Identification of volatile and nonvolatile compounds in Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium Viride using GC-MS, UPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap-MS, and HPLC-PDA

Olive Oil Solution of Volatile Oil from Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium Viride Alleviates Slow-Transit Constipation via Regulating SCF/c-Kit Signaling Pathway and Intestinal Flora

Objective

The aroma of the aromatic class of traditional Chinese medicines can promote gastrointestinal peristalsis. This study aimed to explore the mechanisms by which volatile oil from Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium Viride (VOCRPV) alleviates slow-transit constipation (STC).

Methods

The main active ingredients in VOCRPV were determined by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). Due to poor stability, an olive oil solution was prepared to enhance the volatile oil's stability. A mouse model of STC was induced using loperamide hydrochloride. The mice's body weight was monitored weekly. The number of fecal pellets, fecal water content, and small intestinal propulsion rate were detected. The colon tissues were analyzed using HE staining. The serum content of gastrointestinal hormones was measured using the corresponding ELISA kit. The protein expressions of stem cell factor (SCF) and c-Kit in colon tissues were detected by Western blot and immunohistochemistry methods. The 16S rRNA gene sequencing was used to detect the intestinal flora.

Results

The contents of p-isopropyl toluene, γ-Terpinene, and d-Limonene were determined by HPLC. VOCRPV and its olive oil solution significantly enhanced body weight, increased the number of fecal pellets, improved fecal water content, and boosted small intestinal propulsion rate in mice with loperamide-induced STC, while also repairing colon mucosa damage. They also increased gastrin (Gas) and motilin (MTL) levels in treated mice, upregulated the expression of SCF and c-Kit proteins, and restored intestinal flora balance in STC mice.

Conclusion

VOCRPV could effectively alleviate STC, and olive oil enhances its therapeutic effect. VOCRPV alleviates STC by elevating Gas and MTL levels, activating the SCF/c-Kit signaling pathway, and modulating intestinal flora.

Terpenoids: A promising traditional chinese medicine for neuropathic pain relief

Neuropathic pain (NPP) is a prevalent chronic condition characterized by spontaneous pain, hyperalgesia, allodynia, and sensory abnormalities, severely impacting patients' quality of life. Despite various guided treatments, their clinical efficacy remains limited, often accompanied by adverse reactions. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) offers unique advantages in disease treatment through its holistic approach (balancing the body as a unified system) and syndrome differentiation principle (personalized medicine). Recent research has highlighted terpenoids for their analgesic effects and minimal side effects. This review summarizes the role of terpenoids in NPP and their underlying molecular mechanisms. Terpenoids, natural products found in plants, are categorized into monoterpenoids, sesquiterpenoids, diterpenoids, triterpenoids, and tetraterpenoids based on isoprene units. These compounds alleviate NPP by: inhibiting neuroinflammation and oxidative stress, regulating mitochondrial function, modulating ion channels, and influencing the cannabinoid and opioid receptor systems. This review aims to deepen our understanding of terpenoids and provide crucial evidence and mechanistic insights for their application in NPP therapy.

Microbes: Drivers of Chenpi manufacturing, biotransformation, and physiological effects

Chenpi holds a rich history of both edible and medicinal applications worldwide, garnering increased attention from researchers in recent years due to its diverse physiological effects. While current research predominantly exploresed its chemical composition and physiological effects, there remains a notable gap in knowledge concerning its manufacturing, characteristic chemical substances, and the underlying mechanisms driving its physiological effects. In this review, the impacts of microbes on the manufacturing, biotransformation, and physiological effects of Chenpi were summarized, as well as the present status of product development. Furthermore, this review engaged in an in-depth discussion highlighting the challenges and shortcomings in recent research, while proposing potential directions and prospects. Additionally, the claim that "The longer the aging, the better the quality" of Chenpi was scientifically evaluated for the first time, providing a solid theoretical foundation for advancing the Chenpi industry.

