Structural characterization and identification of flavonoid aglycones in threeGlycyrrhizaspecies by liquid chromatography with photodiode array detection and quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry

Differentiation of isomeric chalcone and dihydroflavone using liquid chromatography coupled with hydrogen-deuterium exchange tandem mass spectrometry (HDX-MS/MS): An application for flavonoids-focused characterization of Snow chrysanthemum

Although the co-occurrences of isomeric chalcones and dihydroflavones widely appear in medicinal plants, the differentiation of such isomerism seldom succeeds using MS/MS, attributing to totally identical MS/MS spectra. Here, efforts were paid to pursue an eligible tool allowing to address the technical challenge. Being inspired by that one more proton signal is observed in 1H NMR spectrum of isoliquiritigenin than liquiritigenin when employing DMSO‑d6 as solvent, hydrogen-deuterium exchange (HDX)-MS/MS was evaluated towards differentiating isomeric chalcones and dihydroflavones through replacing H2O with D2O to prepare the mobile phase. As a result, differences were observed for either MS1 or MS2 spectrum when comparing two pairs of isomers, such as liquiritigenin vs. isoliquiritigenin and liquiritin vs. isoliquiritin, because the isomeric precursor and fragment ion species owned different amounts of hydroxyl protons and those reactive protons could be partially or completely substituted by deuterium protons at the exposure in D2O to result in n × 1.006 mass increments. Moreover, utmost four hydrogen/deuterium exchanges occurred for a single glucosyl moiety. Thereafter, HDX-MS/MS was applied to characterize the flavonoids of Snow chrysanthemum, a precious edible herbal medicine that is rich in isomeric chalcones and dihydroflavones. Through paying special attention to the deuterium labeling styles of (de)protonated molecules as well as those featured fragment ions, five pairs of isomeric chalcones and dihydroflavones were confirmatively differentiated, in addition to that 28 flavonoids were structurally annotated by applying those well-defined mass fragmentation rules. Hence, this study offered an in-depth insight towards the flavonoids-focused characterization of Snow chrysanthemum, and more importantly, HDX-MS/MS is a superior tool to differentiate, but not limited to, isomeric chalcones and dihydroflavones.

Switching the polarity of mouse enteroids affects the epithelial interplay with prenylated phenolics from licorice (Glycyrrhiza) roots

The utility of 3D-small intestinal organoid (enteroid) models for evaluating effects of e.g. food (related) compounds is limited due to the apical epithelium facing the interior. To overcome this limitation, we developed a novel 3D-apical-out enteroid model for mice, which allows apical exposure. Using this model, we evaluated the effects on the enteroids' intestinal epithelium (including cytotoxicity, cell viability, and biotransformation) after exposure to glabridin, a prenylated secondary metabolite with antimicrobial properties from licorice roots (Glycyrrhiza glabra). Apical-out enteroids were five times less sensitive to glabridin exposure compared to conventional apical-in enteroids, with obtained cytotoxicities of 1.5 mM and 0.31 mM, respectively. Apical-out enteroids showed a luminal/apical layer of fucose rich mucus, which may contribute to the protection against potential cytotoxicity of glabridin. Furthermore, in apical-in enteroids IC50 values for cytotoxicity were determined for licochalcone A, glycycoumarin, and glabridin, the species-specific prenylated phenolics from the commonly used G. inflata, G. uralensis, and G. glabra, respectively. Both enteroid models differed in their functional phase II biotransformation capacity, where glabridin was transformed to glucuronide- and sulfate-conjugates. Lastly, our results indicate that the prenylated phenolics do not show cytotoxicity in mouse enteroids at previously reported minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) against a diverse set of Gram positive bacteria. Altogether, we show that apical-out enteroids provide a better mimic of the gastrointestinal tract compared to conventional enteroids and are consequently a superior model to study effects of food (related) compounds. This work revealed that prenylated phenolics with promising antibacterial activity show no harmful effects in the GI-tract at their MICs and therefore may offer a new perspective to control unwanted microbial growth.

