Combining online size exclusion chromatography and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry to characterize plant polysaccharides

Exploring the In Vivo Fate of β-1, 3/1, 6-Glucan Using Quantitative Tandem Mass Spectrometry Based on a Structure-Specific Fragment

β-glucan, a promising drug candidate for immuno-antitumor therapy, holds tremendous potential for clinical applications. However, the absence of highly sensitive quantitative methods for polysaccharides, attributed to their complicated chemical structures and susceptibility to endogenous interference, has posed significant challenges for their clinical development. Here, we report a highly sensitive and reliable analytical strategy for quantifying β-1, 3/1, 6-glucan derived from Durvillaea antarctica (BG136) in various biological matrices. This approach integrates targeted depolymerization and derivatization, followed by oligosaccharide isomer fingerprinting using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS). The absolute quantification of BG136 relied on the abundance of the structure-specific trisaccharide (Glc-β1, 6-Glc-β1, 3-Glc) generated. This methodology not only facilitates prototype-based BG136 administration but also exhibits remarkable sensitivity. Following method optimization and validation, we successfully explored the in vivo fate of BG136 across multiple models, including cellular uptake and release kinetics, as well as preclinical and clinical pharmacokinetics. These achievements provide insight into the "black box" of BG136 from administration to elimination in vivo. This work marks the first practical application of this strategy in complex biological matrices, offering methodological support for the successful execution of the BG136 Phase I clinical trial.

Comprehensive characterization of active components in Salvia miltiorrhiza using polarity-partitioned two-dimensional liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry

Salvia miltiorrhiza, a widely used traditional Chinese medicine, contains a complex matrix of hydrophobic diterpenoids and hydrophilic phenolic acids, presenting significant challenges in comprehensive analysis. In this study, an online polarity-partitioned two-dimensional liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (2D-LC-MS) method was developed for comprehensive analysis of both lipophilic and hydrophilic active components in Salvia miltiorrhiza. The method integrated hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography (HILIC) and reversed-phase liquid chromatography (RPLC), facilitating the efficient separation of compounds across a wide range of polarities. An online dilution strategy was implemented, minimizing sample loss and enhancing the method's utility for quality control and chemical characterization of complex herbal matrices. Compared with other LC methods, this approach significantly improved analyte coverage, resolution, and analysis efficiency. Under optimal conditions, 150 active components were successfully identified, including 33 compounds newly discovered in Salvia miltiorrhiza. Additionally, the validated online method was applied to the quantitative determination of 16 quality markers of Salvia miltiorrhiza from different sources. The results demonstrated the online method's potential as a superior alternative to existing techniques, offering broader applicability in traditional Chinese medicine research.

Structural elucidation of Sulodexide with multidimensional chromatography and online in-source acid-induced dissociation mass spectrometry

Sulodexide, a heparinoid medicine, is wildly used in clinic for prophylaxis and treatment of thromboembolic diseases and diabetic nephropathy. Despite its widespread use, the structure of Sulodexide remains poorly understood. It consists of various polysaccharides characterized by differing sugar compositions, linkages, and sulfonation patterns, yet they share common features such as strong hydrophilicity, high native charges, and considerable polydispersity, posing significant challenges for conventional chromatographic and online mass spectrometry (MS) characterization. In this work, a novel analytical method combining multiple-heart cut 2D-LC and in-source acid-induced dissociation (inAID) MS was developed. Three polysaccharides in Sulodexide were separated by high efficient strong-anion-exchange chromatography, followed by desalting with the second dimensional size-exclusion chromatography before MS. A novel MS strategy employing inAID technique was utilized for online analysis, leading to the initial identification of Sulodexide polysaccharide components. The results were validated through disaccharide composition analysis of those three polysaccharide components after offline preparation. This advanced strategy, merging various techniques, enable a comprehensive structural elucidation of such complex drugs and provides a viable tool for potential routine analysis of complex biomolecules.

