HPLC-MS trace analysis of atropine in Lycium barbarum berries

Multiple independent losses of the biosynthetic pathway for two tropane alkaloids in the Solanaceae family

Hyoscyamine and scopolamine (HS), two valuable tropane alkaloids of significant medicinal importance, are found in multiple distantly related lineages within the Solanaceae family. Here we sequence the genomes of three representative species that produce HS from these lineages, and one species that does not produce HS. Our analysis reveals a shared biosynthetic pathway responsible for HS production in the three HS-producing species. We observe a high level of gene collinearity related to HS synthesis across the family in both types of species. By introducing gain-of-function and loss-of-function mutations at key sites, we confirm the reduced/lost or re-activated functions of critical genes involved in HS synthesis in both types of species, respectively. These findings indicate independent and repeated losses of the HS biosynthesis pathway since its origin in the ancestral lineage. Our results hold promise for potential future applications in the artificial engineering of HS biosynthesis in Solanaceae crops.

Emerging Issues on Tropane Alkaloid Contamination of Food in Europe

The occurrence of tropane alkaloids (TAs), toxic plant metabolites, in food in Europe was studied to identify those TAs in food most relevant for human health. Information was extracted from the literature and the 2016 study from the European Food Safety Authority. Calystegines were identified as being inherent TAs in foods common in Europe, such as Solanum tuberosum (potato), S. melongena (eggplant, aubergine), Capsicum annuum (bell pepper) and Brassica oleracea (broccoli, Brussels sprouts). In addition, some low-molecular-weight tropanes and Convolvulaceae-type TAs were found inherent to bell pepper. On the other hand, atropine, scopolamine, convolvine, pseudotropine and tropine were identified as emerging TAs resulting from the presence of associated weeds in food. The most relevant food products in this respect are unprocessed and processed cereal-based foods for infants, young children or adults, dry (herbal) teas and canned or frozen vegetables. Overall, the occurrence data on both inherent as well as on associated TAs in foods are still scarce, highlighting the need for monitoring data. It also indicates the urge for food safety authorities to work with farmers, plant breeders and food business operators to prevent the spreading of invasive weeds and to increase awareness.

Fructus lycii: A Natural Dietary Supplement for Amelioration of Retinal Diseases

Fructus lycii (F. lycii) is an exotic "berry-type" fruit of the plant Lycium barbarum that is characterized by a complex mixture of bioactive compounds distinguished by their high antioxidant potential. F. lycii is used in traditional Chinese home cooking and in the Chinese Pharmacopeia as an aid to vision and longevity as well as a remedy for diabetes to balance "yin" and "yang" in the body for about two centuries. Although a myriad of bioactive compounds have been isolated from F. lycii, polysaccharides, carotenoids, flavonoids, and phenolics represent the key functional components of F. lycii. F. lycii has been shown to exhibit a wide range of biological activities in experimental settings including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiapoptotic, and neuroprotective effects. Despite its medicinal role dating back to the eighteenth century in the Far East and robust evidence of beneficial effects on ocular health and retinal diseases originating mainly from studies in animal models, the role of F. lycii in the clinical management of retinal diseases is yet to be established. This article comprehensively reviews the literature germane to F. lycii and retinal diseases with particular emphasis on age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and retinitis pigmentosa, which are commonly seen in clinical practice.

Simultaneous quantification of three tropane alkaloids in goji berries by cleanup of the graphene/hexagonal boron nitride hybrids and ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry

A modified quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged and safe method was established for simultaneous determination of atropine, anisodamine, and scopolamine in goji berries by using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry. The graphene/hexagonal boron nitride hybrids were prepared and first applied as a cleanup adsorbent. Compared to classical cleanup adsorbent (C₁₈ ), the graphene/hexagonal boron nitride hybrids as adsorbent had better extraction efficiency for the detection of analytes. Under the optimal conditions, the proposed analytical method achieved satisfactory linearity (R²  > 0.995), and obtained desirable recoveries ranged from 77.4 to 94.0% with the relative standard deviation of 1.2-6.1% at the concentration levels of 3.2-13.4 µg/kg. The limits of quantitation of atropine, anisodamine, and scopolamine were, respectively, 3.2, 4.6, and 4.5 µg/kg with linearity ranged from 3.2 to 25.4 µg/kg. The modified quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe sample preparation with ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry method was successfully applied to evaluate the safety of goji berries collected from 30 plant areas in China, suggesting its applicability and suitability for the routine analysis of three tropane alkaloids in goji berries.