Exploring the mechanism of Si-Ni-San against depression by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS integrated with network pharmacology: experimental research

Background

Depression is becoming an urgent mental health problem. Si-Ni-San has been widely used to treat depression, yet its underlying pharmacological mechanism is poorly understood. Thus, we aim to explore the antidepressant mechanism of Si-Ni-San by chemical analysis and in-silico methods.

Methods

Compounds in Si-Ni-San were determined by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS). Then, bioactive compounds were obtained from Traditional Chinese Medicines for Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform and SwissADME, and the potential targets of which were acquired from SwissTargetPrediction. Depression-related targets were collected from GeneCards. The intersection between compound-related targets and depression-related targets were screened out, and the overlapped targets were further performed protein-protein interaction, biological functional and pathway enrichment analysis. Finally, networks of Si-Ni-San against depression were constructed and visualized by Cytoscape.

Results

One hundred nineteen compounds in Si-Ni-San were determined, of which 24 bioactive compounds were obtained. Then, 137 overlapped targets of Si-Ni-San against depression were collected. AKT1, PIK3R1, PIK3CA, mTOR, MAPK1 and MAPK8 were the key targets. Furthermore, PI3K-Akt signalling pathway, serotonergic synapse, MAPK signalling pathway and neurotrophin signalling pathway were involved in the antidepressant mechanism of Si-Ni-San. It showed that components like sinensetin, hesperetin, liquiritigenin, naringenin, quercetin, albiflorin and paeoniflorin were the mainly key active compounds for the antidepressant effect of Si-Ni-San.

Conclusions

This study demonstrated the key components, key targets and potential pharmacological mechanisms of Si-Ni-San against depression. These results indicate that Si-Ni-San is a promising therapeutic approach for treatment of depression, and may provide evidence for the research and development of drugs for treating depression.

The potential role of formononetin in cancer treatment: An updated review

Currently, cancer is one of the main research topics, due to its high incidence and drug resistance to existing anti-cancer drugs. Formononetin, a natural product with phytoestrogenic properties and diverse biological functions, has attracted the attention of researchers working on anticancer drugs. Formononetin emerges as an intriguing bioactive substance compared to other isoflavones as it exhibits potent chemotherapeutic activity with less toxicity. Formononetin effectively plays a significant role in inhibiting cell proliferation, invasion, and metastatic abilities of cancer cells by targeting major signaling pathways at the junction of interconnected pathways. It also induces apoptosis and cell cycle arrest by modulating mediator proteins. It causes upregulation of key factors such as p-AKT, p38, p21, and p53 and downregulation of NF-κB. Furthermore, formononetin regulates the neoplastic microenvironment by inactivating the ERK1/2 pathway and lamin A/C signaling and has been reported to inactivate JAK/STAT, PKB or AKT, and mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways and to suppress cell migration, invasion, and angiogenesis in human cancer cells. To assist researchers in further exploring formononetin as a potential anticancer therapeutic candidate, this review focuses on both in vitro and in vivo proof of concept studies, patents, and clinical trials pertinent to formononetin's anticancer properties. Overall, this review discusses formononetin from a comprehensive perspective to highlight its potential benefits as an anticancer agent.

Metabolomic Analysis Reveals Domestication-Driven Reshaping of Polyphenolic Antioxidants in Soybean Seeds

