Elucidation of Pharmacological Mechanism Underlying the Anti-Alzheimer's Disease Effects of Evodia rutaecarpa and Discovery of Novel Lead Molecules: An In Silico Study

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a brain disease with a peculiarity of multiformity and an insidious onset. Multiple-target drugs, especially Chinese traditional medicine, have achieved a measure of success in AD treatment. Evodia rutaecarpa (Juss.) Benth. (Wuzhuyu, WZY, i.e., E. rutaecarpa), a traditional Chinese herb, has been identified as an effective drug to cure migraines. To our surprise, our in silico study showed that rather than migraines, Alzheimer's disease was the primary disease to which the E. rutaecarpa active compounds were targeted. Correspondingly, a behavioral experiment showed that E. rutaecarpa extract could improve impairments in learning and memory in AD model mice. However, the mechanism underlying the way that E. rutaecarpa compounds target AD is still not clear. For this purpose, we employed methods of pharmacology networking and molecular docking to explore this mechanism. We found that E. rutaecarpa showed significant AD-targeting characteristics, and alkaloids of E. rutaecarpa played the main role in binding to the key nodes of AD. Our research detected that E. rutaecarpa affects the pathologic development of AD through the serotonergic synapse signaling pathway (SLC6A4), hormones (PTGS2, ESR1, AR), anti-neuroinflammation (SRC, TNF, NOS3), transcription regulation (NR3C1), and molecular chaperones (HSP90AA1), especially in the key nodes of PTGS2, AR, SLCA64, and SRC. Graveoline, 5-methoxy-N, N-dimethyltryptamine, dehydroevodiamine, and goshuyuamide II in E. rutaecarpa show stronger binding affinities to these key proteins than currently known preclinical and clinical drugs, showing a great potential to be developed as lead molecules for treating AD.

The attenuation effect of licorice on the hepatotoxicity of Euodiae Fructus by inhibiting the formation of protein conjugates and GSH depletion

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

As a traditional Chinese medicine and food, Euodiae Fructus (EF) is widely used in clinics to relieve pain and prevent vomiting and for making tea for more than a thousand years. In recent years, hepatotoxic reactions to EF have been reported. The intermediates produced by evodiamine and rutaecarpine metabolism in vitro were captured by glutathione (GSH), suggesting that the toxicity of EF may be related to metabolic activation. Whether licorice can inhibit the metabolic activation of EF has not been reported, which needed an effective strategy to clarify the correlation between protein conjugates and hepatotoxicity and the attenuation mechanism of licorice processing.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study aimed to explore the toxic components and mechanisms of EF based on metabolic activation and the detoxification of licorice.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The content and toxicity index of protein conjugates in the liver were determined by orally administering mice and rats with EF. The attenuation mechanism of licorice was examined in cell and enzymology experiments.

RESULTS

The change in evodiamine-cysteinylglycine (EVO-Cys-Gly) and evodiamine-cysteine (EVO-Cys) levels was consistent with the change in hepatotoxicity. Licorice inhibited the formation of the protein conjugates of EF and increased the content of GSH in L02 cells.

CONCLUSION

EF mediated by P450 enzymes produced toxic intermediates, which combined with cysteine residues in animal liver and inactivate them, leading to hepatotoxicity. Interestingly, licorice can alleviate the GSH depletion caused by EF and inhibit the production of protein conjugates by inhibiting P450 enzymes.

Effect of CYP3A inducer/inhibitor and licorice on hepatotoxicity and in vivo metabolism of main alkaloids of Euodiae Fructus based on UPLC-Q-Exactive-MS

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

As a traditional Chinese medicine, Euodiae Fructus (EF) has been used to treat stomachache, belching, and emesis for more than a thousand years. Ancient records and modern research have shown that EF has mild toxicity, which needs to be processed with licorice juice to reduce its toxicity. Research suggested that the toxicity of EF can be caused by in vivo metabolism, but whether its metabolites are related to hepatotoxicity and whether licorice can affect the metabolism of EF have not been reported, which needed an effective strategy to clarify the correlation between metabolites and toxicity and the attenuation mechanism of licorice processing.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The poisonous substances and metabolic pathways were clarified by comparing the mechanism in vivo process of the main alkaloids of EF in normal rats and rats treated with dexamethasone (DXMS), ketoconazole (KTC), and EF processed with licorice (EFP).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Rats were given EF and EFP by oral administration, respectively. The EF + DXMS and EF + KTC groups were pretreated with DXMS and KTC, respectively, by i. p. for seven days, and their toxicity differences were compared. The comprehensive strategy based on UPLC-Q-Exactive-MS and Orthogonal Partial Least Squares Discriminant Analysis was developed to compare the types and contents of metabolites and clarify the metabolic pathways of alkaloids among EF, EFP, EF + KTC, and EF + DXMS groups.

