LC–DAD and LC–ESI–MS Chromatographic Fingerprinting and Quantitative Analysis for Evaluation of the Quality of Huang-Lian-Jie-Du-Tang

Comprehensive analysis of Huanglian Jiedu decoction: Revealing the presence of a self-assembled phytochemical complex in its naturally-occurring precipitate

The current study presents a comprehensive analysis to explore the compositions of both the supernatant and naturally-occurring precipitate of Huanglian Jiedu decoction employing ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography hyphenated with quadrupole-Orbitrap high-resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap HRMS). Totally 109 constituents (32 alkaloids, 39 flavonoids, 12 iridoids, 9 phenolic acids, and 17 other compounds) were identified from accurate-mass measurements in full-scan MS/data-dependent MS/MS mode of acquisition. Furthermore, a quantitative method was developed for determination of 14 marker compounds in Huanglian Jiedu decoction. Experimental results revealed that all of these marker compounds were present in both the supernatant and naturally-occurring precipitate. Most notably, the contents of baicalin and berberine were significantly higher in the naturally-occurring precipitate than supernatant, presumably due to self-assembly complexation. The formation of the baicalin/berberine complex was comprehensively investigated by electrospray ionization (ESI)-MS, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), and fluorescence spectroscopy, etc. The morphology and size distribution of the baicalin/berberine self-assembled nanoparticles were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and dynamic light scattering (DLS). This study provides fundamental scientific evidence of the presence of a self-assembled phytochemical complex in the naturally-occurring precipitate, enabling better understanding of Huanglian Jiedu decoction.

Chemical Analysis and Multi-Component Determination in Chinese Medicine Preparation Bupi Yishen Formula Using Ultra-High Performance Liquid Chromatography With Linear Ion Trap-Orbitrap Mass Spectrometry and Triple-Quadrupole Tandem Mass Spectrometry

Bupi Yishen Formula (BYF), a Chinese medicine preparation, has been clinically applied for the recovery of chronic kidney disease and for delaying its progress. Nevertheless, the chemical components in BYF have yet to be fully clarified. Ultra-high performance liquid chromatography with linear ion trap-Orbitrap mass spectrometry (UHPLC-LTQ-Orbitrap-MSⁿ) and triple-quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-TQ-MS/MS) methods were developed for qualitative chemical profiling and multi-components quantitative analysis in BYF. The chromatographic separation was performed on a Phenomenex Kinetex C₁₈ column (2.1 × 100 mm i.d., 1.7 μm) using gradient elution of water (A) and acetonitrile (B) both containing 0.1% formic acid. Eighty-six compounds, including flavones, saponins, phenolic acids, and other compounds were authenticated or temporarily deduced according to their retention behaviors, mass mensuration, and characteristic fragment ions with those elucidated reference substances or literatures. Among the herbal medicinal materials of the formula, Astragali Radix, Codonopsis Radix, Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix Rhizoma, and Polygoni Multiflori Radix Praeparata contributed to the bulk of the dissolved metabolites of the formula extraction. In addition, seven analytes were simultaneously determined by UHPLC-TQ-MS/MS, which was validated and has managed to determine major components in BYF. The study indicated that the established qualitative and quantitative methods would be potent and dependable analytical tools for characterizing multi-constituent in complex prescriptions decoction and provided a basis for the evaluation of bioactive components in BYF.

Comparative study of single/combination use of Huang-Lian-Jie-Du decoction and berberine on their protection on sepsis induced acute liver injury by NMR metabolic profiling

Sepsis is a serious clinical disease with a high mortality rate all around the world. Liver organ dysfunction is an important sign for the severity and outcome of sepsis in patients. In this study, ¹H NMR-based metabolomics approach and biochemical assays were applied to investigate the metabolic profiling for cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) induced acute liver injury, the therapeutical effect of single/combination use of Huang-Lian-Jie-Du decoction (HLJDD) and berberine, and the interaction of them. Metabolomics analysis revealed significant perturbations in livers of septic rats, which could be ameliorated by HLJDD, berberine and their combination treatment. Berberine could better rectified glycolysis and nucleic acid metabolism in the liver. HLJDD had exceptional better anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antioxidative effects than berberine. The interaction of berberine and HLJDD could further strengthen the anti-inflammation and anti-oxidation, but with poor effect on amino acids metabolism. These findings highlighted the feasibility of the integrated NMR based metabolomics approach to understand the pathogenesis of diseases, the action mechanisms of therapy and the herb-drug interaction.