Differentiating Tangerine Peels from Other Citrus reticulata through GC-MS, UPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap-MS, and HPLC-PDA

The nonvolatile and volatile compounds in the peels of 13 Citrus reticulata cultivars (4 mandarins, 5 tangerines, and 4 hybrids) and 5 Citrus sinensis (sweet oranges) cultivars were analyzed. Initially, 66 volatile compounds were detected using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Tangerines were distinguished from other citrus cultivars (mandarins, sweet oranges, hybrids) by having higher volatile oil extraction rates and higher relative contents of o-Cymene, α-Terpinene, d-α-Pinene, Terpinolene, γ-Terpinene, l-β-Pinene, and 3-Thujene. Additionally, 115 nonvolatile compounds were tentatively identified using ultraperformance liquid chromatography-Q-Exactive Orbitrap tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap-MS). C. sinensis contained fewer compounds than did C. reticulata. Pterostilbene was detected in all tangerines but not in mandarins and hybrids, suggesting its potential as a marker compound for differentiating tangerines from other C. reticulata. Lastly, a high-performance liquid chromatography-photodiode array (HPLC-PDA) was used to quantify 9 major nonvolatile components. Heat map and principal component analysis showed that the contents of tangerines differed from other cultivars (sweet oranges, mandarins, and hybrids). It may be caused by the higher content of synephrine, nobiletin, tangeretin, and 5-hydroxy-6,7,8,3',4'-pentamethoxyflavone in tangerines. The study may obtain information for the application of different types of C. reticulata (tangerines, mandarins, or hybrids) and C. sinensis peels, thereby promoting their recycling.

Exploring the aroma profiles and color characteristics of chardonnay wines from the eastern foothills of Ningxia Helan Mountain in China: A Flavoromics approach

This study assessed the chemosensory characteristics of Chardonnay wines from the eastern foothills of the Ningxia Helan Mountain, China. Using Check-All-That-Apply (CATA) and Descriptive Analysis (DA), 29 wines were categorized into lively (QTX and XX sub-regions, marked by citrus and floral aroma) and implicit (YN sub-region, marked by truffle and kerosene aroma) aroma styles. GC-Quadrupole-MS and GC-Orbitrap-MS identified 191 volatile compounds. Subsequent OPLS-DA analysis underscored those volatile compounds, including 1-hexanol, 2-phenylethyl ester, butanedioic acid, diethyl ester, and phenylacetaldehyde, likely form the fundamental volatile framework of the distinct aroma styles. HPLC-QqQ-MS/MS analysis identified 26 non-volatile phenolic compounds. Wines from the YN region exhibited a notable yellowish hue, likely due to their higher flavanol content. This study offers insights into Chardonnay wines' chemistry and sensory traits, guiding vintners to optimize viticulture and oenology practices, and empowering consumers to select wines based on unique aromas and quality.

Quality Change of Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium (Pericarps of Citrus reticulata 'Chachi') During Storage and Its Sex-Based In Vitro Digestive Performance

Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium (CRP), particularly including the pericarp of Citrus reticulata 'Chachi' (GCP), has been widely used as a food, a dietary supplement, and traditional Chinese medicine. Despite the widespread use of traditional foods, there is limited evidence regarding the precise relationships between storage conditions, aging duration, and the digestive performance of CRP. In this study, the aim was to investigate the impact of the storage conditions on the quality of aged GCP during shelf life and to evaluate the subsequent digestive performance of corresponding GCP decoctions. Respiration in GCP was monitored by measuring oxygen (O2), carbon dioxide (CO2), and methane (CH4) gases throughout the storage simulation, with O2 and CO2 validated as prospective safety measures. Five flavonoids (hesperidin, didymin, nobiletin, tangeretin, and 3,5,6,7,8,3',4'-heptamethoxyflavone) were determined as quality indicators, and their contents were significantly affected by the duration of the storage simulation and the aging periods of GCP. Our study also found that temperature and humidity significantly affected the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emission from GCP. Eighteen compounds were proposed to show potential as descriptive measures of aging periods while eight compounds were proposed as potential indicators to discriminate among the spoilage level. Furthermore, the bioaccessibility of hesperidin ranged from ~30% to ~50% and was not significantly affected by the GCP's aging time nor the consumer's sex (p < 0.05). This study presents evidence for the future control of the quality of GCP and its digestive performance in males and females.

