ESI-MS2 and Anti-inflammatory Studies of Cyclopropanic Triterpenes. UPLC-ESI-MS and MS2 Search of Related Metabolites from Donella ubanguiensis

Chemical characterization and antioxidant potential of ecuadorian propolis

The chemical composition and the antioxidant potential of Ecuadorian propolis samples (n = 19) collected in different provinces were investigated. HPLC-DAD-ESI/MSⁿ and GC-EI-MS analysis of the methanol extracts enabled us to define six types of Ecuadorian propolis based on their secondary metabolite composition. 68 compounds were identified, 59 of which are reported for the first time in Ecuadorian propolis. The detected compounds include flavonoids, diterpenes, triterpenes, organic acid derivatives, alkylresorcinol derivatives and nemorosone. Plants belonging to genera Populus, Mangifera and Clusia seemed to be vegetable sources employed by bees to produce Ecuadorian propolis. Total phenolic content and antioxidant activity of propolis extracts were determined by the Folin-Ciocalteu assay and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl and ferric reducing/antioxidant potential assays, respectively. As expected, the variable chemical composition affected the differences in terms of antioxidant potential.

In Vitro Antineoplastic and Antiviral Activity and In Vivo Toxicity of Geum urbanum L. Extracts

This study evaluated the in vitro antineoplastic and antiviral potential and in vivo toxicity of twelve extracts with different polarity obtained from the herbaceous perennial plant Geum urbanum L. (Rosaceae). In vitro cytotoxicity was determined by ISO 10993-5/2009 on bladder cancer, (T-24 and BC-3C), liver carcinoma (HEP-G2) and normal embryonic kidney (HEK-293) cell lines. The antineoplastic activity was elucidated through assays of cell clonogenicity, apoptosis induction, nuclear factor kappa B p65 (NFκB p65) activation and total glutathione levels. Neutral red uptake study was applied for antiviral activity. The most promising G. urbanum extract was analyzed by UHPLC–HRMS. The acute in vivo toxicity analysis was carried out following OEDC 423. The ethyl acetate extract of aerial parts (EtOAc-AP) exhibited the strongest antineoplastic activity on bladder cancer cell lines (IC₅₀ = 21.33–25.28 µg/mL) by inducing apoptosis and inhibiting NFκB p65 and cell clonogenicity. EtOAc and n-butanol extracts showed moderate antiviral activity against human adenovirus type 5 and human simplex virus type I. Seventy four secondary metabolites (gallic and ellagic acid derivatives, phenolic acids, flavonoids, etc.) were identified in EtOAc-AP by UHPLC–HRMS. This extract induced no signs of acute toxicity in liver and kidney specimens of H-albino mice in doses up to 210 mg/kg. In conclusion, our study contributes substantially to the detailed pharmacological characterization of G. urbanum, thus helping the development of health-promoting phytopreparations.

Jinmaitong, a Traditional Chinese Compound Prescription, Ameliorates the Streptozocin-Induced Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy Rats by Increasing Sciatic Nerve IGF-1 and IGF-1R Expression

Jinmaitong (JMT) is a Traditional Chinese Compound Prescription for the treatment of diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN). This study aims to investigate the effect of JMT on the insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) and the insulin like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF-1R) expression in sciatic nerves of diabetic rats. Firstly, the chemical profile of JMT was characterized by UPLC/Q-TOF-MS analysis. A total of 72 compounds were putatively identified. Secondly, streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats were treated with neurotropin (NTP, 2.67 NU/kg/day) or JMT at low-dosage (0.4375 g/kg/day), medium-dosage (0.875 g/kg/day), and high-dosage (1.75 g/kg/day) for continuous 16 weeks. Blood glucose and body weight were detected every 4 weeks during the experiment. The mechanical pain and morphological change on sciatic nerves were detected by pain measurement instrument and microscopy. The IGF-1 level in serum and tissues were measured though ELISA and immunohistochemistry. The mRNA and protein expressions of IGF-1, IGF-1R, peripheral myelin protein zero (P0), and peripheral myelin protein 22 (PMP22) in the tissues were measured by qRT-PCR and western blot. As a result, JMT had no significant effect on body weight, but reduced the fasting blood glucose levels of diabetic rats. Besides, the pathological morphology, mechanical pain thresholds, serum level and tissue expression of IGF-1, mRNA, and protein levels of IGF-1R, P0, and PMP22 were significantly improved in JMT group at middle dosage. In conclusion, JMT could ameliorate the behavioristics and morphology changes in DPN rats by promoting IGF-1 and IGF-1R gene and protein expressions in sciatic nerves, as well as regulating the peripheral nerve remyelination genes P0 and PMP22 expressions, which provides scientific evidence for the clinical application of JMT in DPN patients.