RESULTS

EF + DXMS group significantly increased the hepatotoxicity, whereas the EF + KTC and EFP groups reduced the hepatotoxicity compared with the EF group. One hundred and thirty-five metabolites were detected, and the metabolic pathways of the main alkaloid components related to toxicity were inferred in the plasma, urine, feces, and bile of rats. KTC and licorice similarly inhibited the production of toxic metabolites, changed metabolism in vivo, and produced many new II and a few phases I metabolites, while the contents of toxic metabolites increased in the DXMS group.

CONCLUSION

Licorice and KTC could inhibit the production of metabolites of EF related to toxicity, increase the production of other metabolites and promote the excretion of alkaloids, which may be why licorice and KTC can minimize EF toxicity.

Traditional Chinese medicine Euodiae Fructus: botany, traditional use, phytochemistry, pharmacology, toxicity and quality control

Euodiae Fructus, referred to as "Wuzhuyu" in Chinese, has been used as local and traditional herbal medicines in many regions, especially in China, Japan and Korea, for the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders, headache, emesis, aphtha, dermatophytosis, dysentery, etc. Substantial investigations into their chemical and pharmacological properties have been performed. Recently, interest in this plant has been focused on the different structural types of alkaloids like evodiamine, rutaecarpine, dehydroevodiamine and 1-methyl-2-undecyl-4(1H)-quinolone, which exhibit a wide range of pharmacological activities in preclinical models, such as anticancer, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-cardiovascular disease, etc. This review summarizes the up-to-date and comprehensive information concerning the botany, traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology of Euodiae Fructus together with the toxicology and quality control, and discusses the possible direction and scope for future research on this plant.

Chromatographic and mass spectrometric technologies for chemical analysis of Euodiae fructus: A review

INTRODUCTION

Euodiae fructus, also known as Evodiae fructus, is a popular Chinese herbal medicine derived from the dried, nearly ripe fruits of Tetradium ruticarpum (A. Juss.) T. G. Hartley. The main bioactive constituents of Euodiae fructus are alkaloids, limonoids, flavonoids, and anthraquinones. The contents of these compounds vary greatly between different plant species, geographic locations, and harvest times, which thus affect the therapeutic effects.

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to summarize the chromatographic and mass spectrometric technologies applied for chemical analysis and quality evaluation of Euodiae fructus. Moreover, we aimed to emphasize the diverse soft ionization techniques and mass analyzers of LC-MS methods for assessment of Euodiae fructus.

METHODOLOGY

A literature study was carried out by retrieving articles published between January 1988 and December 2021 from well-known databases, including PubMed, ASC, Elsevier, ScienceDirect, J·STAGE, Thieme, Taylor & Francis, Springer Link, Wiley Online Library, and CNKI. The chemical analysis methods were described in several categories in accordance with the used analytical techniques, including thin-layer chromatography (TLC), high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS), gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), capillary electrophoresis (CE), and counter-current chromatography (CCC).

RESULTS

This review systematically summarizes the achievements in chemical analysis and quality evaluation of Euodiae fructus published in over three decades, covering the various chromatographic and mass spectrometric technologies applied for identification and quantification of phytochemical constituents.

CONCLUSION

The summary serves as an important basis for future phytochemical research and implementation of quality control methods in order to ensure the efficacy and safety of Euodiae fructus.