Lycium Barbarum Exerts Protection against Glaucoma-Like Injury Via Inhibition of MMP-9 Signaling In Vitro

Background

The phytochemical ingredients of berries have been used in the treatment of various bodily ailments; while their roles in preventing the severity of glaucoma are poorly understood. Hence, the present study was framed to investigate whether ethanolic extracts of Lycium barbarum exerts protection against the onset of glaucoma using cultured PC12 neuronal cells by modulating the expression of extracellular matrix proteins.

Material/Methods

In order to develop glaucoma like condition in cells, cultured PC12 cells were subjected to 50 and 100 mmHg hydrostatic pressure for 24 hours. The pressure exposed cells were analyzed for the expression of glaucoma markers such as ANGPTL7 and the expressions of extracellular matrix proteins in the presence and absence of L. barbarum, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 inhibitor, and latanoprost, a current drug for the treatment of glaucoma.

Results

PC12 cells exposed to hydrostatic pressures (50 and 100 mmHg) increased the expression of glaucoma marker, ANGPTL7. Moreover, results have demonstrated the significant changes in the expression of MMP-2, MMP-9, collagen I, and TGF-β at the gene level. In contrast, cells pretreated with L. barbarum extracts showed reduced expression of ANGPTL7 and extracellular matrix proteins compared to control. Furthermore, to elucidate the role of MMP-9 in the onset of glaucoma, cells were silenced using MMP-9 inhibitor along with L. barbarum demonstrated a significant reduction in the glaucoma marker ANGPTL7 while improving the expression of caveolin-1 expression in cells subjected to pressure.

Conclusions

The extract of L. barbarum protects the cells from intraocular pressure by activating caveolin-1 dependent pathway via inhibition of MMP-9 expression.

Impact of Nitrogen Fertilizer Levels on Metabolite Profiling of the Lycium barbarum L. Fruit

The yield and quality of goji (Lycium barbarum L.) fruit are heavily dependent on fertilizer, especially the availability of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (N, P, and K, respectively). In this study, we performed a metabolomic analysis of the response of goji berry to nitrogen fertilizer levels using an Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography-Electrospray Ionization-Tandem Mass Spectrometry (UPLC-ESI-MS/MS) method. There was no significant difference in the fruit yield or the commodity grade between N0 (42.5 g/plant), N1 (85 g/plant), and N2 (127.5 g/plant). The primary nutrients of the goji berry changed with an increasing nitrogen fertilization. Comparative metabolomic profiling of three nitrogen levels resulted in the identification of 612 metabolites, including amino acids, flavonoids, carbohydrates, organic acids, and lipids/alcohols, among others, of which 53 metabolites (lipids, fatty acids, organic acids, and phenolamides) demonstrated significant changes. These results provide new insights into the molecular mechanisms of the relationship between yield and quality of goji berry and nitrogen fertilizer.

Comparative Metabolic Profiling of Lycium Fruits (Lycium barbarum and Lycium chinense) from Different Areas in China and from Nepal

Lycium fruits (Lycium barbarum, Lycium chinense) are mainly cultivated and distributed in Northwest China. The fruits and root bark have been used in Chinese traditional medicine for centuries. In this study, Lycium dry fruit extracts from the main cultivation areas in China together with a sample from Nepal were subjected to a comparative metabolic profiling, including total carbohydrate content, total phenolic content, vitamin C content, carotenoid content, and mineral contents. Results showed that there was a slight difference in contents of nutrients and phytochemicals among samples from different areas. The total carbohydrate content was higher in the sample from Guazhou, Gansu province (69.47%), with an average value of total carbohydrate content of 61.59%, while the highest total phenolic content value was 14.13 mgGAE/g from Nepal. Data concerning vitamin C content ranged between 33.15 and 113.8 mg/100 g, with an average value of 55.29 mg/100 g. Zeaxanthin dipalmitate content in Lycium dry fruits ranged from 419.34 to 1008.90 μg/g among the different samples, with the highest content (1008.90 μg/g) observed in Tianjing. It appeared that we could not clearly differentiate Lycium samples in terms of their metabolic and mineral profile. The quantitative difference observed among samples might be linked to soil composition and environmental aspect of the harvest place. Our results were somehow in the same range as those reported in the literature. Therefore, Lycium fruits could be used as a dietary source of natural function foods and be worthy of development and utilization.

