Analysis of terpene compounds in Cimicifuga foetida L. by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography with evaporative light scattering detection

Linoleic acid metabolism is implicated in the anti-obesity effects of actein in C57BL/6 mice

Natural products are known to be a rich source of potential compounds for metabolic diseases. In this study, we aim to identify the lead compounds with anti-adipogenic and anti-obesity effects in Cimicifuga foetida L. (CF). Five high-content chemicals from ethyl acetate extract of CF (ECF) were isolated to investigate their effects on adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. Actein is identified to possess substantial anti-adipogenic activity in 3T3-L1 adipocytes, which exerts its anti-adipogenic effect throughout the entire adipocyte differentiation stages. Dietary actein ameliorates diet-induced obesity, improves the disturbed serum lipid levels, and enhances white fat browning in diet-induced obese mice. Metabolomic analysis using urine and serum samples from mice revealed that actein treatment reverses the dysregulation of γ-linolenic acid and lecithin in obese mice, thus ameliorating the disturbance of linoleic acid metabolism induced by high-fat diet, suggesting that actein can be used as a lead compound with the potential to develop new therapies for obesity and related metabolic disorders.

Traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology and toxicology of the genus Cimicifuga: A review

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Plants of the genus Cimicifuga have long been used as an ethnomedicine in China, Europe, and North America for its high medicinal value and health benefits. Their dried rhizomes are widely used for treating wind-heat headache, toothache, aphtha, sore throat, measles, spot poison, archoptosis, and uterine prolapse. In addition, it is used as a dietary supplement for preventing women menopausal symptoms and osteoporosis.

AIM OF THE REVIEW

This paper aims to provide up-to-date information on the genus Cimicifuga, including botanical characterization, medicinal resources, traditional medicinal uses, phytochemistry, quality control, pharmacological research as well as the toxicology. The possible structural-activity relationships and molecular mechanisms of the bioactive constituents are discussed in ways that contribute to the structural optimization and preclinical safety assessment for further drug design.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The relevant information on Cimicifuga was collected from scientific databases (such as Google Scholar, PubMed, SciFinder Scholar, Science Direct, CNKI, Baidu Scholar, Web of Science, China Knowledge Resource Integrated Database), Chinese herbal classics, ethnobotanical books, PhD and MSc dissertations, Chinese Pharmacopoeia, published articles in peer-reviewed journals, local magazines, and unpublished materials. In addition, the Plant List (TPL, www.theplantlist.org) was also used to validate the scientific names and synonyms of this plant. The literature cited in this review dated from 1953 to 2017.

RESULTS

The majority of chemical constituents of this plant include triterpenoid glycosides, phenylpropanoids, nitrogenous compounds, chromones, flavonoids and 4α-methyl steroid. Among them, the primary bioactive constituents are believed to be present in the triterpene glycoside fraction. To date, investigation of seven Cimicifuga spp. plants led to the identification of more than 457 compounds. Years of pharmacological research proved that the crude extracts and certain pure compounds obtained from Cimicifuga exhibited menopausal syndrome-treatment, anti-osteoporosis, antiviral, antitumor, antioxidant and antiangiogenic activities. On the other hand, Cimicifuga plant-induced toxicities of liver, cardiovascular, central and peripheral nervous systems have also been reported. Therefore, safety consideration should be placed into a high priority for herbal medicine Cimicifuga therapy in the early stages of development and clinical trials.

CONCLUSIONS

This review presents information on botany, medicinal resources, and traditional medicinal history of some Cimicifuga plants. Modern pharmacology researchers have validated many traditional uses of Cimicifuga species. As the quality control and safety assessment of Cimicifuga plants is still incomplete, only a small part of the plant is permitted to be used as medicines. Expansion of medicinal resources in Cimicifuga is urgently needed to enable its full use. Currently research primarily focuses on the triterpenoid glycosides but there are many other types of compounds which may possess new biological activities however the systematic studies of these compounds are lacking. Extensive study is required on Cimicifuga plant before it can be fully used in clinics as a potent drug candidate.