Compositions, Formation Mechanism, and Neuroprotective Effect of Compound Precipitation from the Traditional Chinese Prescription Huang-Lian-Jie-Du-Tang

Compounds in the form of precipitation (CFP) are universally formed during the decocting of Chinese prescriptions, such as Huang-Lian-Jie-Du-Tang (HLJDT). The formation rate of HLJDT CFP even reached 2.63% ± 0.20%. The identification by liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS(n)) proved that the main chemical substances of HLJDT CFP are baicalin and berberine, which is coincident with the theory that the CFP might derive from interaction between acidic and basic compounds. To investigate the formation mechanism of HLJDT CFP, baicalin and berberine were selected to synthesize a simulated precipitation and then the baicalin-berberine complex was obtained. Results indicated that the melting point of the complex interposed between baicalin and berberine, and the UV absorption, was different from the mother material. In addition, ¹H-NMR integral and high-resolution mass spectroscopy (HR-MS) can validate that the binding ratio was 1:1. Compared with baicalin, the chemical shifts of H and C on glucuronide had undergone significant changes by ¹H-, (13)C-NMR, which proved that electron transfer occurred between the carboxylic proton and the lone pair of electrons on the N atom. Both HLJDT CFP and the baicalin-berberine complex showed protective effects against cobalt chloride-induced neurotoxicity in differentiated PC12 cells. It is a novel idea, studying the material foundation of CFP in Chinese prescriptions.

Screening and identification of multiple components in Tanreqing injection using RP-HPLC combined with DAD and ESI-TOF/MS

A liquid chromatography coupled with diode array detector (DAD) and electrospray ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (ESI-TOF/MS) method was developed for the screening and identification of the multiple components in Tanreqing injection, a well-known Chinese medicine injection in China. By combining the DAD spectrum and the accurate mass measurement of ESI-TOF/MS, twelve components in Tanreqing injection were identified. This study contributes to clarifying the nature of Tanreqing injection, and provides an effective and reliable process for the comprehensive and systematic characterization of complex traditional Chinese medicine preparations.

Protective effects of Huang-Lian-Jie-Du-Tang and its component group on collagen-induced arthritis in rats

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Huang-Lian-Jie-Du-Tang is a famous Traditional Chinese medicine consisting of Rhizoma coptidis (Coptis chinensis Franch, Ranunculaceae), Radix scutellariae (Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi, Labiatae), Cortex phellodendri (Phellodendron amurense Rupr. Rutaceae) and Fructus gardeniae (Gardenia jasminoide Ellis, Rubiaceae) in a weight ratio of 3:2:2:3.This formula was described by Wang Tao (in the Chinese Tang Dynasty) in his treatise "Wai Tai Mi Yao". It has been used to treat inflammation, hypertension, gastrointestinal disorders, and liver and cerebrovascular diseases in the clinical practice of Traditional Chinese medicine, especially in treating inflammation for nearly two thousand years. However, the essential compounds in it have not been identified, and the mechanisms remain to be addressed. To investigate the protective effects of HLJDT and its component group (HLJDT-CG) on collagen-induced arthritis in rats.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

CIA was established in male Wistar rats with subcutaneous injection of type II bovine collagen at the base of the tail of animals. CIA rats were treated daily with oral administration of HLJDT aqueous extracts (270 mg/kg) or HLJDT-CG (40 mg/kg) once per day from day 6 to day 28. Rats in normal and vehicle control groups were given an equal volume of vehicle (0.9% saline) and 0.025 mg/kg Dexamethasone was given to the Standard group at the same time. The protective effect of them were assessed by measuring arthritis index, swelling, the cytokines such as TNF-α, IFN-γ and IL-17 in serum, type II collagen antibodies, splenocyte proliferation and so on.

