanisms of action, undetermined targets for therapy, non-specific features for drug metabolism, etc. To overcome those issues, metabolomics can be a great to improve and understand herbal medicines from the small-molecule metabolism level. Metabolomics could solve scientific difficulties with herbal medicines from a metabolic perspective, and promote drug discovery and development. In recent years, mass spectrometry-based metabolomics was widely applied for the analysis of herbal constituents in vivo and in vitro. In this review, we highlight the value of mass spectrometry-based metabolomics and metabolism to address the complexity of herbal medicines in systems pharmacology, and to enhance their biomedical value in biomedicine, to shed light on the aid that mass spectrometry-based metabolomics can offer to the investigation of its active ingredients, especially, to link phytochemical analysis with the assessment of pharmacological effect and therapeutic potential. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Mass Spec Rev.

Mass spectrometry-driven drug discovery for development of herbal medicine

Herbal medicine (HM) has made a major contribution to the drug discovery process with regard to identifying products compounds. Currently, more attention has been focused on drug discovery from natural compounds of HM. Despite the rapid advancement of modern analytical techniques, drug discovery is still a difficult and lengthy process. Fortunately, mass spectrometry (MS) can provide us with useful structural information for drug discovery, has been recognized as a sensitive, rapid, and high-throughput technology for advancing drug discovery from HM in the post-genomic era. It is essential to develop an efficient, high-quality, high-throughput screening method integrated with an MS platform for early screening of candidate drug molecules from natural products. We have developed a new chinmedomics strategy reliant on MS that is capable of capturing the candidate molecules, facilitating their identification of novel chemical structures in the early phase; chinmedomics-guided natural product discovery based on MS may provide an effective tool that addresses challenges in early screening of effective constituents of herbs against disease. This critical review covers the use of MS with related techniques and methodologies for natural product discovery, biomarker identification, and determination of mechanisms of action. It also highlights high-throughput chinmedomics screening methods suitable for lead compound discovery illustrated by recent successes.

Traditional Chinese Medicine for Bradyarrhythmia: Evidence and Potential Mechanisms

Importance: The incidence of Bradyarrhythmias is high among the population. However, at early stages of the disease, it cannot always get enough attention and is lack of safe and effective therapies, until it is serious enough to resort to pacemaker implantation. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has a long history of treating Bradyarrhythmia, with a lot of formulas being widely used in clinical practice. While the effectiveness and the underlying mechanisms of these formulas have not yet been clearly identified.

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of some common TCM formulas in treating patients with Bradyarrhythmia and to summarize the current evidence as to their mechanisms.

Data Sources: Relevant studies were identified by searching for papers published from January 2000 to August 2017 in Pubmed; EMBASE; the Cochrane Library (Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials); the China National Knowledge Internet; and the China biology medicine, Wanfang, and VIP databases. The following medical subject heading (MeSH) terms were included for Pubmed search and adapted for other databases as needed-“Medicine, Chinese Traditional,” “Bradycardia.”

Study Selection: Randomized clinical trials investigating treatment outcomes in Bradyarrhythmia patients with one of the six TCM formulas (Shenxian-shengmai oral liquid, Shensong Yangxin capsule, XinBao pill, Mahuang-Fuzi-Xixin decoction, Zhigancao decoction and Shengmai injection).

Data Extraction and Synthesis: Two independent reviewers performed the data extraction and assessed study quality. A meta-analysis was performed to calculate risk ratio (RR) and 95% confidence index (CI) using random-effects and fixed-effects model.

