Chemical composition and sensory profiling of coffees treated with asparaginase to decrease acrylamide formation during roasting.

Acrylamide is an amide formed in the Maillard reaction, with asparagine as the primary amino acid precursor. The intake of large amounts of acrylamide has induced genotoxic and carcinogenic effects in hormone-sensitive tissues of animals. The enzime asparaginase is one of the most effective methods for lowering the formation of acrylamide in foods such as potatoes. However, the reported sensory outcomes for coffee have been unsatisfactory so far. This study aimed to produce coffees with reduced levels of acrylamide by treating them with asparaginase while retaining their original sensory and bioactive profiles. Three raw samples of Coffea arabica, including two specialty coffees, and one of Coffea canephora were treated with 1000, 2000, and 3000 ASNU of the enzyme. Asparagine and bioactive compounds (chlorogenic acids-CGA, caffeine, and trigonelline) were quantified in raw and roasted beans by HPLC and LC-MS, while the determination of acrylamide and volatile organic compounds was performed in roasted beans by CG-MS. Soluble solids, titratable acidity, and pH were also determined. Professional cupping by Q-graders and consumer sensory tests were also conducted. Results were analyzed by ANOVA-Fisher, MFA, PCA and Cluster analyses, with significance levels set at p ≤ 0.05. Steam treatment alone decreased acrylamide content by 18.4%, on average, and 6.1% in medium roasted arabica and canefora coffees. Average reductions of 32.5-56.0% in acrylamide formation were observed in medium roasted arabica beans when 1000-3000 ASNU were applied. In the canefora sample, 59.4-60.7% reductions were observed. However, steam treatment primarily caused 17.1-26.7% reduction of total CGA and lactones in medium roasted arabica samples and 13.9-22.0% in canefora sample, while changes in trigonelline, caffeine, and other evaluated chemical parameters, including the volatile profiles were minimal. Increasing enzyme loads slightly elevated acidity. The only sensory changes observed by Q-graders and or consumers in treated samples were a modest increase in acidity when 3000 ASNU was used in the sample with lower acidity, loss of mild off-notes in control samples, and increased perception of sensory descriptors. The former was selected given the similarity in chemical outcomes among beans treated with 2000 and 3000 ASNU loads.

Effects of Drying Methods on the Antioxidant Properties of Piper betle Leaves.

Piper betle leaf powder is increasingly utilised as a health supplement. In this study, P. betle leaves were subjected to four different drying methods: convective air-drying, oven-drying, sun-drying, and no drying, with fresh leaves as control. Their antioxidant properties were then evaluated using colourimetric assays and GC-MS. Results showed that the sun-dried leaves had the highest (p < 0.05) total antioxidant capacity (66.23 ± 0.10 mg AAE/g), total polyphenol content (133.93 ± 3.76 mg GAE/g), total flavonoid content (81.25 ± 3.26 mg CE/g) and DPPH radical scavenging activity (56.48 ± 0.11%), and the lowest alkaloid content (45.684 ± 0.265 mg/gm). GC-MS analysis revealed that major constituents of aqueous extracts of fresh and sun-dried P. betle leaves were hydrazine 1,2-dimethyl-; ethyl aminomethylformimidate; glycerin; propanoic acid, 2-hydroxy-, methyl ester, (+/-)-; and 1,2-Cyclopentanedione. In conclusion, sun-dried leaves exhibited overall better antioxidant properties, and their aqueous extracts contained biologically active phytoconstituents that have uses in various fields.

Current perspectives on fenugreek bioactive compounds and their potential impact on human health: A review of recent insights into functional foods and other high value applications.