RESULTS

The results demonstrated that treatment of CIA rat with either HLJDT aqueous extracts or HLJDT-CG not only ameliorated the symptoms of arthritis, prevented joint damage but also reduced the serum levels of TNF-α, IFN-γ and IL-17 in CIA rats. Anti-CII antibodies showed the similar trend except that of IgG1. Furthermore, HLJDT aqueous extracts and HLJDT-CG administration also suppressed CII-induced proliferative response of splenocytes. More importantly, HLJDT-CG exhibited similar pharmacological activities as HLJDT aqueous extracts in all aforementioned experiments.

CONCLUSIONS

HLJDT aqueous extracts and HLJDT-CG could effectively ameliorate CII-induced arthritis and significantly suppress the immune response against CII with similar pharmacological efficacy. These findings suggest that HLJDT has therapeutic potential in RA treatment and HLJDT-CG can represent the effective-composite of HLJDT.

Protective Effects of Huang-Lian-Jie-Du-Tang against Polymicrobial Sepsis Induced by Cecal Ligation and Puncture in Rats

Huang-Lian-Jie-Du-Tang (HLJDT) is a traditional formula that has long been used for treatment of inflammatory diseases in Traditional Chinese Medicine. In this study, we examined its protective effect against sepsis in an experimental septic model induced by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) in rats. The results demonstrated that prophylactic administration of HLJDT protected rats from CLP-induced lethality and ameliorated CLP-induced liver and lung injury. HLJDT treatment suppressed the production of proinflammatory cytokines, including TNF-α, IL-1, IL-6, and IL-17A, indicating HLJDT could limit excessive inflammatory responses in septic condition. In addition, HLJDT facilitated bacterial clearance by increasing phagocytic activities of peritoneal macrophages. Furthermore, HLJDT treatment reversed CLP-induced suppression of IFN-γ expression and blocked CLP-induced increase in IL-4 expression in spleens of rats at 24 h after CLP, indicating that HLJDT could reverse the shift from Th1 to Th2 response and promote Th1/Th2 balance toward Th1 predominance in septic rats. Moreover, HLJDT also inhibited the expression of IL-17A and ROR-γt in spleens of septic rats, indicating HLJDT is able to inhibit Th17 activation in septic condition. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated the protective effects of HLJDT against sepsis and highlighted the potential of HLJDT as a medication for septic patients.

Bioinformatics analysis for the antirheumatic effects of huang-lian-jie-du-tang from a network perspective

Huang-Lian-Jie-Du-Tang (HLJDT) is a classic TCM formula to clear “heat” and “poison” that exhibits antirheumatic activity. Here we investigated the therapeutic mechanisms of HLJDT at protein network level using bioinformatics approach. It was found that HLJDT shares 5 target proteins with 3 types of anti-RA drugs, and several pathways in immune system and bone formation are significantly regulated by HLJDT's components, suggesting the therapeutic effect of HLJDT on RA. By defining an antirheumatic effect score to quantitatively measure the therapeutic effect, we found that the score of each HLJDT's component is very low, while the whole HLJDT achieves a much higher effect score, suggesting a synergistic effect of HLJDT achieved by its multiple components acting on multiple targets. At last, topological analysis on the RA-associated PPI network was conducted to illustrate key roles of HLJDT's target proteins on this network. Integrating our findings with TCM theory suggests that HLJDT targets on hub nodes and main pathway in the Hot ZENG network, and thus it could be applied as adjuvant treatment for Hot-ZENG-related RA. This study may facilitate our understanding of antirheumatic effect of HLJDT and it may suggest new approach for the study of TCM pharmacology.