Results: A total of 121 clinical trials with 11138 patients were included. Of the six TCM formulas, SXSM (RR:1.33, 95% CI 1.27 to 1.39, P < 0.00001), SSYX (RR:1.52, 95% CI 1.40 to 1.66, P < 0.00001), XB can be more effective than common treatment (RR 1.18, 95% CI 1.11 to 1.26, P < 0.00001), as well as placebo (RR 5.33, 95% CI 2.88-9.87, P < 0.00001), but less effective than TCM dialectical therapy (RR:0.75, 95% CI 0.68 to 0.82, P < 0.00001). Compared to the control group, MFX (RR:1.30, 95%CI 1.23 to 1.37, P < 0.00001), ZGC (RR:1.35, 95%CI 1.23 to 1.48, P < 0.00001), SMI (RR:1.36, 95%CI 1.21 to 1.52, P < 0.00001) can be more effective. The overall quality of the included trials were relatively low, with the limitations of small sample size, inadequate descriptions in randomization, allocation concealment and blinding methods.

Conclusions and Relevance: There are evidence that some TCM formulas might help to relieve Bradyarrhythmias. But with the relatively low quality of the clinical trials and mechanism studies, we still need more high-quality researches to verify the conclusions.

Recent advances and effective strategies in the discovery and applications of natural products

Natural products are the most representative form of conventional therapy as compared to any other traditional or alternative medicine systems.

Comparative analysis of main bio-active components in the herb pair Danshen-Honghua and its single herbs by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled to triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry

A sensitive, reliable, and powerful ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled to triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry method was developed for simultaneous quantification of the 15 main bio-active components including phenolic acids and flavonoids within 13 min for the first time. The proposed method was first reported and validated by good linearity (r²  > 0.9975), limit of detection (1.12-7.01 ng/mL), limit of quantification (3.73-23.37 ng/mL), intra- and inter-day precisions (RSD ≤ 1.92%, RSD ≤ 2.45%), stability (RSD ≤ 5.63%), repeatability (RSD ≤ 4.34%), recovery (96.84-102.12%), and matrix effects (0.92-1.02). The established analytical methodology was successfully applied to comparative analysis of main bio-active components in the herb pair Danshen-Honghua and its single herbs. Compared to the single herb, the content of most flavonoid glycosides was remarkably increased in their herb pair, and main phenolic acids were decreased, conversely. The content changes of the main components in the herb pair supported the synergistic effects on promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis. The results provide a scientific basis and reference for the quality control of Danshen-Honghua herb pair and the drug interactions based on variation of bio-active components in herb pairs.

Chemical profiling analysis of Maca using UHPLC-ESI-Orbitrap MS coupled with UHPLC-ESI-QqQ MS and the neuroprotective study on its active ingredients

Lepidium meyenii (Maca), originated from Peru, has been cultivated widely in China as a popular health care food. However, the chemical and effective studies of Maca were less in-depth, which restricted its application seriously. To ensure the quality of Maca, a feasible and accurate strategy was established. One hundred and sixty compounds including 30 reference standards were identified in 6 fractions of methanol extract of Maca by UHPLC-ESI-Orbitrap MS. Among them, 15 representative active compounds were simultaneously determined in 17 samples by UHPLC-ESI-QqQ MS. The results suggested that Maca from Yunnan province was the potential substitute for the one from Peru. Meanwhile, the neuroprotective effects of Maca were investigated. Three fractions and two pure compounds showed strong activities in the 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1, 2, 3, 6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-induced zebrafish model. Among them, 80% methanol elution fraction (Fr5) showed significant neuroprotective activity, followed by 100% part (Fr6). The inhibition of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) was a possible mechanism of its neuroprotective effect.

The Applications and Features of Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry in the Analysis of Traditional Chinese Medicine

With increasingly improved separation of complex samples and detection of unknown material capabilities, liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (LC-MS) has been widely used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) research. This article describes the principles of liquid chromatography (LC) and mass spectrometry (MS) and their advantages and disadvantages in qualitative and quantitative analysis of TCM. We retrieved research literatures about the application of LC-MS in TCM published during the past five years at home and abroad. To better guide the analysis of TCM, this review mainly focuses on the applications category of LC-MS, how often different kinds of LC-MS are used, and the qualitative and quantitative ability of various LC-MS in the study of TCM.