Quality marker prediction in Trillium tschonoskii based on UHPLC-MS chemical characterisation and network pharmacology

Research on quality marker based on the processing from Aconiti lateralis radix praeparata to Heishunpian

INTRODUCTION

Aconiti lateralis radix praeparata (ALRP), the sub root of Aconitum carmichaelii Debx., is a traditional Chinese medicine with good pharmacological effects. Heishunpian (HSP), prepared through the process of brine immersing, boiling, rinsing, dyeing, and steaming ALRP is one of the most widely used forms of decoction pieces in clinical practice.

OBJECTIVES

This study aims to investigate the mechanisms of component changes and transformations during the processing from ALRP to HSP, and to screen for their quality markers through UHPLC-QTOF-MS analysis.

METHODS

Samples from ALRP to HSP during processing were prepared and analyzed by UHPLC-QTOF-MS. By comparing the differences between before and after each processing step, the purpose of processing and the transformation of components during processing were studied. In addition, multiple batches of ALRP and HSP were determined, and potential quality markers were screened.

RESULTS

Through the analysis of ALRP and five key processing samples, 55 components were identified. Immersing in brine, rinsing, and dyeing were the main factors of component loss, and boiling caused a slight loss of components. Some components were enhanced during the steaming process. Combining the screened differences components between multiple ALRP and HSP, 10 components were considered as potential quality biomarkers.

CONCLUSION

This study found that the adjacent hydroxyl groups of the ester group may have a positive impact on the hydrolysis of the ester group, and 10 quality markers were preliminarily screened. It provides a reference for quality control and clinical application of ALRP and HSP.

NADES extraction, UHPLC-ELSD-based quantification, and network pharmacology-guided target identification of fourteen specialised metabolites from Trillium govanianum Wall. ex D.Don

INTRODUCTION

Trillium govanianum Wall. ex D.Don is a folk medicinal herb rich in structurally diverse steroidal saponins. The annual demand for this herb in India is about 200-500 metric tons, highlighting the need for a thorough quality assessment.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study is to develop an easy and reliable ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography-evaporative light scattering detector (UHPLC-ELSD)-based quality assessment method with 14 specialised metabolites of T. govanianum and identify the potential targets of this herb using network pharmacology.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A UHPLC-ELSD method was developed and validated with 14 markers of T. govanianum. The developed method and natural deep eutectic solvent (NADES)-assisted extraction were utilised for the recovery enhancement study of targeted specialised metabolites from rhizome samples (collected from five geographically distinct areas). In addition, the network pharmacology approach was performed for these 14 markers to predict the plausible biological targets of T. govanianum.

RESULT

The developed method showed good linearity (r2: 0.940-0.998), limit of detection (LOD) (2.4-9.0 μg), limit of quantification (LOQ) (7.92-29.7 μg), precision (intra-day relative standard deviations [RSDs] 0.77%-1.96% and inter-day RSDs 2.19-4.97%), and accuracy (83.24%-118.90%). NADES sample TG-1* showed the highest recovery (yield: 167.66 ± 4.39 mg/g of dry weight) of total saponin content (TSC) as compared to its hydroethanolic extract (yield: 103.95 ± 5.36 mg/g of dry weight). Sample TG-1* was the most favourable (yield: 167.66 ± 4.39 mg/g) in terms of TSC as compared to other analysed samples (32.68 ± 1.04-88.22 ± 6.79 mg/g). Govanoside D (yield: 3.43-28.06 mg/g), 22β-hydroxyprotodioscin (yield: 3.22-114.79 mg/g), and dioscin (yield: 1.07-20.82 mg/g) were quantified as the major metabolites. Furthermore, network pharmacology analysis of targeted 14 markers indicated that these molecules could be possible therapeutic agents for managing neuralgia, diabetes mellitus, and hyperalgesia.

CONCLUSION

The current study represents the first report for the simultaneous quantification and a network pharmacology-based analysis of 14 chemical marker compounds isolated from T. govanianum.

Ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time of flight-mass spectrometry combined with network pharmacology for analysis of potential quality markers of three processed products of Qingpi

Qingpi, a well-known traditional Chinese medicine for qi-regulating and commonly processed into three types of pieces, has been widely used in the clinical application of liver disease for thousands of years. In this study, an ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time of flight-mass spectrometry approach along with multivariate statistical analysis was developed to assess and characterize the differentiations of three processed products and confirm the potential quality markers of Qingpi. In addition, a systematic analysis combined with network pharmacology and molecular docking was performed to clarify the potential mechanism of Qingpi for the treatment of liver disease. As a result, 18 components were identified and an integrated network of Qingpi-Components-Target-Pathway-Liver Disease was constructed. Eight compounds were finally screened out as the potential quality markers acting on ten main targets and pathways of liver disease. Molecular docking analysis results indicated that the quality markers had a good binding activity with the targets. Overall, this work preliminarily identified the potential quality markers of three processed products of Qingpi, and predicted its targets in the prevention and treatment of liver disease, which can provide supporting information for further study of the pharmacodynamic substances and mechanisms of Qingpi.