Crop domestication has resulted in nutrient losses, so evaluating the reshaping of phytonutrients is crucial for improving nutrition. Soybean is an ideal model due to its abundant phytonutrients and wild relatives. In order to unravel the domestication consequence of phytonutrients, comparative and association analyses of metabolomes and antioxidant activities were performed on seeds of six wild (Glycine soja (Sieb. and Zucc.)) and six cultivated soybeans (Glycine max (L.) Merr.). Through ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS), we observed a greater metabolic diversity in wild soybeans, which also displayed higher antioxidant activities. (-)-Epicatechin, a potent antioxidant, displayed a 1750-fold greater abundance in wild soybeans than in cultivated soybeans. Multiple polyphenols in the catechin biosynthesis pathway were significantly higher in wild soybeans, including phlorizin, taxifolin, quercetin 3-O-galactoside, cyanidin 3-O-glucoside, (+)-catechin, (-)-epiafzelechin, catechin-glucoside, and three proanthocyanidins. They showed significant positive correlations with each other and antioxidant activities, indicating their cooperative contribution to the high antioxidant activities of wild soybeans. Additionally, natural acylation related to functional properties was characterized in a diverse range of polyphenols. Our study reveals the comprehensive reprogramming of polyphenolic antioxidants during domestication, providing valuable insights for metabolism-assisted fortification of crop nutrition.

Illumination on Chemical Compounds from Qufeng Zhitong Capsule and Its Potential Pharmacological Mechanism against Rheumatoid Arthritis Based on UHPLC/Q-Orbitrap-MS Combined with Network Pharmacology Analysis

Qufeng Zhitong capsule (QZC), a Chinese patent medicine officially approved in China for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and other diseases, possesses the primary effects of dispelling wind, relieving pain, and promoting blood circulation, whose clinical applications have been confined owing to the incomplete elucidation of its chemical compositions and the underlying molecular mechanism for the treatment of RA. In this study, 61 compounds including 16 phenylpropanoids, 15 organic acids, 13 alkaloids, seven flavonoids, six iridoids, one saccharide, two aldehydes, and one saponin in QZC were simultaneously identified and traced to their herbal origins by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography tandem Q-Exactive Orbitrap high-resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC/Q-Orbitrap-MS), where 31 of them were unambiguously identified by reference compounds, and the other 30 were tentatively characterized. Besides, all these compounds were proven to have potential pharmacological activity in the treatment of RA based on network pharmacology analysis. In conclusion, this study first investigated the chemical composition and potential pharmacological effects of the main chemical compounds in QZC, which will contribute to the revelation of bioactive compounds in QZC and provide evidence for clinical application.

Chemical analysis of the Chinese herbal medicine licorice (Gan-Cao): An update review

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Licorice, called Gan-Cao in China, is one of the most popular traditional herbal medicines. It is derived from the dried roots and rhizomes of Glycyrrhiza uralensis, G. glabra, and G. inflata. Licorice is recorded in the pharmacopoeias of China, Japan, US, and Europe.

AIM

This review updates research progress of licorice from the perspectives of chemical analysis, quality evaluation, drug metabolism, and pharmacokinetic studies from 2009 to April 2022.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Both English and Chinese literatures were collected from databases including PubMed, Elsevier, Web of Science, and CNKI (Chinese). Licorice, extraction, structural characterization/identification, quality control, metabolism, and pharmacokinetics were used as keywords.

RESULTS

Newly developed analytical methods, including LC/UV, 2DLC, LC/MS, GC/MS, and mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) for chemical analysis of licorice were summarized.

CONCLUSION

This review provides a comprehensive summary on chemical analysis of licorice.

Computational Tools to Expedite the Identification of Potential PXR Modulators in Complex Natural Product Mixtures: A Case Study with Five Closely Related Licorice Species