Despite long-standing uses in several food and medicine traditions, the full potential of the leguminous crop fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) remains to be realized in the modern diet. Not only its seeds, which are highly prized for their culinary and medicinal properties, but also its leaves and stems abound in phytochemicals with high nutritional and health promoting attributes. Fenugreek dual food-medicine applications and reported metabolic activities include hypoglycemic, antihyperlipidemic, antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, antiatherogenic, antihypertensive, anticarcinogenic, immunomodulatory, and antinociceptive effects, with potential organ-protective effects at the cardiovascular, digestive, hepatic, endocrine, and central nervous system levels. Effectiveness in alleviating certain inflammatory skin conditions and dysfunctions of the reproductive system was also suggested. As a food ingredient, fenugreek can enhance the sensory, nutritional, and nutraceutical qualities of a wide variety of foods. Its high nutritive density can assist with the design of dietary items that meet the demand for novelty, variety, and healthier foods. Its seeds provide essential protective nutrients and other bioactive compounds, notably galactomannans, flavonoids, coumarins, saponins, alkaloids, and essential oils, whose health benefits, alone or in conjunction with other bioactives, are only beginning to be tapped into in the food industries. This review summarizes the current state of evidence on fenugreek potential for functional food development, focusing on the nutrients and non-nutrient bioactive components of interest from a dietary perspective, and their applications for enhancing the functional and nutraceutical value of foods and beverages. New developments, safety, clinical evidence, presumed mechanisms of action, and future perspectives are discussed. HIGHLIGHTS: Fenugreek seeds and leaves have long-standing uses in the food-medicine continuum. Fenugreek phytochemicals exert broad-spectrum biological and pharmacological activities. They show high preventive and nutraceutical potential against common chronic diseases. Current evidence supports multiple mechanisms of action mediated by distinct bioactives. Opportunities for fenugreek-based functional foods and nutraceuticals are expanding.

Evaluation of an Oral Fluid Collection Device and a Solid-Phase Extraction Method for the Determination of Coca Leaf Alkaloids by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry.

Some South American countries have ancient traditions that may pose legal problems, such as the consumption of coca leaves, as this can provide positive results for cocaine use after the analysis of biological samples. For this reason, it is necessary to find specific markers that help differentiate legal from illegal consumption, such as tropacocaine, cinnamoylcocaine, and especially hygrine and cuscohygrine. In this work, two techniques for collecting biological samples are compared: the Quantisal® Oral Fluid collection device and passive drooling. Once the samples were collected, they were subjected to solid-phase extraction for subsequent injection into GC-MS. Different validation parameters included in international guides have been studied to evaluate whether the proposed method is valid for the defined purpose, placing special emphasis on the study of the matrix effect and little value on GC-MS analyses. With respect to this parameter, an increase in the signal was found for CUS and t-CIN, but it was not significant for the rest of the substances studied. The recoveries have varied significantly depending on the way of working, being higher when working with standardized areas. After carrying out work with the oral fluid samples collected from laboratory volunteers, the method was applied to two real samples. The results obtained support the need for further research to overcome certain limitations presented by the device.

New cassane-type alkaloids and diterpenoids from the pericarps of Caesalpinia bonduc.

The phytochemical investigation of the pericarps of Caesalpinia bonduc led to the isolation and identification of five new cassane-type alkaloids: caesalminines C - G (1-5) and six new diterpenoids: caesalbonducin K - P (6-11), along with seven known compounds (12-18). Compounds 1-5 were identified as a group of rare alkaloids possessing a tetracyclic cassane-type diterpenoid skeleton with a lactam D-ring instead of a typical furan or lactone moiety. The structures of 1-11 were elucidated on the basis of 1D and 2D NMR including HSQC, HMBC, COSY and NOESY, and other spectroscopic analyses. The cytotoxic activities of the isolated compounds were evaluated in the A431, A549 and U87MG cancer cell lines.

Transcriptome analysis reveals cadmium exposure enhanced the isoquinoline alkaloid biosynthesis and disease resistance in Coptis chinensis.