Spectrum-effect relationship between HPLC fingerprint and antioxidant of "San-Bai Decoction" extracts

"San-Bai Decoction" (SBD) has been a traditional Chinese medicine compound preparation for replenishing Qi and promoting blood circulation, whitening skin, and removing blemishes since ancient times. However, its chemical composition and antioxidant activity are not clear thus far, which limits the in-depth study on its pharmacodynamic material basis and efficacy. The objective of this study was to establish the fingerprint profile of SBD, assess its antioxidant activity by measuring 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging ability, and find the spectrum-effect relationship of SBD by Grey Relation Analysis (GRA) and Partial Least Squares Regression (PLS). In this study, the fingerprint of SBD was established by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and 20 common peaks were found, among which 6 peaks were designated. The similarities between the fingerprints of 12 batches of SBD and the reference fingerprint (R) were all greater than 0.900. Meanwhile, the antioxidant activities of all batches were concentration-dependent in their linear regression equation. The result of GRA showed that the correlation order of 20 common peaks for DPPH radical scavenging was X13 > X7 > X3 > X6 > X10 > X11 > X4 > X12 > X2 > X18 > X9 > X5 > X19 > X1 > X20 > X16 > X17 > X15 > X8 > X14. At the same time, PLS study demonstrated that the contribution of six identified characteristic peaks to DPPH radical scavenging ability was X1 = X7 > X6 > X19 > X20 > X16. In this study, the spectrum-effect relationship of SBD between its HPLC fingerprint and the antioxidant activity can be used to screen the pharmacodynamic substance basis of its antioxidant action and lay the foundation for establishing quality standards and product development.

Untargeted LC-MS/MS-Based Multi-Informative Molecular Networking for Targeting the Antiproliferative Ingredients in Tetradium ruticarpum Fruit

The fruit of Tetradium ruticarpum (TR) is commonly used in Chinese herbal medicine and it has known antiproliferative and antitumor activities, which can serve as a good source of functional ingredients. Although some antiproliferative compounds are reported to be present in TR fruit, most studies only focused on a limited range of metabolites. Therefore, in this study, the antiproliferative activity of different extracts of TR fruit was examined, and the potentially antiproliferative compounds were highlighted by applying an untargeted liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)-based multi-informative molecular networking strategy. The results showed that among different extracts of TR fruit, the EtOAc fraction F2-3 possessed the most potent antiproliferative activity against HL-60, T24, and LX-2 human cell lines. Through computational tool-aided structure prediction and integrating various data (sample taxonomy, antiproliferative activity, and compound identity) into a molecular network, a total of 11 indole alkaloids and 47 types of quinolone alkaloids were successfully annotated and visualized into three targeted bioactive molecular families. Within these families, up to 25 types of quinolone alkaloids were found that were previously unreported in TR fruit. Four indole alkaloids and five types of quinolone alkaloids were targeted as potentially antiproliferative compounds in the EtOAc fraction F2-3, and three (evodiamine, dehydroevodiamine, and schinifoline) of these targeted alkaloids can serve as marker compounds of F2-3. Evodiamine was verified to be one of the major antiproliferative compounds, and its structural analogues discovered in the molecular network were found to be promising antitumor agents. These results exemplify the application of an LC-MS/MS-based multi-informative molecular networking strategy in the discovery and annotation of bioactive compounds from complex mixtures of potential functional food ingredients.

Cytotoxicity evaluation and metabolism of hepatotoxicity components of Euodiae Fructus in L02 cells

Euodiae Fructus (EF), the dried unripe scented fruit of Euodia rutaecarpa (Juss.) Benth., was reported to show anti-hypertensive, antitumor, and anti-obesity effects. The main alkaloids of EF were reported as the reason for toxicity of EF by metabolic activation majority through CYP3A. Up till the present moment, the cytotoxicity mechanisms of EF have not yet to be fully clarified. For the purposes of this article, the influence of CYP3A inducer and inhibitor on cytotoxicity of EF and metabolism in L02 cells of five alkaloids related to toxicity of EF were evaluated. The results indicated that CYP3A inducer aggravated the toxicity and CYP3A inhibitor alleviated the toxicity. UPLC-Q-Exactive-MS was used for the identification of five alkaloids of EF in L02 cells. A total of 13 metabolites were detected in L02 cells. In general, five alkaloids were widely metabolized in L02 cells such as oxygenation, demethylation, dehydrogenation, and etc. In addition, oxygenation was the main metabolic pathway. It was inferred that the toxicity of EF was closely related to the CYP3A and the metabolic intermediate might be one of the reasons for the toxicity of EF. Hence, the choice of optimal dose might be critical to avoid the adverse reactions owing to combination of EF and CYP3A inducer.