The genus Glycyrrhiza, comprising approximately 36 spp., possesses complex structural diversity and is documented to possess a wide spectrum of biological activities. Understanding and finding the mechanisms of efficacy or safety for a plant-based therapy is very challenging, yet it is crucial and necessary to understand the polypharmacology of traditional medicines. Licorice extract was shown to modulate the xenobiotic receptors, which might manifest as a potential route for natural product-induced drug interactions. However, different mechanisms could be involved in this phenomenon. Since the induced herb-drug interaction of licorice supplements via Pregnane X receptor (PXR) is understudied, we ventured out to analyze the potential modulators of PXR in complex mixtures such as whole extracts by applying computational mining tools. A total of 518 structures from five species of Glycyrrhiza: 183 (G. glabra), 180 (G. uralensis), 100 (G. inflata), 33 (G. echinata), and 22 (G. lepidota) were collected and post-processed to yield 387 unique compounds. Visual inspection of top candidates with favorable ligand-PXR interactions and the highest docking scores were identified. The in vitro testing revealed that glabridin (GG-14) is the most potent PXR activator among the tested compounds, followed by licoisoflavone A, licoisoflavanone, and glycycoumarin. A 200 ns molecular dynamics study with glabridin confirmed the stability of the glabridin-PXR complex, highlighting the importance of computational methods for rapid dereplication of potential xenobiotic modulators in a complex mixture instead of undertaking time-consuming classical biological testing of all compounds in a given botanical.

Delineating the dynamic metabolic profile of Qi-Yu-San-Long decoction in rat urine using UPLC-QTOF-MSE coupled with a post-targeted screening strategy

Qi-Yu-San-Long decoction (QYSLD) is a traditional Chinese medicine that has been clinically used in the treatment of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) for more than 20 years. However, to date, metabolic-related studies on QYSLD have not been performed. In this study, a post-targeted screening strategy based on ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight full information tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-QTOF-MS^E) was developed to identify QYSLD-related xenobiotics in rat urine. The chemical compound database of QYSLD constituents was established from previous research, and metabolites related to these compounds were predicted in combination with their possible metabolic pathways. The metabolites were identified by extracted ion chromatograms using predicted m/z values as well as retention time, excimer ions, and fragmentation behavior. Overall, 85 QYSLD-related xenobiotics (20 prototype compounds and 65 metabolites) were characterized from rat urine. The main metabolic reactions and elimination features of QYSLD included oxidation, reduction, decarboxylation, hydrolysis, demethylation, glucuronidation, sulfation, methylation, deglycosylation, acetylation, and associated combination reactions. Of the identified molecules, 14 prototype compounds and 58 metabolites were slowly eliminated, thus accumulating in vivo over an extended period, while five prototypes and two metabolites were present in vivo for a short duration. Furthermore, one prototype and five metabolites underwent the process of “appearing-disappearing-reappearing” in vivo. Overall, the metabolic profile and characteristics of QYSLD in rat urine were determined, which is useful in elucidating the active components of the decoction in vivo, thus providing the basis for studying its mechanism of action.

•

A post-targeted screening strategy based on UPLC-QTOF-MS^E was developed.

•

Twenty prototype compounds and 65 metabolites of QYSLD were identified in rat urine.

•

The main metabolic reactions and elimination features of QYSLD were determined in vivo.

•

Dynamic metabolic profiles of QYSLD-related xenobiotics at multiple time intervals were delineated.

Chemical Characterization and Metabolic Profiling of the Compounds in the Chinese Herbal Formula Li Chang Decoction by UPLC-QTOF/MS

Background

Li Chang decoction (LCD), a Chinese medicine formula, is commonly used to treat ulcerative colitis (UC) in clinics.

Purpose

This study aimed to identify the major components in LCD and its prototype and metabolic components in rat biological samples.

Methods

The chemical constituents in LCD were identified by establishing a reliable ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-QTOF/MS) method. Afterwards, the rats were orally administered with LCD, and the biological samples (plasma, urine, and feces) were collected for further analyzing the effective compounds in the treatment of UC.

Result

A total of 104 compounds were discriminated in LCD, including 26 flavonoids, 20 organic acids, 20 saponins, 8 amino acids, 5 oligosaccharides, 5 tannins, 3 lignans, 2 alkaloids, and 15 others (nucleosides, glycosides, esters, etc.). About 50 prototype and 94 metabolic components of LCD were identified in biological samples. In total, 29 prototype components and 22 metabolic types were detected in plasma. About 27 prototypes and 96 metabolites were discriminated in urine, and 34 prototypes and 18 metabolites were identified in feces.