Multidirectional biological investigation and phytochemical profile of Rubus sanctus and Rubus ibericus

In the present study, the biological properties, including, the enzyme inhibitory and antioxidant activities, as well as, the phytochemical profile of the ethyl acetate, methanol, and water extracts of Rubus sanctus Schreb. and Rubus ibericus Juz. leaves were determined using in vitro bioassays. Wide range of phytochemicals, including, hydroxybenzoic acids, hydroxycinnamic acids, acylquinic acids, ellagitannins, flavonoids, and triterpenoid saponins were determined using UHPLC-ESI/HRMS technique. The ethyl acetate and methanol extracts of the studied Rubus species effectively inhibited acetyl and butyryl cholinesterase. On the other hand, R. sanctus water extract showed low inhibition against α-amylase and prominent inhibitory action against α-glucosidase. Data collected from this study reported the radical scavenging and reducing potential of the studied Rubus species. Investigation of the protective effects of the different extracts of R. sanctus and R. ibericus in experimental model of ulcerative colitis was performed. The extracts were also tested on spontaneous migration of human colon cancer cells (HCT116) in wound healing experimental paradigm. Only R. sanctus methanol extract inhibited spontaneous HCT116 migration in the wound healing test. Our results suggested that R. sanctus and R. ibericus may be potential candidates as sources of biologically-active compounds for the development of nutraceuticals, pharmaceuticals, and/or cosmetics.

The phytochemical and anti-inflammatory studies of Dillenia suffruticosa leaves

The Dillenia suffruticosa leaves (Dilleniaceae), a folk medicine recommended in Southeast Asia for treating inflammation, were phytochemically studied for the first time and assessed for suppression of λ-carrageenan-induced paw oedema in rats. The crude methanolic extract orally administered at 5,000 mg/kg, displayed no toxicity and at 250 to 1,000 mg/kg significantly suppressed the paw oedema. Two-isolated triterpenoids, betulinic acid (1) and koetjapic acid (2) orally administered at 50 mg/kg, significantly reduced the paw oedema, (p < 0.001) and (p < 0.005) at the fourth h onwards to 47.36% ± 2.23 and 53.43% ± 7.09, respectively, from 95.90% ± 6.88 oedema induced by λ-carrageenan alone. 1 and the isolated flavonoids of vitexin (3), tiliroside (4), and kaempferol (5), displayed moderately more of cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 than COX-1 enzyme inhibition, whereas 2 was slightly more inhibition of COX-1. The in silico molecular docking studies provided support to the in vitro COX studies that the isolated compounds formed H-bonding with the amino acid residues at the COX-2 catalytic sites. The triterpenoids were bound to the peroxidase, possibly inhibiting the peroxidase reaction, whereas the flavonoids interacted more at the cyclooxygenase, resembling celecoxib, therefore providing evidences that these compounds were responsible for the anti-inflammatory properties of D. suffruticosa.

Selective Profiling of Saponins from Gypsophila trichotoma Wend. by HILIC Separation and HRMS Detection

INTRODUCTION

Roots of Gypsophila trichotoma Wend. (Caryophyllaceae) are rich sources of glucuronide oleanane-type triterpenoid carboxylic acid 3,28-O-bidesmosides (GOTCABs). These saponins have been reported to possess synergistic cytotoxicity in combination with type I ribosome-inactivating protein saporin.

OBJECTIVE

To develop ultra high-performance liquid chromatography - electrospray ionisation/high resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC-ESI/HRMS) acquisition strategy for the recognition of Gypsophila GOTCAB saponins.

METHODOLOGY

A highly-selective hydrophilic interaction UHPLC method (Si-HILIC UHPLC) was developed for the separation of GOTCAB saponins from the methanol-aqueous root extract of G. trichotoma (GTR). UHPLC was coupled to an Orbitrap mass spectrometer equipped with heated electrospray ionisation (HESI) probe. ESI-HRMS and tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) data of the separated compounds was used for saponins structure assignment.

RESULTS

Based on the conformity of the fragmentation of 11 previously identified GTR saponins, 21 GOTCAB forming between two and four isobaric and positional isomers are identified with proposals for their structures. Tables with assignment of characteristic fragment ions and more than 10 newly identified saponins in GTR were described. Fragmentation rules for tentative identification of three major types of saponins from GTR were summarised and possible fragmentation pathways were proposed. Type I and II consisted of acylated and sulphated GOTCABs, respectively, while type III included acylated and sulphated saponins. The type II sulphated GOTCAB saponins were all previously not described.

CONCLUSIONS

The study demonstrates the potential of the coupling of highly-selective (Si)-HILIC UHPLC with HRMS and MS/MS detection for analysis and identification of triterpenoid saponins. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.