Review: DNA Barcoding and Chromatography Fingerprints for the Authentication of Botanicals in Herbal Medicinal Products

In the last two decades, there has been a tremendous increase in the global use of herbal medicinal products (HMPs) due to their claimed health benefits. This has led to increase in their demand and consequently, also, resulted in massive adulteration. This is due to the fact that most of the traditional methods cannot identify closely related species in a process product form. Therefore the urgent need for simple and rapid identification methods resulted in the discovery of a novel technique. DNA barcoding is a process that uses short DNA sequence from the standard genome for species identification. This technique is reliable and is not affected by external factors such as climates, age, or plant part. The difficulties in isolation of DNA of high quality in addition to other factors are among the challenges encountered using the DNA barcoding in the authentication of HMP. These limitations indicated that using DNA barcoding alone may ineffectively authenticate the HMP. Therefore, the combination of DNA barcoding with chromatographic fingerprint, a popular and generally accepted technique for the assessment and quality control of HMP, will offer an efficient solution to effectively evaluate the authenticity and quality consistency of HMP. Detailed and quality information about the main composition of the HMPs will help to ascertain their efficacy and safety as these are very important for quality control.

Phytochemical screening and analgesic profile of the lyophilized aqueous extract obtained from Chrysobalanus icaco leaves in experimental protocols

CONTEXT

Chrysobalanus icaco L. (Chrysobalanaceae) has been used for the treatment of abdominal pain and cramps.

OBJECTIVE

Assess the chemical and pharmacological profile of the lyophilized aqueous extract from C. icaco leaves (AEC).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Chromatographic methods were used to assess compounds from AEC. Mice were treated with vehicle (control group) or AEC (100, 200 or 400 mg/kg, p.o.) (group with 7-8 mice) and the analgesic profile was assessed employing the acetic acid-induced writhing, formalin, hot plate tests and hyperalgesia induced by carrageenan (CG) or tumour necrosis factor-alpha. The animal motor performance was assessed using rota-rod and grip strength tests.

RESULTS

The chromatographic profile of AEC demonstrated the presence of terpenoid compounds. The acute pretreatment with AEC, at all doses, produced a significant (p < 0.01) inhibition of painful bahaviour (11.4 ± 3.6; 10.3 ± 2.8; 11.3 ± 2.2) when compared to the control group (24.7 ± 4.7) in acetic acid-induced writhing test. In the formalin test, AEC were effective in the second phase (p < 0.01) (57.2 ± 10.3; 56.3 ± 9.2; 54.7 ± 8.9) when compared to control group (121.9 ± 18.5). No response was observed in the hot plate test. The higher dose of AEC produced a significant (p < 0.01 or p < 0.05) inhibitory effect on the mechanical hyperalgesia test. AEC did not affect the motor performance of the mice.

DISCUSSION

The terpenoids from AEC are known for its analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties. So, these results corroborate the experiments using the AEC in inflammatory pain protocols.

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest that AEC act against inflammatory pain.

Mass spectrometry detection in comprehensive liquid chromatography: basic concepts, instrumental aspects, applications and trends

The review, as can be deduced from the title, focuses on both theoretical and practical aspects of the use of mass spectrometry as a third, added dimension to a comprehensive LC (LC × LC) system, generating the most powerful analytical tool today for non-volatile analytes. The first part deals with the technical requirements for linkage of an LC × LC system to an MS one, including the choice of the mobile phase (buffer and salts), flow rate (splitting), type of ionization (interface); advantages and disadvantages of off-line and on-line methods are discussed, as well. A discussion of the various aspects of instrumentation is provided, both from a chromatographic and mass spectrometry standpoint, with particular emphasis directed to the choice of column sets, spatial resolution, mass resolving power, mass accuracy, and tandem-MS capabilities. The extent to which mass spectrometry may be of aid in unraveling column-outlet multicompound bands is highlighted, along with its effectiveness as a chromatographic detector of excellent sensitivity, universality yet with potential in terms of selectivity and amenability to quantitative analysis over a wide dynamic range. The following section of the review contains significant applications of comprehensive two-dimensional LC coupled to MS in different areas of research, with details on interfaces, column stationary phases, modulation and MS parameters. It is not the intention of the authors to provide a comprehensive description of the techniques, but merely to discuss only those aspects which are essential for successful applications of the LC-MS combination. The reader will be acquainted with the enormous potential of this hyphenated technique, and the factors and instrumental developments that have concurred to make it emerge to a central role in specialized fields, such as proteomics.