Metabolomic study of collagen-induced arthritis in rats and the interventional effects of huang-lian-jie-du-tang, a traditional chinese medicine

Huang-Lian-Jie-Du-Tang (HLJDT) is a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) with anti-inflammatory activity. The present study used a metabolomic approach based on LC-Q-TOF-MS to profile rheumatoid-arthritis- (RA-) related metabolic changes and to investigate the interventional mechanisms of HLJDT in collagen-induced arthritis rats. Forty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into five groups: (1) a model group, (2) a normal control group, (3) a dexamethasone group, (4) a HLJDT group, and (5) a group that received 13 components of HLJDT. Plasma samples were collected 8, 15, and 22 days after the rats were injected with bovine type II collagen. By combining variable importance in the projection values with partial least squares discriminant analysis, 18 potential biomarkers were identified in the plasma samples. The biomarkers were primarily involved in glycerophospholipid metabolism, fatty acid metabolism, tryptophan metabolism, linoleic acid metabolism, phenylalanine metabolism, purine metabolism, arachidonic acid metabolism, and bile acid biosynthesis. Using the potential biomarkers as a screening index, the results suggest that HLJDT can potentially reverse the process of RA by partially regulating fatty acid oxidation and arachidonic acid metabolism. This study demonstrates that a metabolomic strategy is useful for identifying potential RA biomarkers and investigating the underlying mechanisms of a TCM in RA treatment.

The different inhibitory effects of Huang-Lian-Jie-Du-Tang on cyclooxygenase 2 and 5-lipoxygenase

BACKGROUND

Huang-Lian-Jie-Du-Tang (HLJDT), a famous traditional Chinese prescription with wide anti-inflammatory applications, is an aqueous extract of four herbal materials: Rhizoma coptidis, Radix scutellariae, Cortex phellodendri, and Fructus gardeniae. Its effects on the cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 and 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX) pathways are thought to be responsible for its anti-inflammatory activity. However, our previous work found that the inhibitory effects of HLJDT act on the 5-LOX pathway but not on the COX pathway. The possibility that HLJDT inhibits COX-2- or 5-LOX-catalyzed eicosanoid generation by downregulating enzyme expression requires further investigation.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To observe the effects of HLJDT and its four major components (baicalin, baicalein, berberine and geniposide) on COX-2- or 5-LOX-catalyzed eicosanoid generation and to distinguish the effects of HLJDT on enzyme activity from those on enzyme expression.

METHODS

The topical anti-inflammatory activities and inhibition of eicosanoid formation of HLJDT and its components were observed in an arachidonic acid (AA)-induced mouse ear edema model. Macrophage-based systems were established to observe the effects of the drugs on enzyme activity and enzyme expression of COX-2 and 5-LOX. Further experiments were carried out to confirm these effects at the mRNA and protein levels.

RESULTS

Topical treatment of HLJDT significantly inhibited AA-induced mouse ear edema and reduced PGE(2) and LTB(4) release in the edematous ears. Baicalein, geniposide, and berberine also ameliorated the symptoms and suppressed eicosanoid generation with varying efficacies. Cell-based assays showed that HLJDT and baicalein inhibited the PGE(2) levels by decreasing COX-2 enzyme expression without affecting COX-2 enzyme activity in RAW 246.7 murine macrophages. The other experiments on rat peritoneal macrophages indicated that HLJDT and baicalein exerted significant inhibition on LTB(4) production by decreasing 5-LOX enzyme activity. The real-time PCR and western blotting data demonstrated that HLJDT and baicalein reduced COX-2 expression at the mRNA and protein levels, whereas no inhibition on 5-LOX expression was observed.

CONCLUSIONS

HLJDT can suppress eicosanoid generation via both the COX and LOX pathways, which definitely contributes to its topical anti-inflammatory activity. We have confirmed that its dual inhibition on the COX and LOX pathways mainly result from the downregulation of COX-2 expression and direct inhibition of 5-LOX activity, respectively. Baicalein worked as a potent active component in most of the tests. These findings about the different inhibitory effects of HLJDT on COX-2 and 5-LOX help to better understand the mechanism of HLJDT and promote safer applications of drug.