Conclusion

The flavonoids, organic acids, and saponins were the major compounds of LCD, and this study promotes the further pharmacokinetic and pharmacological evaluation of LCD.

Synergistic Effects of Licorice Root and Walnut Leaf Extracts on Gastrointestinal Candidiasis, Inflammation and Gut Microbiota Composition in Mice

Candida albicans is an opportunistic pathogen that causes gastrointestinal (GI) candidiasis closely associated with intestinal inflammation and dysbiosis. Drug resistance, side effects of available antifungal agents, and the high recurrence of candidiasis highlight the need for new treatments. We investigated the effects of hydroethanolic extracts of licorice root (LRE) and walnut leaf (WLE) on GI colonization by C. albicans, colon inflammation, and gut microbiota composition in C57BL/6 female mice. Oral administration of LRE and WLE alone or in combination once daily for 12 days before C. albicans infection and then for 5 days after infection significantly reduced the level of C. albicans in the feces of gastrointestinal infected mice as well as colonization of the GI tract, both extracts showing robust antifungal activity. Although total bacterial content was unaffected by the extracts (individually or combined), the abundance of protective bacteria, such as Bifidobacterium spp. and Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, increased with the combination, in contrast to that of certain pathobiont bacteria, which decreased. Interestingly, the combination induced a more robust decrease in the expression of proinflammatory genes than either extract alone. The anti-inflammatory activity of the combination was further supported by the reciprocal increase in the expression of anti-inflammatory cytokines and the significant decrease in enzymes involved in the synthesis of proinflammatory eicosanoids and oxidative stress. These findings suggest that LRE and WLE have synergistic effects and that the LRE/WLE combination could be a good candidate for limiting GI candidiasis and associated inflammation, likely by modulating the composition of the gut microbiota. IMPORTANCE The adverse effects and emergence of resistance of currently available antifungals and the high recurrence of candidiasis prompt the need for alternative and complementary strategies. We demonstrated that oral administration of hydroethanolic extracts of licorice root (LRE) and walnut leaf (WLE) separately or in combination significantly reduced the colonization of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract by C. albicans, highlighting a robust antifungal activity of these plant extracts. Interestingly, our data indicate a correlation between LRE and WLE consumption, in particular the combination, and a shift within the gut microbiome toward a protective profile, a decrease in colonic inflammation and prooxidant enzymes, suggesting a synergistic effect. This study highlights the significant prebiotic potential of the LRE/WLE combination and suggests that the health benefits are due, at least in part, to their ability to modulate the gut microbiota, reduce inflammation and oxidative stress, and protect against opportunistic infection.

LC-Q-TOF-MS/MS detection of food flavonoids: principle, methodology, and applications

Flavonoids have been attracting increasing research interest because of their multiple health promoting effects. However, many flavonoids with similar structures are present in foods, often at low concentrations, which increases the difficulty of their separation and identification. Liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry (LC-Q-TOF-MS/MS) has become one of the most widely used techniques for flavonoid detection. LC-Q-TOF-MS/MS can achieve highly efficient separation by LC; it also provides structural information regarding flavonoids by Q-TOF-MS/MS. This review presents a comprehensive summary of the scientific principles and detailed methodologies (e.g., qualitative determination, quantitative determination, and data processing) of LC-Q-TOF-MS/MS specifically for food flavonoids. It also discusses the recent applications of LC-Q-TOF-MS/MS in determination of flavonoid types and contents in agricultural products, changes in their structures and contents during food processing, and metabolism in vivo after consumption. Moreover, it proposes necessary technological improvements and potential applications. This review would facilitate the scientific understanding of theory and technique of LC-Q-TOF-MS/MS for flavonoid detection, and promote its applications in food and health industry.