Pharmacokinetics and bioavailability of cimicifugosides after oral administration of Cimicifuga foetida L. extract to rats

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Cimicifuga foetida L., a traditional Chinese medicine, has been used as an anti-inflammatory, antipyretic and analgesic remedy. The primary active constituents are believed to be present in the triterpene glycoside fraction.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

To develop an LC-MS/MS assay for four major cimicifugosides [cimicifugoside H-1 (Cim A), 23-epi-26-deoxyactein (Cim B), cimigenolxyloside (Cim C) and 25-O-acetylcimigenoside (Cim D)] obtained from C. foetida L. and apply it to investigate their pharmacokinetic (PK) properties and bioavailabilities through oral administration of C. foetida L. extract (12.5, 25 and 50mg/kg) and single intravenous (i.v.) doses (5mg/kg) of the individual cimicifugosides in rat. PK parameters were estimated by non-compartmental analysis.

RESULTS

All calibration curves showed excellent linear regressions (all r>0.995) within the range of tested concentrations. The intra- and inter-day variations were <15% in terms of RSD. The molar ratio of Cims A, B, C, and D in the extract was 20.7:1.4:2.9:1. PK parameters for Cims A, B, C, and D following oral administration of the extract were respectively: C(max) 4.05-17.69, 90.93-395.7, 407.1-1180 and 21.56-45.09pmol/mL; T(max) 0.46-1.28, 2.00-4.67, 14.67-19.67 and 8.08-14.27h; absolute oral bioavailability (F) 1.86-6.97%, 26.8-48.5%, 238-319% and 32.9-48%. PK parameters after i.v. administration of individual cimicifugosides were respectively: elimination half-life 1.1, 2.5, 5.7 and 4.2h; clearance 15.7, 0.48, 0.24 and 1.13mL/hkg.

CONCLUSIONS

Systemic exposure to Cims B, C and D following oral administration of the extract was significantly greater than to Cim A despite the predominance of Cim A in the extract. Significantly different clearance and interconversion from Cim A to Cim C probably accounts for the different exposure to the four cimicifugosides.

Analysis of euphornin in Euphorbia helioscopia L. and its cytotoxicity to mice lung adenocarcinoma cells (LA795)

Euphorbia helioscopia L. has been used as a herbal remedy for cancer in mainland China. Euphornin is one of the main bioactive constituents with the maximal content of Euphorbia helioscopia L. A reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography method with evaporative light scattering detection (ELSD) was developed for the analysis of euphornin for better quality control of E. helioscopia L. A good calibration curve in double logarithmic coordinator for euphornin was obtained. The validation study showed high recoveries (>97.0%) and low coefficient of variation (<3.0%). The use of the method on different euphornin extract samples confirmed its effectiveness. It was shown that ELSD was an effective detection method for the analysis of the non-volatile diterpenes from plants used in traditional Chinese medicine. The evaluation of the cytotoxicity of euphornin to mice lung adenocarcinoma cells (LA795) suggested that euphornin was one of the constituents of E. helioscopia L. responsible for the cytotoxicity against carcinoma cells.

Recent developments and contributions from Chinese scientists in multidimensional separations for proteomics and traditional Chinese medicines

The most basic task in proteomics remains the detection and identification of proteins from a biological sample, and the most traditional way to achieve this goal consists in protein separations performed by two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (2-D PAGE). Yet the 2-D PAGE-mass spectrometry (MS) approach has its drawbacks with regard to automation, sensitivity, and throughput. Consequently, considerable effort has been devoted to the development of non-gel-based proteome separation technologies in an effort to alleviate the shortcomings of 2-D PAGE. In addition, traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs), due to their long period of clinical testing and reliable therapeutic efficacy, are attracting increased global attention. However, hundreds or even thousands of components are usually present in TCMs, which results in great difficulties of separation. As a mainstream separation tool, multidimensional liquid separation systems have shown powerful separation ability, high peak capacity, and excellent detectability in the analysis of complex samples including biological samples and TCMs, etc. Therefore, this review emphasizes the most recent advances in multidimensional liquid chromatography and capillary electrophoresis-based separation techniques, and the corresponding applications in proteomics and TCMs. In view of the significant contributions from Chinese scientists, this review focuses mainly on the work of Chinese scientists in the above fields.