UPLC-Q-Exactive-MS analysis for hepatotoxicity components of Evodiae Fructus based on spectrum-toxicity relationship

Evodiae Fructus (EF) is generally divided into three categories: small flower EF (SEF), medium flower EF (MEF) and big flower EF (BEF) in commodity circulation according to the size of the fruit. It is a well-known and frequently used herbal medicine for treating gastrointestinal disorder-related stomachache and headache, which has aroused wide attention for its hepatotoxicity. However, reports about hepatotoxicity is controversial and hepatotoxic components are inconclusive. The study aimed to explain the controversial hepatotoxicity of EF and screen the components associated with hepatotoxicity of EF based on the spectrum-toxicity relationship. UPLC fingerprints of 39 batches of EF collected from different regions were established. Combined with the results of L02 cell viability assays, the spectrum-toxicity relationship was investigated on the basic of orthogonal partial least squares (OPLS). The results of the research demonstrated that the toxicity of EF was obviously various among the different categories, in particularly, SEF was with less toxicity, MEF except for adulterants and BEF had mild toxicity and adulterants of MEF (A-MEF) produced more damage to L02 cell and no regions specificity in hepatotoxicity of EF. Thereinto, samples, the contents of which do not meet the requirements of Chinese Pharmacopoeia, were adulterants. It was worth noting that P11, P17, P20 and P25 were closely related to hepatotoxicity of EF and they were respectively identified as limonin (LIM), evodiamine (EVO), 1-methyl-2-nonyl-4(1H)-quinolone (MNQ), and 1-methyl-2-undecyl-4(1H)-quinolone (MUQ) by UPLC-Q-Exactive-MS. The hepatoprotection of P11 and hepatotoxicity of P17 were consistent with the results of spectrum-toxicity relationship. In summary, A-MEF was more toxic than other categories and SEF was less toxic than the others. It was noteworthy that EVO was the main hepatotoxic component of EF and LIM was the main hepatoprotective component of EF. The results provided worthy evidence for better utilization and development of EF.

Identification of compounds with antipyretic effects and anti-endotoxin activity in different species of Lonicera japonica using spectrum-effect correlation

Liquid chromatography (LC) is a common and straight forward approach used in the evaluation of the quality of Traditional Chinese Medicines (TCMs). Quality control is a critical step when systematically assessing the efficacy of TCMs. In the present study, the spectrum-effect correlation method was used to identify pharmacologically active substances. The aim of the present study was to investigate the underlying correlations between common chemical compounds with antipyretic effects and the anti-endotoxin activity of Lonicera japonica. The common chemical constituents of Lonicera japonica were analyzed using LC, and the antipyretic effects and anti-endotoxin activity were determined using ELISAs. Combining the results of bivariate and principal component analysis methods, eight active constituents were qualitatively and quantitatively analyzed. The results of these analyses indicated that neochlorogenic acid, chlorogenic acid, cryptochlorogenic acid and isochlorogenic acids A, B and C served a synergistic role with respect to antipyretic effects and anti-endotoxin activity. The present study lays a foundation for the future clinical use of Lonicera japonica.

CYP3A4 inducer aggravates big flower Evodiae Fructus-induced hepatotoxicity whereas limonin attenuates its hepatotoxicity

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Evodiae Fructus (EF), the traditional Chinese medicine, has been typically used to treat headache, abdominal pain, hernias, and menorrhagia for thousands of years. It is a mild toxicity herb-medicine listed in Sheng Nong's Herbal Classic. Recently, EF was reported to have toxicity or no toxicity in some investigations. Toxicity and approaches to reducing toxicity of EF are of great interest. Limonin (LIM), a major triterpenoid component of EF, also had various pharmacological activities such as anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and antioxidant effects. However, little attention was paid to the role of LIM in EF-induced hepatotoxicity.