Microstructural and histochemical characteristics of Lycium barbarum L. fruits used in folk herbal medicine and as functional food

Lycium barbarum L. fruits, referred to as functional food, have long been used in traditional and folk herbal medicine due to their therapeutic properties. The fruit microstructure was analysed using light, scanning and transmission electron microscopes. The distribution of bioactive compounds in drupe tissues was assessed with histochemical and fluorescence assays. The analysis of the microstructure has shown that the fruit is covered by a skin with an amorphous cuticle and a layer of amorphous epicuticular waxes on the surface. The skin is composed of a single-layered epidermis with thickened walls and one layer of hypodermis with slightly thickened periclinal walls. The pericarp cells contain different types of chromoplasts, which most often contained exhibited reticulotubules/fibrils of carotenoid pigments and phytoferritine deposits. The results of the histochemical assays demonstrated that the secondary metabolites with high phytotherapeutic importance were located in all layers of the pericarp and seeds and, specifically, in the drupe exocarp and endocarp. The phytochemicals were represented by polysaccharides (LBP), lipid compounds (carotenoids, essential oils, sesquiterpenes, steroids), polyphenols (tannins and flavonoids), and alkaloids. This study, which is the first report of the microstructure and localisation of bioactive compounds in wolfberries, is a valuable complement of phytochemical analyses and can be helpful for enhancement of the therapeutic effect of the fruit as well as preliminary assessment of the medicinal potential in the search for new pharmaceuticals. Detailed anatomical studies are crucial for exploration of determinants of fruit quality and useful for identification of diagnostic taxonomic traits.

A modified QuEChERS method coupled with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry for the simultaneous detection and quantification of scopolamine, L-hyoscyamine, and sparteine residues in animal-derived food products

We developed a modified Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged, and Safe (CEN QuEChERS) extraction method coupled with liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI⁺/MS-MS) to identify and quantify residues of three botanical alkaloids, namely, scopolamine, L-hyoscyamine, and sparteine, in animal-derived foods, including porcine muscle, egg, and milk. A combination of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid disodium buffer and acetonitrile acidified with 0.5% trifluoroacetic acid was used as an extraction solvent, whereas QuEChERS (CEN, 15662) kits and sorbents were applied for cleanup procedures. The proposed method was validated by determining the limits of quantification (LOQs), with values of 1-5 µg/kg achieved for the target analytes in various matrices. Linearity was estimated from matrix-matched calibration curves constructed using six concentration levels ranging from 1- to 6-fold increases in the LOQs of each analyte, and the correlation coefficients (R² ) were ≥0.9869. Recoveries (at three concentration levels of 1-, 2-, and 3-fold increases in the LOQ) of 73-104% were achieved with relative standard deviations (RSDs) ≤7.7% (intra-day and inter-day precision). Ten types of each matrix procured from large markets were evaluated, and all tested samples showed negative results. The current protocol is simple and versatile and can be used for routine detection of plant alkaloids in animal food products.

Systematic Review of Chemical Constituents in the Genus Lycium (Solanaceae)

The Lycium genus is widely used as a traditional Chinese medicine and functional food. Many of the chemical constituents of the genus Lycium were reported previously. In this review, in addition to the polysaccharides, we have enumerated 355 chemical constituents and nutrients, including 22 glycerogalactolipids, 29 phenylpropanoids, 10 coumarins, 13 lignans, 32 flavonoids, 37 amides, 72 alkaloids, four anthraquinones, 32 organic acids, 39 terpenoids, 57 sterols, steroids, and their derivatives, five peptides and three other constituents. This comprehensive study could lay the foundation for further research on the Lycium genus.