Quality evaluation of Radix Astragali through a simultaneous determination of six major active isoflavonoids and four main saponins by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with diode array and evaporative light scattering detectors

A method, high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with diode array and evaporative light scattering detectors (HPLC-DAD-ELSD), was developed to evaluate the quality of Radix Astragali through a simultaneous determination of six major active isoflavonoids and four main saponins. The wavelength at 280 nm was chosen to determine six isoflavonoids: calycosin-7-O-beta-D-glucoside (1), ononin (2), (6alphaR, 11alphaR)-9,10-dimethoxypterocarpan-3-O-beta-D-glucoside (3), (3R)-2'-hydroxy-3',4'-dimethoxyisoflavan-7-O-beta-D-glucoside (4), calycosin (5), and formononetin (6); and ELSD connected after DAD was employed to determine four saponins: astragaloside IV (7), astragaloside II (8), astragaloside I (9), and acetylastragaloside I (10). This assay was fully validated with respect to precision, repeatability and accuracy. The proposed method was successfully applied to quantify the ten components in eleven samples from different localities in China; significant variations were demonstrated in the content of these compounds in the samples from different areas. This simple, rapid, low-cost and reliable HPLC-DAD-ELSD method is suitable for routine quantitative analysis and quality control of traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) consisting of bioactive multi-components with different structures such as Radix Astragali.

Cimicifuga species identification by high performance liquid chromatography-photodiode array/mass spectrometric/evaporative light scattering detection for quality control of black cohosh products

Black cohosh has become one of the most important herbal products in the US dietary supplements market. It is manufactured from roots and rhizomes of Cimicifuga racemosa (Ranunculaceae). Botanical identification of the raw starting material is a key step in the quality control of black cohosh preparations. The present report summarizes a fingerprinting approach based on high performance liquid chromatography-photodiode array/mass spectrometric/evaporative light scattering detection (HPLC-PDA/MS/ELSD) that has been developed and validated using a total of 10 Cimicifuga species. These include three North American species, Cimicifuga racemosa, Cimicifuga americana, Cimicifuga rubifolia, and seven Asian species, Cimicifuga acerina, Cimicifuga biternat, Cimicifuga dahurica, Cimicifuga heracleifolia, Cimicifuga japonica, Cimicifuga foetida, and Cimicifuga simplex. The chemotaxonomic distinctiveness of the HPLC fingerprints allows identification of all 10 Cimicifuga species. The triterpene glycoside cimigenol-3-O-arabinoside (3), cimifugin (12), and cimifugin-3-O-glucoside (18) were determined to be suitable species-specific markers for the distinction of C. racemosa from the other Cimicifuga species. In addition to identification, the fingerprint method provided insight into chemical interconversion processes occurring between the diverse triterpene glycosides contained in black cohosh. The reported method has proven its usefulness in the botanical standardization and quality control of black cohosh products.

Separation and detection of compounds in Honeysuckle by integration of ion-exchange chromatography fractionation with reversed-phase liquid chromatography-atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometer and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry analysis

A hyphenated method for the isolation and identification of components in a traditional Chinese medicine of Honeysuckle was developed. Ion-exchange chromatography (IEC) was chosen for the fractionation of Honeysuckle extract, and then followed by concentration of all the fractions with rotary vacuum evaporator. Each of the enriched fractions was then further analyzed by reversed-phase liquid chromatography-atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometer (RPLC-APCI/MS) and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF/MS) with matrix of oxidized carbon nanotubes, respectively. It can be noted totally more than 117 components were detected by UV detector, APCI/MS and MALDI-TOF/MS in Honeysuckle extract except the 145 components identified by MALDI-TOF/MS alone with this integrated approach, and 7 of them were preliminary identified according to their UV spectra and mass spectra performed by APCI/MS and MALDI-TOF/MS, respectively. The obtained analytical results not only indicated the approach of integration IEC fractionation with RPLC-APCI/MS and MALDI-TOF/MS is capable of analyzing complex samples, but also exhibited the potential power of the mass spectrometer in detection of low-mass compounds, such as traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) and complex biological samples.