A field survey on the dietary use of traditional Chinese medicine in selected regions with the Cantonese, Hakka, and Teochew populations in Guangdong province, China

The purpose of this study was to assess the dietary consumption patterns of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) among the population in Guangdong province. Employing a cross-sectional design, the survey was conducted from 2019 to 2021 to examine the inclusion of TCM in the diet of participants in Guangdong province. Information regarding consumption of TCM during the preceding 12 months was collected using a food frequency questionnaire. The participant cohort comprised a total of 3031 participants, consisting of 1081 Cantonese, 967 Hakka, and 983 Teochew individuals. The survey included 42 TCM, with consumption rates ranging from 2.6% to 47.3%. The top five TCM comprised Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium (47.3%), Lonicerae Japonicae Flos (47.0%), Codonopsis Radix (46.4%), Polygonati Odorati Rhizoma (43.1%), and Siraitiae Fructus (41.5%), along with Panacis Quinquefolii Radix (41.5%). These TCM possess recognized therapeutic properties within TCM for clearing heat, drying dampness, and detoxification. Within the top decile of 10 TCM, only Lonicerae Japonicae Flos was ubiquitous across all three sub-populations. Nonetheless, 11 TCM from the top 20 and 17 TCM from the top 30 overlapped among the three sub-populations. The study revealed substantial variability in the consumption rates of different TCM. Notably, those with traditional Chinese medicine effects of clearing heat, drying dampness, and detoxification exhibited higher consumption rates. Disparities in the consumption rates of these TCM were noted among the Cantonese, Hakka, and Teochew populations.

Comprehensive quality evaluation of Lysimachia christinae Hance via fingerprint, spectrum-effect relationship, and quantitative analyses of multiple components by single marker

BACKGROUND

Lysimachia christinae Hance (LCH) is a traditional medicine used to treat gallstone disease and cholecystitis. Despite its known anti-inflammatory and choleretic effects, its quality has not been extensively evaluated.

OBJECTIVE

In this study, we aimed to establish a reliable quality evaluation method for LCH via fingerprint, spectrum-effect relationship, and quantitative analyses of multicomponents by a single marker (QAMS).

METHODS

First, the fingerprints and anti-inflammatory and choleretic activities of 14 LCH batches were determined. Then, the gray relation analysis method was used to analyze the peak areas of the fingerprint profile and pharmacodynamic data. Subsequently, the characteristic peaks were tentatively identified using high-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Finally, rutin was selected as the internal reference material, and QAMS was used to analyze the LCH components.

RESULTS

Pharmacodynamic experiments confirmed that LCH exerted anti-inflammatory and choleretic effects. Moreover, 15 flavonoids related to the anti-inflammatory and choleretic effects of LCH were identified. Notably, relative error percentage between the QAMS and external standard method was less than 5%.

CONCLUSION

This study successfully established a comprehensive evaluation method for the qualitative and quantitative analyses of LCH.

A study of volatiles of young citrus fruits from four areas based on GC-MS and flash GC e-nose combined with multivariate algorithms

The present study has successfully established a scientific and precise approach for distinguishing the geographical origins of young citrus fruits (Qingpi) from four primary production regions in China, using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and flash gas chromatography electronic nose (flash GC e-nose) to analyze the volatile composition and odor characteristics. Through the application of chemometric analysis, a clear differentiation among Qingpi samples was established using GC-MS. Additionally, the application of flash GC e-nose facilitated the extraction of flavor information, which enabled the discrimination of geographical origins. Several flavor components were identified as significant factors for origin certification. Furthermore, two pattern recognition algorithms were employed to achieve high accuracy in regional identification. The results of this investigation demonstrate that the amalgamation of multivariate chemometrics and algorithms can proficiently discern the sources of those young citrus fruits. The findings of this research can provide a reference for the assessment of quality control in food and other agricultural commodities in the times ahead.