Coptis chinensis Franch is a perennial herb from the Ranunculaceae family with a long history of medicinal use. As the medicinal part, the rhizome of coptis often accumulates excessive cadmium (Cd) even at low concentrations in the soil, which not only compromises its medicinal safety but also raises concerns about adverse effects on human health. Therefore, effective strategies are needed to mitigate this accumulation and ensure its safe use in traditional medicine. This study utilized transcriptome profiling and physiological analysis to explore molecular mechanisms associated with ecological significance and the active accumulation of Cd in C. chinensis. The response to Cd in C. chinensis was assessed through RNA sequencing, Cd determination and isoquinoline alkaloid measurement using its roots, stems, and leaves. The transcriptome revealed, a total of 2667, 2998, or 2815 up-regulated deferentially expressed genes in roots, stems or leaves in response to Cd exposure. Furthermore, we identified phenylpropanoid and isoquinoline alkaloid biosynthesis as the key pathways response to Cd exposure, which suggests that C. chinensis may improve its tolerance to Cd through regulating the phenylpropanoid biosynthesis pathway. Under Cd exposure, plant-pathogen interaction in leaves was identified as the key pathway, which indicates that upregulation of genes involved in plant-pathogen interaction could enhance disease resistance in C. chinensis. WGCNA analysis identified WRKY8 (Cluster-55763.31419) and WRKY47 (Cluster-55763.221590) as potential regulators of secondary metabolic synthesis and plant-pathogen interaction pathway in C. chinensis triggered by Cd. The measurement of berberine, coptisine, palmatine, and epiberberine also demonstrated that Cd simulated the four isoquinoline alkaloids in roots. Therefore, our study not only presented a transcriptome expression profiles that revealed significant upregulation of genes involved in metal transport and detoxification pathways but also suggested a possible mechanism to cope with Cd accumulation. This knowledge provides a new insight into gene manipulation for controlling Cd accumulation, enhancing resistance and promoting synthesis of secondary metabolites with potential medicinal properties in other medicinal plant species.

Nicotiana alkaloids-intervened phospholipid ozonolysis at the air-water interface.

Cigarette nicotiana alkaloids associated with lung and cardiovascular diseases attack enormous attention. However, the mechanism at the molecular level between nicotiana alkaloids and phospholipid ozonolysis remains elusive. Herein, we investigated the interfacial ozonolysis of a hung droplet containing 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-phosphatidylglycerol (POPG) intervened by nicotiana alkaloids (4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone, NNK; rac-N'-nitrosonornicotine, NNN; nicotine; and (R,S)-N-nitrosoanasabine, NAT) and followed by on-line mass spectrometry analysis. NNK and NNN showed an acceleration on the interfacial ozonolysis, while nicotine and NAT inhibited this chemistry. Such acceleration/inhibition on POPG ozonolysis was positively correlated with nicotiana alkaloid concentrations. The reaction rate constants suggested that the ozonolysis of lung phospholipids exposed to cigarette smoke at the air-water interface occurred rapidly. A possible mechanism of the hydrophilic/oleophilic nature of nicotiana alkaloids mediating the packing density of POPG was proposed. NNK and NNN with a hydrophilic nature inserted into the POPG monolayer loosed the packing, but nicotine and NAT with an oleophilic nature let the POPG closely pack and shield the CC double bonds exposed to ozone (O3). These results gain the knowledge of nicotiana alkaloids mediated phospholipid ozonolysis at the molecule level and provide a method for online interfacial reaction studies associated with elevated indoor pollutants on public health.

Sensitive quantitation of ultra-trace toxic aconitines in complex matrices by perfusion nano-electrospray ionization mass spectrometry combined with gas-liquid microextraction.

The accurate analysis of ultra-trace (e.g. <10-4 ng/mL) substances in complex matrices is a burdensome but vital problem in pharmaceutical analysis, with important implications for precise quality control of drugs, discovery of innovative medicines and elucidation of pharmacological mechanisms. Herein, an innovative constant-flow perfusion nano-electrospray ionization (PnESI) technique was developed firstly features significant quantitative advantages in high-sensitivity ambient MS analysis of complex matrix sample. More importantly, double-labeled addition enrichment quantitation strategies of gas-liquid microextraction (GLME) were proposed for the first time, allowing highly selective extraction and enrichment of specific target analytes in a green and ultra-efficient (>1000-fold) manner. Using complex processed Aconitum herbs as example, PnESI-MS directly enabled the qualitative and absolute quantitative analysis of the processed Aconitum extracts and characterized the target toxic diester alkaloids with high sensitivity, high stability, wide linearity range, and strong resistance to matrix interference. Further, GLME device was applied to obtain the highly specific enrichment of the target diester alkaloids more than 1000-fold, and accurate absolute quantitation of trace aconitine, mesaconitine, and hypaconitine in the extracts of Heishunpian, Zhichuanwu and Zhicaowu was accomplished (e.g., 0.098 pg/mL and 0.143 pg/mL), with the quantitation results well below the LODs of aconitines from any analytical instruments available. This study built a systematic strategy for accurate quantitation of ultra-trace substances in complex matrix sample and expected to provide a technological revolution in many fields of pharmaceutical research.

