Comparative analysis and evaluation of wild and cultivated Radix Fici Simplicissimae using an UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap mass spectrometry-based metabolomics approach.

Radix Fici Simplicissimae (RFS) is widely studied, and is in demand for its value in medicines and food products, with increased scientific focus on its cultivation and breeding. We used ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography quadrupole-orbitrap mass spectrometry-based metabolomics to elucidate the similarities and differences in phytochemical compositions of wild Radix Fici Simplicissimae (WRFS) and cultivated Radix Fici Simplicissimae (CRFS). Untargeted metabolomic analysis was performed with multivariate statistical analysis and heat maps to identify the differences. Eighty one compounds were identified from WRFS and CRFS samples. Principal component analysis and orthogonal partial least squares discrimination analysis indicated that mass spectrometry could effectively distinguish WRFS from CRFS. Among these, 17 potential biomarkers with high metabolic contents could distinguish between the two varieties, including seven phenylpropanoids, three flavonoids, one flavonol, one alkaloid, one glycoside, and four organic acids. Notably, psoralen, apigenin, and bergapten, essential metabolites that play a substantial pharmacological role in RFS, are upregulated in WRFS. WRFS and CRFS are rich in phytochemicals and are similar in terms of the compounds they contain. These findings highlight the effects of different growth environments and drug varieties on secondary metabolite compositions and provide support for targeted breeding for improved CRFS varieties.

UPLC-Q-TOF/MS analysis of chemical components of single decoction and combined decoction of Qige decoction reveals the differences between various preparation processes.

The aim of this work was to explore the differences between various pharmaceutical processes in combined solutions of a single decoction (QGHBY) and a combined decoction (QGHJY) of Qi-Ge decoction from the perspective of chemical composition changes, so as to further guide the clinical application of drugs. A combined solution of a single decoction and a combined decoction of Astragali Radix, Puerariae Lobatae Radix and Citri Reticulatae Chachiensis Pericarpium was prepared with the same technological parameters. The chemical components of the two were detected and identified based on UPLC-Q-TOF/MS, and the different components were determined by principal component analysis. Eighty-eight compounds were identified in the pharmaceutical solution of Qi-Ge decoction. Principal component analysis revealed 11 different components of QGHBY and QGHJY with the conditions of Variable Importance in Projection (VIP) ≥ 1, fold change ≥ 2 and p < 0.05, among which hesperidin, hesperitin, isosinensetin, sinensetin and 5-demethylnobiletin were the components of Citri Reticulatae Chachiensis Pericarpium. The levels of these 11 different components in QGHJY were higher than those of QGHBY. The combined decoction is beneficial for the dissolution of flavonoids and other chemical components, and there is a significant difference in the content of chemical components between modern herbal concentrate granules and traditional decoctions.

Nontargeted urine metabolomics analysis of the protective and therapeutic effects of Citri Reticulatae Chachiensis Pericarpium on high-fat feed-induced hyperlipidemia in rats.

In this study, we focused on studying the changes in urine metabolites in hyperlipidemic rats using ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-fight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF/MS) and metabolomics, as well as the effect of Citri Reticulatae Chachiensis Pericarpium (CRCP) on hyperlipidemia. These urine samples were examined by UPLC-Q-TOF/MS to obtain MS data. The MS data were analyzed by principal component analysis and partial least squares-discriminant analysis to identify the differential metabolites. CRCP reduced the body weight and levels of triglycerides, total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and abnormally decreased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol in hyperlipidemic rats, which were significantly raised by a high-fat diet. Twenty-seven potential biomarkers were identified within the complex sample matrix of urine. Fourteen biomarkers increased in the hyperlipidemia rats compared with normal rats. Meanwhile, 13 biomarkers decreased. CRCP reversed abnormal changes in biomarkers, including 5-l-glutamyl-taurine, 5-aminopentanoic acid, cis-4-octenedioic acid and 2-octenedioic acid. These biomarkers show that hyperlipidemia is related to the metabolic pathways of taurine and hypotaurine metabolism, fatty acid biosynthesis, and arginine and proline metabolism. CRCP mainly prevents hyperlipidemia by intervening in these metabolic pathways.