AIM OF STUDY

The study aimed to address the problem of controversial hepatotoxicity of EF, evaluate the role of CYP3A4 inducer/inhibitor in EF-induced hepatotoxicity and disclose the effect of LIM in EF-induced hepatotoxicity.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The chemical compositions and hepatotoxicity of small flower EF (SEF), medium flower EF (MEF), big flower EF (BEF) and the "organ knock-out" samples (the shell and seed part of BEF) were investigated. Simultaneously, C57BL-6 mice were randomly divided into four groups, which were given orally administered BEF, BEF in combination with dexamethasone (DEX), BEF in combination with ketoconazole (KTC), and BEF in combination with LIM, respectively.

RESULTS

In this study, more alkaloids and less LIM were detected in BEF compared with the compounds in SEF and MEF. Furthermore, we found that BEF group induced hepatotoxicity whereas no hepatotoxicity was observed in SEF and MEF groups. In addition, no LIM was detected in the shell part of BEF and five alkaloids were not detected in the seed part of BEF. Correspondingly, the shell part of BEF group induced hepatotoxicity whereas no hepatotoxicity was observed in the seed part of BEF group. It was also found that the BEF-induced hepatotoxicity was remarkably exacerbated when the mice were pretreated with DEX whereas the BEF-induced hepatotoxicity could be reversed by pretreatment with KTC or LIM.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on the results in this study, the misuse of BEF but not SEF and MEF could produce hepatotoxicity. The hepatotoxicity difference of different categories of EF might be associated with the relative contents of alkaloids and LIM. In addition, the results demonstrated that CYP3A4 inducer aggravated BEF-induced hepatotoxicity and LIM attenuated its hepatotoxicity.

Change in the active component of processed Tetradium ruticarpum extracts leads to improvement in efficacy and toxicity attenuation

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

The dried and nearly ripe fruits of Tetradium ruticarpum (A. Juss.) T.G. Hartley (TR) have long been used in treating headache and gastrointestinal disorders in oriental medicine. TR is usually processed by stir-frying with licorice extract before use. Although processing procedure is considered as the way to relieve pungent smell, reduce toxicity, and improve efficacy, its effects on TR's toxicity and efficacy and bioactive compound profiles are largely unknown.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The purposes of the study are to evaluate the acute toxicity, efficacy and variation of toxic and effective components of TR before and after processing, and to explore the possible mechanism of how the processing procedure affect the quality of TR as a herbal medicine.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Volatile oil, aqueous extract and ethanol extract of raw and processed TR were tested for their acute toxicity, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory effects in mouse models, respectively. To identify potential toxic and effective components, the extracts were analyzed with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and ultra-performance liquid chromatography - quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry, followed by fold-change-filtering analysis.

RESULTS

LD₅₀ and LD₅ tests indicated that although the aqueous extract has higher toxicity than volatile oil and ethanol extract, the use of TR is safe under the recommended does. The processing procedure could effectively decrease the toxicity of all three extracts with the largest decrease in volatile oil, which is likely due to the loss of volatile compounds during processing. Analgesic and anti-inflammatory studies suggested that volatile oil and ethanol extract of TR have better efficacy than the aqueous extract and the processing procedure significantly enhanced the efficacy of these two former extracts, whereas processing showed no substantially effects on the bioactivities of aqueous extract. Integrated analysis of animal trial and chromatographic analyses indicated that indole and quinolone type alkaloids, limonoids, amides and 18β-glycyrrhetinic acid were identified as the potential main contributors of TR's efficacy, whereas hydroxy or acetoxy limonoid derivates and coumarins could be the major causes of toxicity. Moreover, the reduced toxicity and improved efficacy of the processed TR are liked due to the licorice ingredients and altered alkaloids with better solubility.

CONCLUSIONS

In summary, the integrated toxicity and efficacy analyses of volatile, aqueous and ethanol extracts of TR indicated that the processing procedure could effectively reduce its acute toxicity in all three extracts and enhance its analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects in volatile and ethanol extracts. The promising candidate compounds related to the toxicity and efficacy of TR were also identified. The results could expand our understanding of the value of the standard processing procedure of TR, be valuable to the quality control of TR manufacturing and administration, as well as support clinical rational and safety applications of this medicinal plant.

Traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology, pharmacokinetics and toxicology of the fruit of Tetradium ruticarpum: A review

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

The fruit of Tetradium ruticarpum (FTR) known as Tetradii fructus or Evodiae fructus (Wu-Zhu-Yu in Chinese) is a versatile herbal medicine which has been prescribed in Chinese herbal formulas and recognized in Japanese Kampo. FTR has been clinically used to treat various diseases such as headache, vomit, diarrhea, abdominal pain, dysmenorrhea and pelvic inflammation for thousands of years.

AIM OF THE REVIEW

The present paper aimed to provide comprehensive information on the ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry, pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, drug interaction and toxicology of FTR in order to build up a foundation on the mechanism of ethnopharmacological uses as well as to explore the trends and perspectives for further studies.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This review collected the literatures published prior to July 2020 on the phytochemistry, pharmacology, pharmacokinetics and toxicity of FTR. All relevant information on FTR was gathered from worldwide accepted scientific search engines and databases, including Web of Science, PubMed, Elsevier, ACS, ResearchGate, Google Scholar, and Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI). Information was also obtained from local books, PhD. and MSc. Dissertations as well as from Pharmacopeias.

RESULTS

FTR has been used as an herbal medicine for centuries in East Asia. A total of 165 chemical compounds have been isolated so far and the main chemical compounds of FTR include alkaloids, terpenoids, flavonoids, phenolic acids, steroids, and phenylpropanoids. Crude extracts, processed products (medicinal slices) and pure components of FTR exhibit a wide range of pharmacological activities such as antitumor, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, anti-obesity, antioxidant, insecticide, regulating central nervous system (CNS) homeostasis, cardiovascular protection. Furthermore, bioactive components isolated from FTR can induce drug interaction and hepatic injury.

CONCLUSIONS

Therapeutic potential of FTR has been demonstrated with the pharmacological effects on cancer, inflammation, cardiovascular diseases, CNS, bacterial infection and obesity. Pharmacological and pharmacokinetic studies of FTR mostly focus on its main active alkaloids. Further in-depth studies on combined medication and processing approaches mechanisms, pharmacological and toxic effects not limited to the alkaloids, and toxic components of FTR should be designed.

Spectrum-Effect Relationships of Flavonoids in Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch

Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch. is used in large quantities in traditional Chinese medicine. It contains flavonoids, saponins, and polysaccharides, with flavonoids being the main active ingredients. In this study, flavonoids were isolated from the roots of Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch. grown in 21 areas in China by water extraction, alcohol precipitation, polyamide resin separation, and other methods. Fingerprints were established by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). There were 15 common peaks in the fingerprints by similarity evaluations of the chromatographic fingerprints. The spectrum-effect relationships between the HPLC fingerprints and pharmacological activities of flavonoids in G. uralensis Fisch., including the heat clearing, detoxifying effects, cough relief, and phlegm elimination effects, were assessed by gray relational analysis and partial least squares regression. After HPLC-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry and standard comparison, these five identified compounds (liquiritin apioside, neoisoliquiritin, licochalcone A, licochalcone B, and licochalcone C) could be used to evaluate licorice quality with regard to its efficacy. This research provides a scientific basis for improving licorice quality and also establishes a model for modernization of traditional Chinese medicines.

Simultaneous Qualitative and Quantitative Evaluation of the Coptidis Rhizoma and Euodiae Fructus Herbal Pair by Using UHPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS and UHPLC-DAD

The herbal pair of Coptidis Rhizoma (CR) and Euodiae Fructus (EF) is a classical traditional Chinese medicine formula used for treating gastro-intestinal disorders. In this study, we established a systematic method for chemical profiling and quantification analysis of the major constituents in the CR-EF herbal pair. A method of ultra high performance liquid chromatography/quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC-QTOF-MS) for qualitative analysis was developed. Sixty-five compounds, including alkaloids, phenolics, and limonoids, were identified or tentatively assigned by comparison with reference standards or literature data. The UHPLC fingerprints of 19 batches of the CR-EF herbal pair samples were obtained and the reference fingerprint chromatograms were established. Furthermore, nine compounds among 24 common peaks of fingerprints were considered as marker components, which either had high contents or significant bioactivities, were applied to quality control of the CR-EF herbal pair by quantitative analysis. This UHPLC-DAD analysis method was validated by precision, linearity, repeatability, stability, recovery, and so on. The method was simple and sensitive, and thus reliable for quantitative and chemical fingerprint analysis for the quality evaluation and control of the CR-EF herbal pair and related traditional Chinese medicines.