Using underutilized residues of coffee to obtain valuable dietary and antioxidant bioactive compounds.

BACKGROUND: Coffee cultivation and agroindustry generate residues that are rich in several metabolites. These compounds, such as phenolic compounds and alkaloids, are known for their antioxidant activity and are usually consumed as nutraceuticals. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the occurrence of chemical and antioxidant components of low-pruned coffee stems under different fertilizer regimes. Extractives and lignin composition, histochemical, chromatographic, and antioxidant analyses were performed. RESULTS: Multiple compounds were found to accumulate in the stems of coffee trees. Furthermore, the presence of phenolic compounds such as chlorogenic acid, vanillin, resveratrol, and the alkaloids caffeine and trigonelline varied depending on the type of fertilization. In all samples examined, optimal performance was observed at the highest tested concentration (500 µg mL-1 ). All samples analyzed presented a great performance at the highest concentration tested (500 µg mL-1 ), with the dose 70% and the dose 100%, which is the recommended for the culture, showing the highest values for most of the concentrations and the best half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50 ) when compared with the other samples tested. CONCLUSION: As shown in the results, the reuse of stem residues as antioxidant material, with the potential to be profitable, and has the added benefit of providing a sustainable destination for material that until now has been underutilized. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Simultaneous estimation of total phenolic and alkaloid contents in the tea samples by utilizing the catechin and caffeine oxidation signals through the square-wave voltammetry technique.

This work outlines the simultaneous estimation of the total phenolic and alkaloid contents in the tea samples by using catechin (C) and caffeine (CAF) oxidation signals at a non-modified boron-doped diamond (BDD) electrode. Two irreversible oxidation peaks, about + 1.03 (for C) and + 1.45 V (for CAF) vs Ag/AgCl in acetate buffer solution at pH 4.7, were seen in the cyclic voltammetric profile of the binary mixtures of C and CAF. In optimal conditions and utilizing the square-wave mode, the BDD electrode allows for simultaneous quantification of C and CAF within the concentration ranges of 5.0-100.0 µg mL-1 (1.72 × 10-5 - 3.45 × 10-3 mol/L) and 1.0-50.0 µg mL-1 (5.15 × 10-6 - 2.57 × 10-4 mol/L) respectively. The corresponding detection limits are 1.22 µg mL-1 (4.21 × 10-6 mol/L) for C and 0.11 µg mL-1 (5.66 × 10-7 mol/L) for CAF. Other phenolic compounds (like tannic acid, gallic acid, epicatechin, and epigallocatechin gallate) and other alkaloids (theophylline and theobromine) present in tea samples were examined for selectivity assessment. Ultimately, the applicability of the proposed approach was demonstrated by estimating the total phenolic and alkaloid contents in the black and green tea samples, expressed as C and CAF equivalents. The results obtained were contrasted against those acquired using UV-Vis spectrometry.

Insight on Vernonia Plant for its Pharmacological Properties: A Review.

Vernonia is a woody shrub of the family Asteraceae. Over 1500 species are distributed in tropical and subtropical regions of Africa and Asia. There are more than 54 species known to possess similar morphological features with the characteristic bitter taste. The pharmacological properties of different parts like seeds, leaves, and roots are well documented in folk medicine. They are rich in biologically active constituents such as alkaloids, phenolics, flavonoids, terpenoids, steroid tannins, and carotenoids having broad therapeutic activities like antiinflammatory, hypoglycemic, hyperlipidemia, antimicrobial, antitumor, antioxidative, antiproliferative, antihypertensive, hepatoprotective, etc. The present study summarizes and discusses the phytochemical profile, pharmacological properties, and toxicological effects of the Vernonia plant.