Integration of ion-exchange chromatography fractionation with reversed-phase liquid chromatography-atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometer and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry for isolation and identification of compounds in Psoralea corylifolia

An approach for the separation and identification of components in a traditional Chinese medicine Psoralea corylifolia was developed. Ion-exchange chromatography (IEC) was applied for the fractionation of P. corylifolia extract, and then followed by concentration of all the fractions with rotary vacuum evaporator. Each of the enriched fractions was then further separated on an ODS column with detection of UV absorbance and atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometer (APCI/MS), respectively, and also analyzed by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF/MS) with matrix of oxidized carbon nanotubes. Totally more than 188 components in P. corylifolia extract were detected with this integrated approach, and 12 of them were preliminary identified according to their UV spectra and mass spectra performed by APCI/MS and MALDI-TOF/MS. The obtained analytical results not only demonstrated the powerful resolution of integration IEC fractionation with reversed-phase liquid chromatography (RPLC)-APCI/MS and MALDI-TOF/MS for analysis of compounds in a complex sample, but also exhibited the superiority of APCI/MS and MALDI-TOF/MS for identification of low-mass compounds, such as for study of traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) and metabolome.

Simultaneous Determination of Major Bioactive Components in Qingkailing Injection by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography with Evaporative Light Scattering Detection

High-performance liquid chromatography with evaporative light scattering detection (HPLC/ELSD) was established for simultaneous determination of seven major bioactive components of Qingkailing injection including adenosine, geniposide, chlorogenic acid, baicalin, ursodeoxycholic acid, cholic acid, and hyodeoxycholic acid. The proposed method was applied to analyze ten various Qingkailing injections and produced data with acceptable linearity, repeatability, precision and accuracy having a limit of detection (LOD) of 10-50 ng. In comparison with UV detection, HPLC/ELSD permits the determination of non-chromophoric compounds without prior derivatization, and shows good compatibility to the multi-components of complex analytes. The proposed method is a useful alternative for routine analysis in the quality control of traditional Chinese medicine.

Recent advances in analysis of Chinese medical plants and traditional medicines

Chinese herbal medicine is gaining increasing popularity worldwide for health promotion and adjuvant therapy. Thus, selective and efficient analytical methods are required not only for quality assurance but also for authentication of the plant material. Applications of both chromatographic and electrophoretic techniques to the analysis of medicinal plants and Chinese traditional medicine preparations over the last 3 years are outlined in this review. The role of chemical fingerprinting is highlighted and a brief survey of determination of toxic components, natural and synthetic adulterants is also included. Moreover, different sample pretreatment and extraction methods are discussed.

Quantification of major lipid classes in human triacylglycerol-rich lipoproteins by high-performance liquid chromatography with evaporative light-scattering detection

Triacylglycerol-rich lipoproteins (TRL), comprising chylomicrons (CM) and very-low-density lipoproteins (VLDL), have been associated with cardiovascular disease. The lipid class content in the remnant particles of these lipoproteins is a determinant for the accumulation of lipids in macrophages and their transformation into foam cells. We have optimized a method for the simultaneous determination of cholesteryl esters (CE), triacylglycerols (TG), free cholesterol (FC), monoacylglycerols (MG), and phospholipids (PL) by HPLC coupled to a light-scattering detector (ELSD). A diol column and a ternary gradient of hexane, 2-propanol, and methanol were applied to CM and VLDL of human origin (n = 10), with excellent precision in terms of repeatability of peak areas and retention times. All peaks were baseline resolved although the resolution of CE and TG was compromised for the sake of simplicity of the solvent gradient. The ELSD response was fitted to second-order equations, with correlation coefficients (r2) higher than 0.999 for a wide range of concentrations (0.25-10 microg of lipid injected). TG were the major lipid class detected in human TRL, accounting for 62% in CM obtained 2 h after the oil intake. In addition we recorded a depletion of TG and CE in CM obtained 2 h after the oil intake of about 60%. We conclude that the method reported here is suitable for a rapid and precise determination of lipid classes in human TRL and, therefore, may be a useful tool for investigations on the atherogenicity of these lipoproteins.

Separation and identification of compounds in Rhizoma chuanxiong by comprehensive two-dimensional liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry

A comprehensive two-dimensional liquid chromatographic separation system based on the combination of a CN column and an ODS column is developed for the separation of components in a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) Rhizoma chuanxiong. Two columns are coupled by a two-position, eight-port valve equipped with two storage loops and controlled by a computer. The effluent is detected by both the diode array detector and atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) mass spectrometer. More than 52 components in the methanol extract of R. chuanxiong were resolved and 11 of them were preliminary identified according to their UV and mass spectra.