The inhibitory activities of the components of Huang-Lian-Jie-Du-Tang (HLJDT) on eicosanoid generation via lipoxygenase pathway

AIM OF THE STUDY

Huang-Lian-Jie-Du-Tang (HLJDT) is a traditional Chinese medicine with anti-inflammatory use. In the present study, the effects of its component herbs and pure components were observed on eicosanoid generation to find out the contributory components and their precise targets on arachidonic acid (AA) cascade.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

By monitoring leukotriene B(4) (LTB(4)), 5-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (5-HETE), and 12-hydroxy-5,8,10-heptadecatrienoic acid (12-HHT), we compared the effects of HLJDT, HLJDT free of one or two component herbs, and water extract of four single component herbs of HLJDT (Rhizoma coptidis, Radix scutellariae, Cortex phellodendri and Fructus gardeniae) on eicosanoid generation in rat elicited peritoneal macrophages. In addition, thirteen pure compounds from HLJDT (baicalin, baicalein, wogonoside, wogonin, berberine, magnoflorine, phellodendrine, coptisine, palmatine, jateorrhizine, crocin, chlorogenic acid, and geniposide) were tested in the macrophages. Furthermore, the efficacies of these thirteen compounds were evaluated on cell-free purified enzymes: leukotriene A(4) hydrolase (LTA(4)H), 5-, 15-lipoxygenase (5-, 15-LO), and cyclo-oxygenase-1/2 (COX-1/2). Moreover, the possible synergetic effect on LO pathway derived LTB(4) generation between the active components was also tested in rat peritoneal macrophages.

RESULTS

Our experiments showed that Rhizoma coptidis and Radix scutellariae were responsible for the suppressive effect of HLJDT on eicosanoid generation. Some of the pure components including baicalein, baicalin, wogonoside, wogonin, coptisine, and magnoflorine inhibited eicosanoid generation in rat macrophages via LO pathway of AA cascade. Further experiments on cell-free purified enzymes confirmed that Radix scutellariae derived baicalein and baicalin showed significant inhibition on 5-LO and 15-LO, while Rhizoma coptidis derived coptisine showed medium inhibition on LTA(4)H. On the other hand, no significant inhibition of thirteen components on COX-1/2 was observed. Moreover, the slight synergetic inhibition on LTB(4) between baicalein and coptisine was proved in the rat peritoneal macrophages.

CONCLUSIONS

Baicalein and coptisine, the active components of HLJDT, for the first time are found to interfere with arachidonic acid cascade via inhibition on different points of LO pathway. This finding makes the mechanism of HLJDT clearer and achieves its safer therapeutic application.

Huang-Lian-Jie-Du-Tang exerts anti-inflammatory effects in rats through inhibition of nitric oxide production and eicosanoid biosynthesis via the lipoxygenase pathway

Objectives

Huang-Lian-Jie-Du-Tang (HLJDT) is a traditional Chinese medicine with a long history of anti-inflammatory use, but its pharmacological effects have not been thoroughly investigated. This study aimed to evaluate the anti-inflammatory activity of HLJDT in vivo and in vitro.

Methods

The carrageenan rat air pouch model was used to investigate the anti-inflammatory action of HLJDT after oral administration. Moreover, we exploited a modified method based on liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) technique to assay the effects of HLJDT on arachidonic acid metabolites.

Key findings

Our data demonstrate that oral administration of HLJDT significantly inhibited the inflammatory responses in carrageenan-injected rat air pouches, and also significantly reduced the production of nitric oxide (NO) and leukotriene B4 (LTB4) in vivo, without any influence on biosynthesis of cyclooxygenase (COX)-derived eicosanoids. Similar behaviour of HLJDT was also observed by using calcium ionophore A23187-stimulated peritoneal macrophages, where HLJDT markedly inhibited eicosanoids derived from different lipoxygenases. The NO production and the mRNA expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and chemotactic factors (CCL3, CCL4, CCL5 and CXCL2) were also inhibited by HLJDT in RAW 264.7 macrophages stimulated by lipopolysaccharide.

Conclusions

Our data revealed, for the first time, that HLJDT could inhibit biosynthesis of eicosanoids derived from different lipoxygenases. Also, HLJDT may exert its anti-inflammatory effects by its suppression on eicosanoid generation, NO production and gene transcription of chemotactic factors, which supports its effectiveness in the treatment of inflammatory diseases.