Discrimination of Citrus reticulata Blanco and Citrus reticulata 'Chachi' as well as the Citrus reticulata 'Chachi' within different storage years using ultra high performance liquid chromatography quadrupole/time-of-flight mass spectrometry based metabolomics approach.

Using ultra high performance liquid chromatography quadrupole/time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-QTOFMS) based metabolomics, we focused on developing a method for the comprehensive distinction between Citri Reticulatae Blanco Pericarpium(CRBP) and Citri Reticulatae Chachi Pericarpium (CRCP), as well as the CRCP within different storage years in this study. Through this, we hope to enhance Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium (CRP) Quality Control system. Using UNIFI software and an online database identified chemical components in the 3-30 years CRCP(40 batches) and CRBP (10 batches)samples, and multivariate statistical analysis methods and heat-map were applied to distinguish between CRCP and CRBP and CRCP in different storage years. The results showed that a total of 92 compounds were identified from CRCP and CRBP samples, most of which were flavonoids. Principal component analysis (PCA) and orthogonal partial least squares discrimination analysis (OPLS-DA) indicated that it can effectively distinguish between CRBP and CRCP and various storage years CRCP, and 19 metabolites were identified as potential markers for distinguishing between CRBP and CRCP, and 15 potential markers showed a higher level of CRCP than CRBP. At the same time, 31 metabolites were identified to distinguish CRCP in different storage years, metabolite levels increased in 3-10 years and decreased after 15-30 years. Therefore, this approach can effectively distinguish between CRCP and CRBP and CRCP with different storage years, and may also provide a feasible strategy for the certification of Chinese herbal medicines from different species and storage years.

CCl4-Induced Liver Injury Was Ameliorated by Qi-Ge Decoction through the Antioxidant Pathway.

Qi-Ge decoction (QGD), which is derived from the Huangqi Gegen decoction, contains three traditional Chinese herbs: Astragalus membranaceus (Huangqi), Pueraria lobata (Gegen), and Citri Reticulatae Blanco Pericarpium (Chenpi). Gastric mucosal damage caused by ethanol was prevented and alleviated by QGD. However, the role of QGD in protecting the liver from toxins has not been reported. High-performance liquid chromatography with diode-array detection was used to qualitatively analyze QGD. Positive control (silymarin 100 mg/kg/day), QGD (20, 10, or 5 g/kg/day), and Nrf2 inhibitor brusatol (0.4 mg/kg/2 d) were administered to rats for 7 days, and then, liver injury was induced by injecting 2 mL/kg 25% CCl4. After 24 h, blood and liver were collected for analysis and evaluation. QGD was found to contain 12 main components including calycosin, puerarin, and hesperidin. QGD treatment significantly reduced liver damage and decreased serum alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and lactate dehydrogenase activities. QGD increased superoxide dismutase and catalase activities, and glutathione levels, but decreased malondialdehyde levels in livers from CCl4-treated rats. Compared to rats treated with CCl4 alone, after QGD administration, mRNA and protein levels of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and heme oxygenase-1 were increased, while those of Kelch-like ECH-related protein 1 (Keap1) and cytochrome P450 (CYP)2E1 were decreased. However, these improvements in QGD were reversed by brusatol. In conclusion, QGD can achieve its hepatoprotective effect through an antioxidant mechanism by activating the Nrf2 pathway.

Neuroprotective Effects of ß-Asarone Against 6-Hydroxy Dopamine-Induced Parkinsonism via JNK/Bcl-2/Beclin-1 Pathway.