A targeted prenylation analysis by a combination of IT-MS and HR-MS: Identification of prenyl number, configuration, and position in different subclasses of (iso)flavonoids

Prenylated (iso)flavonoids are potent bioactive compounds found in the Fabaceae family. Analysis and quantification of this type of phytochemicals is challenging due to their large structural diversity. In this study, the fragmentation of prenylated (iso)flavonoids was investigated using electrospray ionization ion trap mass spectrometry (ESI-IT-MSⁿ) with fragmentation by collision induced dissociation (CID) in combination and Orbitrap-MS (ESI-FT-MS²) with fragmentation by higher energy C-trap dissociation (HCD). With this combination of IT-MSⁿ and high resolution MS (FT-MSⁿ), it was possible to determine the fragmentation pathways and characteristic spectral features of different subclasses of prenylated (iso)flavonoid standards, as well as characteristic fragmentations and neutral losses of different prenyl configurations. Based on our findings, a decision guideline was developed to (i) identify (iso)flavonoid backbones, (ii) annotate prenyl number, (iii) configuration, and (iv) position of unknown prenylated (iso)flavonoids, in complex plant extracts. In this guideline, structural characteristics were identified based on: (i) UV absorbance of the compound, (ii) mass-to-charge (m/z) ratio of the parent compound; (iii) ratio of relative abundances between neutral losses 42 and 56 u in MSⁿ; (iv) retro-Diels-Alder (RDA) fragments, neutral losses 54 and 68 u, and the ratio [M+H-C₄H₈]⁺/[M+H]⁺. Using this guideline, 196 prenylated (iso)flavonoids were annotated in a Glycyrrhiza glabra root extract. In total, 75 skeletons were single prenylated, 104 were double prenylated, and for merely 17 skeletons prenyl number could not unambiguously be annotated. Our prenylation guideline allows rapid screening for identification of prenylated (iso)flavonoids, including prenyl number, configuration, and position, in complex plant extracts. This guideline supports research on these bioactive compounds in the areas of plant metabolomics and natural products.

Identification of the absorbed ingredients and metabolites in rats after an intravenous administration of Tanreqing injection using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry

The metabolic profiles of Tanreqing injection, which is a traditional Chinese medicine recommended for complementary administration to treat a novel coronavirus, have remained unclear, which inhibit the understanding of the effective chemical compounds of Tanreqing injection. In this study, a sensitive high-performance liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry method was used to identify the compounds and metabolites in various biosamples, including plasma, bile, liver, lung, kidney, urine, and feces, following the intravenous administration of Tanreqing injection in rats. A total of 89 compounds were characterized in the biosamples of Tanreqing injection-treated rats including 25 precursor constituents and 64 metabolites. Nine flavonoid compounds, twelve phenolic acids, and four iridoid glycosides were identified in the rats. Their metabolites were mainly produced by glucuronidation, deglucuronidation, glycosylation, deglycosylation, methylation, demethylation, N-heterocyclisation, sulphation, dehydroxylation, decarboxylation, dehydration, hydroxylation, and corresponding recombination reactions. This study was the first to comprehensively investigate the metabolic profile of Tanreqing injection and provides a scientific basis to further elucidate the pharmacodynamic material basis and therapeutic mechanism of Tanreqing injection.

Characterization of chemical profile and quantification of major representative components of Wendan decoction, a classical traditional Chinese medicine formula

Wendan decoction, a classical traditional Chinese medicine formula consisting of six herbal medicines, has been widely used in clinical treatments for thousands of years due to the expectorant effects. However, the chemical basis of Wendan decoction remains unclear, which hinders the elucidation of the scientific connotation and mechanism of its effective components. In this study, an ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry method was first developed for characterization of its chemical profile, and a total of 142 chemical components including flavonoids, triterpenoids, alkaloids, coumarins, pungent phytochemicals, and other types were detected, among which 41 components were definitively identified with authentic standards. Furthermore, 14 major representative components were simultaneously quantified by high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detector, indicating that the content levels of flavonoids were the most abundant in Wendan decoction. In summary, this study established sensitive and practical methods to systematically characterize chemical profile for the first time and simultaneous quantify representative components of Wendan decoction. These findings above would provide a solid chemical basis for disclosure of potential effective components by further in vivo disposal study, and promote therapeutic mechanism researches of Wendan decoction.