Validated method for the analysis of goji berry, a rich source of zeaxanthin dipalmitate

In the present study an HPLC-DAD method was developed for the determination of the main carotenoid, zeaxanthin dipalmitate, in the fruits of Lycium barbarum. The aim was to develop and optimize an extraction protocol to allow fast, exhaustive, and repeatable extraction, suitable for labile carotenoid content. Use of liquid N2 allowed the grinding of the fruit. A step of ultrasonication with water removed efficiently the polysaccharides and enabled the exhaustive extraction of carotenoids by hexane/acetone 50:50. The assay was fast and simple and permitted the quality control of a large number of commercial samples including fruits, juices, and a jam. The HPLC method was validated according to ICH guidelines and satisfied the requirements. Finally, the overall method was validated for precision (% RSD ranging between 3.81 and 4.13) and accuracy at three concentration levels. The recovery was between 94 and 107% with RSD values <2%, within the acceptable limits, especially if the difficulty of the matrix is taken into consideration.

An Evidence-Based Systematic Review of Goji (Lycium spp.) by the Natural Standard Research Collaboration

An evidence-based systematic review of goji (Lycium spp.) by the Natural Standard Research Collaboration consolidates the safety and efficacy data available in the scientific literature using a validated, reproducible grading rationale. This article includes written and statistical analysis of clinical trials, plus a compilation of expert opinion, folkloric precedent, history, pharmacology, kinetics/dynamics, interactions, adverse effects, toxicology, and dosing.

Quantitative analysis of betaine in Lycii Fructus by HILIC-ELSD

A rapid and simple high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method with evaporative light scattering detection (ELSD) was developed for the determination of betaine from Lycii Fructus. Betaine was separated with an Atlantis hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography silica column (4.6 × 150 mm, 5 μm, 100 Å) by isocratic elution using 30 mM ammonium acetate buffer and acetonitrile (20:80, v/v %) as the mobile phase. The flow rate was 1.0 mL/min, and the temperature for the spray chamber and drift tube was set at 30 and 50 °C, respectively. The method was fully validated with respect to linearity, precision, accuracy, stability and robustness. The HPLC/ELSD method was applied successfully to the quantification of betaine in the extract of Lycii Fructus. The HPLC analytical method for pattern recognition analysis was validated by repeated analysis of twenty-six L. barbarum L. from China (BC01-BC26), 3 L. barbarum L. (BJ27-BJ29) from Japan, 12 L. chinense Miller from China (CC30-CC41) and 51 L. chinense Miller samples (CK42-CK92) from Korea. The results indicate that the established HPLC/ELSD method is suitable for quality evaluation of Lycii Fructus.

Determination of carbohydrates in Folium Lysium Chinensis using capillary electrophoresis combined with far-infrared light irradiation-assisted extraction

In this work, a method based on capillary electrophoresis with amperometric detection and far-infrared-assisted extraction has been developed for the determination of mannitol, sucrose, glucose and fructose in Folium Lysium Chinensis, a commonly used traditional Chinese medicine. The water-soluble constituents in the herbal drug were extracted with double distilled water with the assistance of far-infrared radiations. The effects of detection potential, irradiation time, and the voltage applied on the infrared generator were investigated to acquire the optimum analysis conditions. The detection electrode was a 300-μm-diameter copper disk electrode at a detection potential of +0.65 V. The four carbohydrates could be well separated within 18 min in a 50-cm length fused-silica capillary at a separation voltage of 9 kV in a 50-mM NaOH aqueous solution. The relation between peak current and analyte concentration was linear over about three orders of magnitude with detection limits (S/N=3) ranging from 0.66 to 1.15 μM for all analytes. The results indicated that far infrared significantly enhanced the extraction efficiency of the carbohydrates in Folium Lysium Chinensis. The extraction time was significantly reduced to 7 min compared with several hours for conventional hot solvent extraction.

Sesquiterpene lactones and their precursors as chemosystematic markers in the tribe Cichorieae of the Asteraceae

This review summarizes all reports on sesquiterpene lactones and their immediate precursors from the Cichorieae (Lactuceae) tribe of the Asteraceae. A total of 360 compounds have been reported from this tribe. The reported substances belong to three classes of sesquiterpenoids: guaianolides (243 compounds), eudesmanolides (73 compounds), and germacranolides (44 compounds). Sources of these compounds encompass 139 taxa from 31 different genera. The distribution of these lactones within the tribe Cichorieae is discussed in a chemosystematic context. Moreover, some general ideas about the interpretation of chemosystematic data are discussed.