Determination of the chemical components and phospholipids of velvet antler using UPLC/QTOF-MS coupled with UNIFI software

Velvet antler, which exhibits immune and growth enhancing effects, is commonly used in a variety of Asian health care products, but its complex components remain unknown. The current study analyzed extracts using ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry in the MS^E mode. Automated detection and data filtering were performed using UNIFI software and peaks were compared with a proprietary scientific library (Traditional Medicine Library; TML). The results obtained using different data processing parameters (including 3D peak detection, target by mass and fragment identification) were evaluated against 87 compounds comprising 1 lignan, 30 terpenoids (including 20 triterpenes), 39 steroids, 8 alkaloids, 4 organic acids and 5 esters in the TML. Using a screening method with a mass accuracy cutoff of ±2 mDa, a retention time cutoff of ±0.2 min, a minimum response threshold of 1,000 counts and an average of 10 false detects per sample analysis, 16 phospholipids were identified in the extracts of velvet antler, three of which were quantified. The results demonstrated that there was 1.07±0.02 µg/g of 1-myristoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine, 7.05±0.52 ng/g of 1,2-dimyristoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine and 18.81±0.55 ng/g of 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine in velvet antler. The current study successfully identified certain components of velvet antler. Furthermore, the results may provide an experimental basis for further pharmacological and clinical study.

Pilose antler polypeptides ameliorates hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy by activated neurotrophic factors and SDF1/CXCR4 axis in rats

Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) is a complex condition which is associated with high mortality and morbidity. However, few promising treatments for HIE exist. In the present study, the central objective was to identify the therapeutic effect of pilose antler polypeptides (PAP) on HIE in rats. Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats (14 days old) were used and divided into three groups, including control group, hypoxic-ischemia (HI) group and PAP group. After 21 days of treatment, locomotor activity was improved in PAP-treated rats, brain atrophy was decreased and cerebral edema was mitigated to some extent. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) analysis indicated that PAP administration decreased the expressions of inflammatory cytokines and apoptosis genes in hippocampus compared with HI group. Furthermore, the mRNA expressions of genes related to neurotrophic factors were significantly increased in the hippocampus. In addition, the expressions of oxidative stress markers were all down-regulated after PAP administration. Moreover, PAP up-regulated both the mRNA and protein levels of SDF1 and CXCR4, which may activate the SDF1/CXCR4 axis to moderate brain injury. These results suggest that PAP may be potentially used in the treatment of HIE.