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.

Attribution and identification of absorbed components by HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS after oral administration of Erhuang decoction

To realize the attribution and identification of absorbed components in rat serum after oral administration of Erhuang decoction prepared by semi-bionic enzyme extraction method, the fingerprints of serum samples were established using a HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS method. Thirty-two peaks in Erhuang decoction and 24 peaks in rat serum after oral administration of Erhuang decoction were detected. Among the 24 peaks detected in rat serum, 25 compounds were identified by comparing the retention time and mass spectrometry data with that of reference compounds, or by mass spectrometry analysis and retrieving the reference literatures. Among the identified 25 compounds in vivo, 24 were the original form of compounds absorbed from the detected compounds in vitro, and one was the metabolite compounds of licorice. By analyzing the mass spectrometry or ultraviolet absorption characteristics, other unidentified compounds in vivo were deduced to be the endogenous metabolites in serum or the original form and metabolites of the compounds existed in vivo. Results indicated that HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS is suitable for identifying the bioactive constituents in serum after oral administration of Erhuang decoction, and the findings would be beneficial to further research and development of the pharmacodynamic substance base of Erhuang decoction.

Metabolomics study of different parts of licorice from different geographical origins and their anti-inflammatory activities

Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch., known as licorice, is one of the most famous traditional Chinese medicines. In this study, we perform a metabolome analysis using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry to assign bioactive components in different parts of licorice from different geographical origins in Gansu province of China. Sixteen potential biomarkers of taproots from different geographical origins were annotated, such as glycycoumarin, gancaonin Z, licoricone, and dihydroxy kanzonol H mainly exist in the sample of Jiuquan; neoliquiritin, 6'-acetylliquiritin, licochalcone B, isolicoflavonol, glycyrol, and methylated uralenin mainly exist in Glycyrrhiza uralensis from Lanzhou; gancaonin L, uralenin, and glycybridin I mainly exist in licorice from Wuwei for the first time.

Structural Identification and Conversion Analysis of Malonyl Isoflavonoid Glycosides in Astragali Radix by HPLC Coupled with ESI-Q TOF/MS

In this study, four malonyl isoflavonoid glycosides (MIGs), a type of isoflavonoid with poor structural stability, were efficiently isolated and purified from Astragali Radix by a medium pressure ODS C₁₈ column chromatography. The structures of the four compounds were determined on the basis of NMR and literature analysis. Their major diagnostic fragment ions and fragmentation pathways were proposed in ESI/Q-TOF/MS positive mode. Using a target precursor ions scan, a total of 26 isoflavonoid compounds, including eleven malonyl isoflavonoid glycosides coupled with eight related isoflavonoid glycosides and seven aglycones were characterized from the methanolic extract of Astragali Radix. To clarify the relationship of MIGs and the ratio of transformation in Astragali Radix under different extraction conditions, two MIGs (calycosin-7-O-glycoside-6″-O-malonate and formononetin-7-O-glycoside-6″-O-malonate) coupled with related glycosides (calycosin-7-O-glycoside and formononetin-7-O-glycoside) and aglycones (calycosin and formononetin) were detected by a comprehensive HPLC-UV method. Results showed that MIGs could convert into related glycosides under elevated temperature conditions, which was further confirmed by the conversion experiment of MIGs reference compounds. Moreover, the total contents of MIGs and related glycosides displayed no obvious change during the long-duration extraction. These findings indicated that the quality of Astragali Radix could be evaluated efficiently and accurately by using the total content of MIGs and related glycosides as the quality index.