ß-asarone, a major component of Acorus tatarinowii Schott, has positive effects in neurodegeneration disease, however, its effect on the Parkinson's disease (PD) remains unclear. In this study, the effects of ß-asarone on behavioral tests, neurotransmitters, tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), and α-synuclein (α-syn) were investigated in 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) induced rats. Furthermore, the JNK/Bcl-2/Beclin-1 autophagy pathway was also studied. The results showed that ß-asarone improved the behavioral symptoms of rats in the open field, rotarod test, initiation time, and stepping time. And it increased the HVA, Dopacl, and 5-HIAA levels in striatum but not the DA and 5-HT levels. After administration of ß-asarone, the TH level was elevated but the α-syn was declined in rats. It inhibited the expressions of LC3-II, but increased the p62 expression in SN4741 cells. Moreover, it affected the expressions of Beclin-1, Bcl-2, JNK, and p-JNK in vivo. We deduced that ß-asarone may firstly downregulate expressions of JNK and p-JNK, and then indirectly increase the expression of Bcl-2. And the function of Beclin-1 could be inhibited, which could inhibit autophagy activation. Collectively, all data indicated that ß-asarone may be explored as a potential therapeutic agent in PD therapy.

Dynamic of neurochemical alterations in striatum, hippocampus and cortex after the 6-OHDA mesostriatal lesion.

Immediate neurochemical alterations produced by 6-OHDA could explain the general toxic pattern in the central nervous system. However, no evidences describe the effects of 6-OHDA on early changes of neurotransmitters in rats' striatum, cortex and hippocampus. In our study, unilateral 6-OHDA injection into medial forebrain bundle (MFB) was used in rats, then five neurotransmitters were analyzed at 3, 6, 12, 24, 48 and 72 h, respectively. Results showed that 6-OHDA injection caused a sharp decline of striatal dopamine (DA) levels in the first 12h followed by a further reduction between 12 and 48 h. However, striatal levels of homovanillic acid (HVA) were stable in the first 12h and showed a marked reduction between 12 and 24h. Striatal levels of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) decreased linearly for 72 h, whereas levels of norepinephrine (NE) showed a slight reduction in the first 48 h, and returned back to normal afterwards. Striatal HVA/DA ratio increased significantly in the first 12h, but 5-HIAA/5-HT ratio showed a sharp increase between 12 and 72 h. Besides, neurochemical alterations were also found in hippocampus and cortex, and the correlations of neurotransmitters were analyzed. Our study indicated that NE system had little influence in the early phase of 6-OHDA injection, moreover, early neurochemical alterations were involved with striatum, hippocampus and cortex.

[Study on HPLC fingerprint of Prunella vulgaris].

OBJECTIVE: To establish HPLC fingerprint of Prunella vulgarise for quality control of the herbal medicine. METHOD: A sunfire C18 analytical column was used. The mobile phase A was 1% acetic acid, and mobile phase B was methanol. The elution was in gradient mode and detection wavelength was set at 290 nm. The flow rate was 1.0 mL x min(-1) and the column temperature at 30 degrees C. The analysis time was 60 min. RESULT: The similarity of 10 batches of P. vulgaris was not lower than 0.810. The fingerprints of the herbal medicine were classified P. vulgaris on the results of cluster analysis. CONCLUSION: This method is available for quality evaluation and control the quality of P. vulgaris.

[Investigate into of effective constituent transference of herba Ephedrae and cortex Magnoliae officinalis in preparation course of Shujin Kechuan capsule].

OBJECTIVE: Investigate into transport rate and retention rate transference of principal effective constituent in Shujin Kechuang capsule, a new development Chinese patent medicine for theraphy asthma. METHOD: HPLC was applied to analyze the content of ephedrine hydrochloride and honokiol and magnolol in crude drugs and 60% ethanol extracting solution and 25% concentrated solution,50% concentrated solution, 100% concentrated solution and finished product ( Shujin Kechuang capsule). RESULT: The transport rate of ephedrine hydrochloride and honokiol and magnolol is 56. 32%, 14. 43%, 14. 56% in the finished product respectively. CONCLUSION: should be concentrate and desiccation in the condition that decompress and low temperature.