Identification of blood-activating components from Xueshuan Xinmaining Tablet based on the spectrum-effect relationship and network pharmacology analysis

With the aim of identifying the active components of Xueshuan Xinmaining Tablet (XXT) and discussing the potential mechanism involved, the relationship between HPLC fingerprints and its blood-activating effect were established by multivariate statistical analysis, including gray relational analysis (GRA) and partial least squares regression analysis (PLSR). Network pharmacology was used to predict the potential mechanism based on the identified active components. GRA and PLSR analysis showed close correlation between the HPLC fingerprints and blood-activating activity, and peaks P1, P3, P11, P15, P22, P34, P36, P38 and P39 might be potential anti-blood stasis components of XXT. The pharmacological verification showed that salvianic acid A (P1), rutin (P3), ginsenoside Rg1 (P11) and Rb1 (P22), cinobufagin (P36), and tanshinone I (P38) and IIA (P39) had significant blood-activating effects. Based on these seven active compounds, network pharmacology analysis indicated that the anti-blood stasis effect of XXT might be closely related to TNF, PI3K-Akt and NF-κB signaling pathways. The spectrum-effect relationship of XXT was successfully established in this study. The blood-activating components and the anti-blood stasis mechanism were revealed and predicted. These findings could also be beneficial for an exploration of the active components of TCM.

Spectrum-effect relationship between HPLC fingerprints and antioxidant activity of Angelica sinensis

Angelica sinensis is one of the most important traditional Chinese medicines and has antioxidant activities that greatly contribute to its pharmacological action. However, the compounds responsible for its antioxidant activity remain unknown. In this study, the fingerprints of 10 batches of A. sinensis collected from different locations in China were established with HPLC to identify the common peaks. The antioxidant activities of these 10 batches were evaluated with 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl, 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt, and ferric-reducing antioxidant power assays. The spectrum-effect relationship between HPLC fingerprints and antioxidant effect of A. sinensis was examined by the partial-least-square regression analysis and the variable importance in projection method. Results showed that the antioxidant effect of A. sinensis results from the synergistic effect of various compounds, and peaks X3 and X7-X18 were the main substances responsible for antioxidant efficacy. This study successfully identified the spectrum-effect relationship between HPLC fingerprints and the antioxidant effect of A. sinensis. This relationship can provide methods for establishing the quality standards for A. sinensis and developing new and effective products of A. sinensis based on its antioxidant ingredients.

Apoptotic Pathway as the Therapeutic Target for Anticancer Traditional Chinese Medicines

Cancer is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Apoptosis is a process of programmed cell death and it plays a vital role in human development and tissue homeostasis. Mounting evidence indicates that apoptosis is closely related to the survival of cancer and it has emerged as a key target for the discovery and development of novel anticancer drugs. Various studies indicate that targeting the apoptotic signaling pathway by anticancer drugs is an important mechanism in cancer therapy. Therefore, numerous novel anticancer agents have been discovered and developed from traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) by targeting the cellular apoptotic pathway of cancer cells and shown clinically beneficial effects in cancer therapy. This review aims to provide a comprehensive discussion for the role, pharmacology, related biology, and possible mechanism(s) of a number of important anticancer TCMs and their derivatives mainly targeting the cellular apoptotic pathway. It may have important clinical implications in cancer therapy.

Research on correlation of compositions with oestrogenic activity of Cistanche based on LC/Q-TOF-MS/MS technology

LC technology is a recognized method used worldwide to evaluate the quality of traditional Chinese medicines (TCM). The quality of TCM has a direct impact on its efficacy. Therefore, in order to thoroughly reveal how TCM exerts its efficacy, first of all, it is necessary to understand the material basis for its efficacy, and then to control the quality of active compounds. The application of the spectrum-effect relationship method is crucial for determining the pharmacological material basis. The goal of this paper was to investigate the underlying correlations between the chemical profiles and oestrogenic activity of Cistanche, to reveal the active compounds. The chemical profiles of Cistanche were recorded using HPLC/Q-TOF-MS/MS, and oestrogenic activity was determined by the Uterus growth test and the MTT assay. Then combining the results of bivariate analysis, principal component analysis and gray correlation analysis method, fifteen active compounds were identified. They are 8-epiloganic acid, salidroside, syringalide A 3’-α-l-rhamnopyranoside, cistanoside A, echinacoside, cistanoside F, cistanoside B, cistanoside C, osmanthuside B, acteoside, isoacteoside, tubuloside B, 2’-acetylacteoside, and two unknown compounds. This study lays a foundation for in vivo studies of Cistanche and for the development of its clinical application.