Preparation of carbon-rich material from Dendrobium officinale polysaccharide in deep eutectic system

A carbon-rich material (DESysChar) was prepared from polysaccharide within a deep eutectic system (DESys) containing oxalic acid, and systematically characterized using various analytical techniques. The investigation of reaction mechanism revealed concurrent dehydration and etherification processes. This study commenced with the extraction of plant polysaccharide using the DESys-based mechanochemical extraction method from Dendrobium officinale. Subsequently, the DESys method was used to carbonize the extracted Dendrobium officinale polysaccharide and produce DESysChar. DESysChar was then used for the adsorption and determination of pollutants in water. This study represents a significant advancement in eco-friendly material synthesis, enabling the low-temperature (120 °C) carbonization of plant-derived polysaccharides, thereby reducing energy consumption and environmental impact. The effective adsorption of methylene blue by DESysChar underscores its potential in environmental remediation. This study presents a more responsible and efficient approach to polysaccharide extraction and carbonization, addressing environmental concerns. Embracing the 4S workflow (involving Sustainable raw materials converted into Sustainable degradable products, by using Sustainable technology throughout the process to create a Sustainable environment) promotes sustainability in material development, laying the foundation for future eco-friendly practices in various industries. In summary, this study propels sustainable polysaccharide development for widespread use.

Isolation, structures, bioactivities, application and future prospective for polysaccharides from Tremella aurantialba: A review

Since ancient times, Tremella aurantialba has been proposed to have medicinal and food benefits. Modern phytochemistry and pharmacological studies have demonstrated that polysaccharides, the main components from T. aurantialba appear to be an all-round talent resisting a variety of chronic inflammatory diseases and protecting against different types of tumors, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. These health and pharmacological benefits have gained much attention from scholars around the world. Further, more and more methods for polysaccharides extraction, purification, structure identification have been proposed. Significantly, the bioactivity of fungus polysaccharides is affected by many factors such as extraction and purification conditions and chemical structure. This paper provides an overview of recent advances in the isolation, structural features and biological effects of polysaccharides derived from T. aurantialba, covers recent advances in the field and outlines future research and applications of these polysaccharides.

Analysis of carbohydrates and glycoconjugates by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry: An update for 2019-2020

This review is the tenth update of the original article published in 1999 on the application of matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry to the analysis of carbohydrates and glycoconjugates and brings coverage of the literature to the end of 2020. Also included are papers that describe methods appropriate to analysis by MALDI, such as sample preparation techniques, even though the ionization method is not MALDI. The review is basically divided into three sections: (1) general aspects such as theory of the MALDI process, matrices, derivatization, MALDI imaging, fragmentation, quantification and the use of arrays. (2) Applications to various structural types such as oligo- and polysaccharides, glycoproteins, glycolipids, glycosides and biopharmaceuticals, and (3) other areas such as medicine, industrial processes and glycan synthesis where MALDI is extensively used. Much of the material relating to applications is presented in tabular form. The reported work shows increasing use of incorporation of new techniques such as ion mobility and the enormous impact that MALDI imaging is having. MALDI, although invented nearly 40 years ago is still an ideal technique for carbohydrate analysis and advancements in the technique and range of applications show little sign of diminishing.

Comprehensive profiling of Sanguisorba officinalis using off-line two-dimensional mixed-mode liquid chromatography × reversed-phase liquid chromatography, tandem high-resolution mass spectrometry, and molecular network