Formononetin: A Review of Its Anticancer Potentials and Mechanisms

Cancer, a complex yet common disease, is caused by uncontrolled cell division and abnormal cell growth due to a variety of gene mutations. Seeking effective treatments for cancer is a major research focus, as the incidence of cancer is on the rise and drug resistance to existing anti-cancer drugs is major concern. Natural products have the potential to yield unique molecules and combinations of substances that may be effective against cancer with relatively low toxicity/better side effect profile compared to standard anticancer therapy. Drug discovery work with natural products has demonstrated that natural compounds display a wide range of biological activities correlating to anticancer effects. In this review, we discuss formononetin (C₁₆H₁₂O₄), which originates mainly from red clovers and the Chinese herb Astragalus membranaceus. The compound comes from a class of 7-hydroisoflavones with a substitution of methoxy group at position 4. Formononetin elicits antitumorigenic properties in vitro and in vivo by modulating numerous signaling pathways to induce cell apoptosis (by intrinsic pathway involving Bax, Bcl-2, and caspase-3 proteins) and cell cycle arrest (by regulating mediators like cyclin A, cyclin B1, and cyclin D1), suppress cell proliferation [by signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) activation, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase-B (PI3K/AKT), and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway], and inhibit cell invasion [by regulating growth factors vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and Fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2), and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9 proteins]. Co-treatment with other chemotherapy drugs such as bortezomib, LY2940002, U0126, sunitinib, epirubicin, doxorubicin, temozolomide, and metformin enhances the anticancer potential of both formononetin and the respective drugs through synergistic effect. Compiling the evidence thus far highlights the potential of formononetin to be a promising candidate for chemoprevention and chemotherapy.

Prenylated Flavonoids from Roots of Glycyrrhiza uralensis Induce Differentiation of B16-F10 Melanoma Cells

Roots of Glycyrrhiza uralensis have been used as herbal medicine and natural sweetener. By activity-guided phytochemical investigation of the extracts from G. uralensis root, ten flavonoids, namely GF-1–GF-10, of which five were prenylated flavonoids, were found to show antiproliferative effects in melanoma B16-F10 cells. Three of the prenylated flavonoids, namely GF-1, GF-4 and GF-9, significantly induced the differentiation of B16-F10 cells; the inductions included increase of tyrosinase activity, tyrosinase protein, and melanin content. In GF-1 and GF-9 induced melanoma differentiation, the phosphorylation of p38 MAPK (mitogen activated potein kinase) was identified; while GF-4 could trigger the phosphorylation of PI3K/AKT (phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Protein Kinase B) signaling. However, application of GF-6 to the melanoma cells did not induce differentiation; but which promoted cell apoptotic signaling, i.e., increase levels of cleaved-PRAP, cleaved-caspase 3, and cleaved-caspase 9. These results suggested that different types of prenylated flavonoids from G. uralensis might have potential anticancer effects against melanoma cells by acting through different signaling pathways.

Glucuronidated Flavonoids in Neurological Protection: Structural Analysis and Approaches for Chemical and Biological Synthesis

Both plant and mammalian cells express glucuronosyltransferases that catalyze glucuronidation of polyphenols such as flavonoids and other small molecules. Oral administration of select polyphenolic compounds leads to the accumulation of the corresponding glucuronidated metabolites at μM and sub-μM concentrations in the brain, associated with amelioration of a range of neurological symptoms. Determining the mechanisms whereby botanical extracts impact cognitive wellbeing and psychological resiliency will require investigation of the modes of action of the brain-targeted metabolites. Unfortunately, many of these compounds are not commercially available. This article describes the latest approaches for the analysis and synthesis of glucuronidated flavonoids. Synthetic schemes include both standard organic synthesis, semisynthesis, enzymatic synthesis and use of synthetic biology utilizing heterologous enzymes in microbial platform organisms.