Lignan and Phthalide Derivatives from the Rhizome of Ligusticum chuanxiong (Rhizoma chuanxiong) and Evaluation of Their anti-Xanthine Oxidase Activities

Chuanxiong Rhizoma extracts alleviate hyperuricaemia-induced renal injury by reducing serum UA levels and renoprotection

Chuanxiong Rhizoma is the dried rhizome of the Apiaceae plant Ligusticum chuanxiong Hort (Chuanxiong). Previously, we demonstrated the antihyperuricaemic and anti-acute gouty arthritis effects of Chuanxiong Rhizoma ethyl acetate extracts (ECX B) in mice. However, it is unclear whether ECX B is optimal for lowering urate levels. This study aims to find the optimal extraction of the Chuanxiong Rhizoma in hyperuricemia rats. Further to explore the anti-hyperuricemia effects, underlying mechanism, and the main active compounds in vitro and in vivo. This study demonstrated that ECX B was the most effective extract in lowering uric acid levels and protecting the kidneys in vivo among the different tested extracts. ECX B significantly reduced the serum uric acid (UA), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine (CRE) and xanthine oxidase (XOD) levels and alleviated kidney pathology in hyperuricaemic rats, modulated the mRNA and protein expression of the UA transporters urate transporter 1 (URAT1), glucose transporter 9 (GLUT9), organic anion transporter 1 (OAT1) and ATP binding cassette subfamily G member 2 (ABCG2). Subsequently, 23 compounds were prepared and characterized by a series of natural medicinal chemistry techniques. Then, we found that (Z)-3-butylidene-4,5-dihydroxyphthalide (CX-F14) was the main active compound produced by ECX B. Overall, this work revealed that ECX B was the optimal Chuanxiong Rhizoma extract for the treatment of hyperuricaemia. ECX B exerted an antihyperuricaemic effect mainly by modulating UA transporters and protecting the kidney. CX-F14 is a possible active compound of ECX B. These findings could lead to new applications for Chuanxiong Rhizoma.

Ligusticum chuanxiong: a chemical, pharmacological and clinical review

Ethnopharmacological Relevance

The dried rhizome of Ligusticum chuanxiong S.H.Qiu, Y.Q.Zeng, K.Y.Pan, Y.C.Tang and J.M.Xu (Apiaceae; including the horticultural variety Ligusticum chuanxiong Hort.) [synonym: Conioselinum anthriscoides (H.Boissieu) Pimenov and Kljuykov (The taxonomic classification has been adopted by the World Checklist of Vascular Plants)] is a traditional Chinese botanical drug renowned for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It has been widely used to treatment various diseases, particularly cardio-cerebral vascular diseases (CCVDs).

Aim of the review

This review aims to summarize recent advances in Ligusticum chuanxiong (CX) research, including its chemical composition and pharmacological effects, and modern clinical applications.

Materials and methods

A systematic literature search was conducted using keywords such as "Chuanxiong," "traditional Chinese medicine," "chemical components," "metabolites," "CCVDs," and "pharmacological effects" to identify relevant literature published between 2014 and 2025. Databases including PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and CNKI were utilized. Chemical structures in SMILES format were retrieved from the PubChem, and two-dimensional chemical structures were generated using ChemDraw Ultra 8.0. Classical prescriptions of chuanxiong were obtained from authoritative traditional Chinese medicine databases.

Results

Over 100 metabolites have been isolated and identified from CX, classified into nine major classes. Key bioactive compounds include senkyunolide A, ligustilide, tetramethylpyrazine (TMP), and ligusticum CX polysaccharides (LCP). CX demonstrates significant pharmacological effects in treating CCVDs, such as atherosclerosis (AS), myocardial and cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury, and hypertension. Its therapeutic mechanisms include antiplatelet activity, endothelial cell protection, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-apoptotic properties. CX can be administered alone or in combination with other traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) or chemical drugs, showing efficacy in cardiovascular, nervous system, digestive system disorders, as well as analgesia and anticancer activities.

Conclusion

CX holds substantial clinical value for treating multi-system diseases, with extensive evidence supporting its use in CCVDs. Further research and clinical exploration of CX are warranted to fully harness its therapeutic potential.

Rapid screening of xanthine oxidase inhibitors from Ligusticum wallichii by using xanthine oxidase functionalized magnetic metal-organic framework

In this study, xanthine oxidase was immobilized for the first time using a novel magnetic metal-organic framework material (Fe3O4-SiO2-NH2@MnO2@ZIF-8-NH2). A ligand fishing method was established to rapidly screen XOD inhibitors from Ligusticum wallichii based on the immobilized XOD. Characterization and properties of the immobilized enzyme revealed its excellent stability and reusability. A ligand was screened from Ligusticum wallichii and identified as ligustilide by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. The IC50 value of ligustilide was determined to be 27.70 ± 0.13 μM through in vitro inhibition testing. Furthermore, molecular docking verified that ligustilide could bind to amino acid residues at the active site of XOD. This study provides a rapid and effective method for the preliminary screening of XOD inhibitors from complex natural products and has great potential for further discovery of anti-hyperuricemic compounds.

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