[Discovery, isolation and structural identification of alkaloid glycosides in six traditional Chinese medicine such as Coptis chinensis].

Alkaloids are important active ingredients occurring in many traditional Chinese medicines, and alkaloid glycosides are one of their existence forms. The introduction of saccharide units improves the water solubility of alkaloid glycosides thus presenting better biological activity.Because of the low content in plants, alkaloid glycosides have been not comprehensively studied. In this study, ultrahigh performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time of flight-tandem mass spectrometry(UPLC-QTOF-MS/MS) was employed to identify and analyze the alkaloid glycosides in Coptis chinensis, Phellodendron chinense, Menispermum dauricum, Sinomenium acutum, Tinospora sagittata and Stephania tetrandra. The results showed that except Tinospora sagittata, the other five herbal medicines contained alkaloid glycosides. Furthermore, the alkaloid glycosides in each herbal medicine were identified based on UV absorption spectra, quasimolecular ion peaks in MS, fragment ions information in the MS/MS, and previous literature reports. A total of 42 alkaloid glycosides were identified. More alkaloid glycosides were identified in C. chinensis and Menispermum dauricum, and eleven in C. chinensis were potential new compounds. Furthermore, the alkaloid glycosides in the water extract of C. chinensis were coarsely se-parated by macroporous adsorption resin, purified by column chromatography with D151 cation exchange resin, ODS and MCI, combined with semi-preparative high performance liquid chromatography. Two new alkaloid glycosides were obtained, and their structures were identified by mass spectrometry and NMR data as(S)-7-hydroxy-1-(p-hydroxybenzyl)-2,2-N,N-dimethyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline-6-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside and(S)-N-methyltetrahydropalmatubine-9-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside, respectively. This study is of great significance for enriching the information about the chemical composition and the in-depth development of C. chinensis. Meanwhile, it can provide a reference for rapid identification and isolation of alkaloid glycosides from other Chinese herbal medicines.

Development and Validation of LC-MS/MS Method for Determination of Cytisine in Human Serum and Saliva.

Cytisine (CYT) is a quinolizidine alkaloid used for nicotine addiction treatment. Recent clinical trial data regarding cytisine confirm its high effectiveness and safety as a smoking cessation treatment. CYT's popularity is growing due to its increased availability and licensing in more countries worldwide. This increased use by smokers has also resulted in an urgent need for continued drug research, including developing appropriate analytical methods for analyzing the drug in biological samples. In this study, a simple, fast, and reliable method combining hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography and electrospray ionization quadrupole time of flight mass spectrometry (HILIC/ESI-QTOF-MS) for the determination of CYT in human serum and saliva was developed and validated. This was undertaken after the previous pre-treatment of the sample using solid-phase extraction (SPE). A hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography (HILIC) column with a silica stationary phase was used for chromatographic analysis. In a linear gradient, the mobile phase consisted of acetonitrile (ACN) and formate buffer at pH 4.0. The proposed method was fully validated and demonstrated its sensitivity, selectivity, precision, and accuracy. The method was successfully applied to determine CYT in serum and, for the first time, in saliva. The findings indicate that saliva could be a promising non-invasive alternative to measure the free concentration of CYT.

[Progress in antitumor activity of diterpenoid alkaloids in plants of Aconitum].

Small-molecule compounds with rich sources have diverse structures and activities. The active ingredients in traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) provide new sources for the discovery of new antitumor drugs. Aconitum plants as Chinese medicinal plants have the effects of dispelling wind, removing dampness, warming meridian, and relieving pain. They are mainly used to treat inflammation, pain, rheumatism, and tumors, improve heart function, and dilate blood vessels in clinical practice. Diterpenoid alkaloids are the main active components of Aconitum plants, including C20-, C19-, C18-diterpenoid alkaloids and bis-diterpenoid alkaloids. Stu-dies have demonstrated that diterpenoid alkaloids can effectively treat lung cancer, liver cancer, breast cancer, colon cancer and other cancers. Diterpenoid alkaloids are considered as the most promising natural compounds against cancers. In this review, we summarized the chemical structures and antitumor activities of C20-, C19-, C18-diterpenoid alkaloids and bis-diterpenoid alkaloids extracted from plants of Aconitum, aiming to provide reference for further development of diterpenoid alkaloids from Aconitum as antitumor drugs.