Characterization of estrogenic active ingredients in Cuscuta chinensis Lam. based on spectral characteristics and high‑performance liquid chromatography/quadrupole time‑of‑flight mass spectrometry

High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) is an efficient method that is widely used to assess the quality of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). It is well known that the quality of TCM has a direct effect on its efficacy; therefore, in order to thoroughly explain how TCM exerts its efficacy, it is necessary to characterize its active ingredients and assess their quality. The application of the spectrum‑effect method is crucial for determining the pharmacological basis of materials. The aim of the present study was to examine the correlation between chemical spectra and estrogenic activity of Cuscuta chinensis Lam., in order to reveal active compounds with potential therapeutic effects. The spectra of Cuscuta chinensis Lam. were recorded using HPLC, and estrogenic activity was determined using a uterus growth test and MTT assay. Combination of the results of bivariate analysis, principal component analysis and Gray relational analysis identified 19 active compounds, as follows: Quercetin‑3‑O‑(2'‑O‑α‑rhamnosy‑6'‑O‑malony)‑​β‑D‑glucoside, ka-empferol‑3‑O‑β‑D‑aplosyl‑(1→2)‑​[‑α‑​L‑rhamnosy‑(1→6)]‑β-wD-glucoside, 6‑O‑(E)‑P‑coumaroyl)‑β‑​D‑fructofuranosyl‑(2→1)‑α‑D‑glucopyranoside, kaempferol‑7‑rhamnosy, kaempferol‑3‑β‑D-glucuronide, apigenin, 4‑caffeoyl‑5‑coumaroylquinic acid, kaempferol‑3‑arabofuranoside, quercetin‑3‑O-β‑D-apiofuranosyl-(1→2)-β‑D‑galactoside, dicaffeoylquinic acid, hyperin, quercitin, isorhamnetin, chlorogenic acid, quercetin, quercltrin‑2''‑gallate, quercetin‑3, 7‑α‑L‑dirhamnoside and stigmasterol, as well as one unknown compound. The present study laid a foundation for in vivo metabolic studies regarding Cuscuta chinensis Lam. and for the development of its clinical application.

Screening Hepatotoxic Components in Euodia rutaecarpa by UHPLC-QTOF/MS Based on the Spectrum-Toxicity Relationship

Euodia rutaecarpa is a common traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in clinical practice, having the ability to suppress pain and cease coughing; however, with the increasing reports showing that it is toxic, particularly hepatotoxic, the concerns raised by what cause its toxicity is growing. In the current study, an analysis method based on the spectrum effect has been employed to screen the major hepatotoxic components in Euodia rutaecarpa so that the toxic material's basis would be elucidated. A fingerprinting method of the Euodia rutaecarpa extracts (which were petroleum ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate, n-butanol, and water) using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometer (UHPLC-QTOF/MS) has been developed. Orthogonal partial least squares (OPLS) was used to establish the spectrum-toxicity relationship with the levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) in mice serum as evaluation indices for liver injury. The UHPLC-MS fingerprint was established and the OPLS analytical results suggested that coniferin, 1-methyl-2-undecyl-4(1H)-quinolone, 1-methyl-2-[(6Z,9Z,12E)-pentadeca triene]-4(1H)-quinolone, evocarpine, 1-methyl-2-[(Z)-7-tridecenyl]-4(1H)-quinolone, dihydroevocarpine, and 1-methyl-2-tetradecy-4-(1H)-quinolone probably associated with the hepatotoxicity of Euodia rutaecarpa. This paper offered considerable methods and insight for the fundamental research of the toxic material basis of similar toxic TCMs.