The profiling of natural products is important in modern biological sciences and new drug development. However, the separation and characterization of complex herbal extracts are significantly challenging for researchers in the biochemical field. Herein, an off-line two-dimensional mixed-mode LC × reversed-phase LC system is developed. Our system exhibits high orthogonality and is composed of a newly prepared stationary phase in the first dimension and a traditional C₁₈ phase in the second dimension, and is operated in combination with high-resolution MS and molecular network. Sanguisorba officinalis L. is studied using the proposed method owing to its bioactivity. With the aid of orthogonal separation, the ionization of the individual components is improved. The number of detected compounds and separated peaks are significantly increased when one-dimensional-LC is upgraded to two-dimensional-LC. In addition, 270 compounds (127 of which are tentatively characterized as new compounds, and further confirmation is needed) are successfully characterized based on their fragmentation patterns under the guidance of molecular network, while only 95 compounds are characterized using one-dimensional-LC and high-resolution MS. The results indicate that the developed off-line two-dimensional mixed-mode LC × reversed-phase LC, tandem high-resolution MS, and molecular network method is effective for profiling complex samples. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Progress in the pretreatment and analysis of carbohydrates in food: An update since 2013

Carbohydrates in foods and other matrices plays vital roles in their diverse biological functions. Carbohydrates serve not only as functional substances but also as structural materials, such as components of membranes, and participate in cellular recognition. The fact that carbohydrates are indispensable has contributed to the need for pretreatment and analytical methods to be developed for their characterization. The aim of this review is to provide a comprehensive overview of carbohydrate pretreatment and determination methods in various matrices. The pretreatment methods include simple and more developed approaches (e.g., solid phase extraction, supercritical fluid extraction, and different microextraction methods, among others). The analytical methods include those by liquid chromatography (including high-performance anion-exchange chromatography), capillary electrophoresis, gas chromatography and supercritical fluid chromatography, and others. Different pretreatment methods and determination approaches are updated, compared, and discussed. Moreover, we discuss and compare the strengths and weaknesses of different methods and suggest their future prospects.

Rapid fingerprint analysis for herbal polysaccharides using direct analysis in real-time ionization mass spectrometry

RATIONALE

Herbal polysaccharides have various potential medicinal values. Development of reliable analytical method for the fingerprint analysis of polysaccharides is critical for their quality assessment, origin identification, and authenticity evaluation.

METHODS

Mechanochemical extraction (MCE) was used to extract polysaccharide components from different herbal species. Intact polysaccharides were then directly analyzed by direct analysis in real-time mass spectrometry (DART-MS). Standard addition method with isotope-labeled internal standard was used to quantify polysaccharide amounts directly from liquid extract. Multivariate data analysis was further conducted for species classification.

RESULTS

The intact and large polysaccharides were decomposed into small fragment ions less than m/z 350 instantaneously using DART ion source. Different polysaccharides showed distinguished fingerprint DART-MS spectra using both individual and mixed herbal species. The liquid supernatant from MCE was validated to be used as direct sample for DART-MS analysis. Quantitation was successfully achieved for polysaccharide contents in Dendrobium officinale from different locations.

CONCLUSIONS

A rapid fingerprint protocol in combination of MCE and DART-MS for herbal polysaccharides was developed. The whole process could be accomplished within a few minutes, from raw materials to final spectra, without requirements of pre-digestion and additional sample purification.

Exploiting the Amazing Diversity of Natural Source-Derived Polysaccharides: Modern Procedures of Isolation, Engineering, and Optimization of Antiviral Activities

Naturally occurring polysaccharide sulfates are highly diverse, owning variations in the backbone structure, linkage pattern and stereochemistry, branching diversity, sulfate content and positions of sulfate group(s). These structural characteristics bring about diverse sulfated polymers with dissimilar negative charge densities and structure-activity relationships. Herein, we start with a short discussion of techniques needed for extraction, purification, chemical sulfation, and structural characterization of polysaccharides. Processes of isolation and sulfation of plant-derived polysaccharides are challenging and usually involve two steps. In this context, we describe an integrated extraction-sulfation procedure that produces polysaccharide sulfates from natural products in one step, thereby generating additional pharmacological activities. Finally, we provide examples of the spectrum of natural source-derived polysaccharides possessing specific features of bioactivity, in particular focusing on current aspects of antiviral drug development and drug-target interaction. Thus, the review presents a detailed view on chemically engineered polysaccharides, especially sulfated derivatives, and underlines their promising biomedical perspectives.