Effects of Rhazya Stricta plant organic extracts on human induced pluripotent stem cells derived neural stem cells.

Rhazya Stricta (R. stricta) has been employed as a natural remedy for several diseases for centuries. Numerous studies revealed that R. stricta extracts contain alkaloids, tannins, and flavonoids that possess antimicrobial, anticancer, antihypertensive, and antioxidant activities. In this study, we examined the effects of organic extracts from different parts of R. stricta plant on human pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs)-derived neural stem cells (NSCs) for medical purposes. NSCs were incubated with different concentrations of organic extracts from the leaves, stem, and fruits, and we assessed the growth and viability of the cells by using MTS assay and the chemical composition of the potential plant extract by using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Our results revealed that the methanolic extract from the stem increased NSCs growth significantly, particularly at a concentration of 25 µg/ml. GC/MS analysis was utilized to identify the potential compounds of the methanolic extract. In conclusion, our results demonstrated for the first time that methanolic stem extract of R. stricta contains compounds that can positively impact NSCs growth. These compounds can be further investigated to determine the potential bioactive compounds that can be used for research and medical purposes.

Phytotoxicity assessment of dandelion exposed to microplastics using membership function value and integrated biological response index.

Microplastic (MP) pollution is a critical environmental issue. Dandelions could be used as a biomonitor of environmental pollution. However, the ecotoxicology of MPs in dandelions remains unclear. Therefore, the toxic effects of polyethylene (PE), polystyrene (PS), and polypropylene (PP) at concentrations of 0, 10, 100, and 1000 mg L-1 on the germination and early seedling growth of dandelion were investigated. PS and PP inhibited seed germination and decreased root length and biomass while promoting membrane lipid peroxidation, increasing O2•-, H2O2, SP, and proline contents, and enhancing the activities of SOD, POD, and CAT. Principal component analysis (PCA) and membership function value (MFV) analysis indicated that PS and PP could be more harmful than PE in dandelion, especially at 1000 mg L-1. In addition, according to the integrated biological response (IBRv2) index analysis, O2•-, CAT, and proline were sensitive biomarkers of dandelion contamination by MPs. Here we provide evidence that dandelion has the potential to be a biomonitor to assess the phytotoxicity of MPs pollution, especially PS with high toxicity. Meanwhile, we believe that if dandelion is to be used as a biomonitor for MPs, attention should also be paid to the practical safety of dandelion.

Phytochemical screening and allelopathic potential of phytoextracts of three invasive grass species.

Undoubtedly, it is important to remain vigilant and manage invasive grasses to prevent their spread and mitigate their negative impact on the environment. However, these aggressive plants can also play a beneficial role in certain contexts. For example, several invasive grasses provide valuable forage for livestock and have disease control potential. Therefore, a research experiment was conducted to explore the pros and cons of this approach, not only for surrounding vegetation but also for human and animal disease control. The study is primarily focused on developing livestock feed, plant-derived herbicides, and an understanding of the phytotoxic effects of invasive species. All plant parts of Cenchrus ciliaris L., Polypogon monspeliansis L., and Dicanthium annulatum (Forssk.) Stapf, were tested for their phyto-chemical screening, proximate, and toxicity analysis which was caused by the methanolic extract of these grass species. Qualitative phytochemical screening tests were performed for proximate composition analysis and toxicity assessment essays. The phytochemical analysis revealed the positive results for alkaloids, flavonoids, coumarins, phenols, saponins, and glycosides, while negative for tannins. Comparison of proximate analysis intimated maximum moisture (10.8%) and crude fat (4.1%) in P. monspeliensis, whereas maximum dry matter (84.1%), crude protein (13.95%), crude fiber (11%), and ash (7.2%) in D. annulatum. Five (10, 100, 500, 100, 10,000 ppm) and three (10, 1000, 10,000 ppm) different concentrations of methanolic extract prepared from C. ciliaris, P. monspeliansis, and D. annulatum were used respectively for root inhibition and seed germination essay. Furthermore, three different concentrations (10, 30, 50 mg) of plant fine powder were used for sandwich method test. There was a significant decline in the growth rate of experimental model radish seeds (P > 0.005), and results from sandwich method tests showed suppressed growth of root hairs, inhibiting the anchoring of the radish seed. In comparison, results manifest that; P. monspeliansis indicated an upsurge of inhibition (66.58% at 10,000 ppm), D. annulatum revealed soar germination (75.86% in controlled conditions), and C. ciliaris exhibited dramatic shoot up of inhibition because of sandwich method test (14.02% at 50 mg). In conclusion, although grasses are toxic, it is important to consider the beneficiary account.

Dispersive solid-phase extraction of alkaloids and polyphenols using borate hypercrosslinked polymers.

In this study, a borate hyper-crosslinked polymer was synthesized by crosslinking 1-naphthalene boric acid and dimethoxymethane via the Friedel-Crafts reaction. The prepared polymer exhibits excellent adsorption performance toward alkaloids and polyphenols with maximum adsorption capacities ranging from 25.07 to 39.60 mg/g. Adsorption kinetics and isotherms model results indicated the adsorption was a monolayer and chemical process. Under the optimal extraction conditions, a sensitive method was established for the simultaneous quantification of alkaloids and polyphenols in green tea and Coptis chinensis by coupling with the proposed sorbent and ultra-high performance liquid chromatography detection. The proposed method exhibited a wide linear range of 5.0-5000.0 ng/ml with R2 ≥ 0.99, a low limit of detection (0.66-11.25 ng/ml), and satisfactory recoveries (81.2%-117.4%). This work provides a simple and convenient candidate for the sensitive determination of alkaloids and polyphenols in green tea and complex herbal products.

Analysis of steroidal glycoalkaloids and their metabolites in Solanum nigrum fruits based on liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry and molecular networking.

Solanum nigrum fruit is like a treasure house for anticancer drugs because of its steroidal alkaloids. However, the clinical treatment of cancer mainly uses immature fruits, which can cause a toxic reaction if eaten directly, while mature fruits are eaten as fruit. In order to clarify the reasons for the differences in pharmacodynamics and toxicity between them, we studied the composition and metabolism of steroidal alkaloids in fruits of different maturities based on liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry and molecular networking. As a result, 114 steroidal glycoalkaloids were identified. During fruit ripening, the aglycones of steroidal alkaloids mainly undergo hydroxylation and carboxylation, and the sugar side chains mainly undergo acylation and glycosylation reactions. Furthermore, 219 steroidal alkaloids were identified in a metabolism experiment in rats. Metabolic processes include deglycosylation, redox, sulfuric acid binding, acetyl binding, and glucuronic acid-binding. Steroidal alkaloids in mature fruits have high molecular weight and polarity, which are difficult to absorb, and most of them are excreted through feces and urine, which may be the reason for their poor efficacy. This study lays a foundation for research on the biosynthesis of steroidal alkaloids and provides potential candidates for the discovery of new steroidal alkaloid anticancer drugs.

Research Progress on Chemical Constituents and Pharmacological Activities of Menispermi Rhizoma.

Menispermi Rhizoma, the rhizome of Menispermum dauricum DC., is a traditional Chinese medicine, which has the effect of clearing away heat and detoxification, dispelling wind, and relieving pain. It is often used in the treatment of sore throat, enteritis, dysentery, and rheumatism. The chemical constituents of M. Rhizoma mainly include alkaloids, phenolic acids, quinones, cardiotonic glycosides, and so on. Modern pharmacological studies have proved that M. Rhizoma has the effects of anti-tumour, anti-inflammation, anti-oxidation, bacteriostasis, cardio-cerebrovascular protection, anti-depression and anti-Alzheimer's disease. In recent years, the chemical constituents of M. Rhizoma have been found continuously, and the pharmacological studies have deepened gradually. This paper reviews the research progress on the chemical composition and pharmacological effects of M. Rhizoma, to provide a basis for further research and development of its medicinal value.