Chemical profiling and quantitative analysis on the aqueous extract of Pimpinella anisum fruit by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.

Anise fruit (Aniseed) has been used for many years as a traditional medicine in various countries throughout the world; however, the chemical material basis of Aniseed water extract (AWE) has not been examined in detail, limiting our understanding of its pharmacological mechanism and methods for practical quality control. A high-efficiency and high-sensitivity LC-triple time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) analysis method using data processing method combined with product ion and neutral loss filtering for systematic screening and identification of the constituents of AWE was established. A quantitative method was established by using LC-MS/MS with multiple reaction monitoring for 10 min to determine the concentration of 17 representative constituents. A total of 89 compounds were discovered in AWE, of which 31 were confirmed by the reference standards, while 24 were found in Aniseed for the first time. The qualification analysis results showed that chlorogenic acids and luteolin derivatives were the major compounds. The linearity, sensitivity, precision, stability, repeatability, and accuracy of the method were verified, which demonstrated that the method could meet the requirements for quantification. This work contributes to a better understanding of the chemical material basis of Aniseed and assists in the development of effective analytical methods for natural medicines.

Exploring the effect of the Uyghur medicine Munziq Balgam on a collagen-induced arthritis rat model by UPLC-MS/MS-based metabolomics approach.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Munziq Balgam (MBm) is a classic preparation of a traditional Uyghur medicine used for many years to treat abnormal body fluid diseases. The formula, as an in-hospital preparation, has already been used in the Hospital of Xinjiang Traditional Uyghur Medicine to treat rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with significant clinical effects. AIM OF THE STUDY: This study intends to reveal the intervention effect of MBm on collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) rats, discover the potential biomarkers with efficacy, and explore the mechanisms of metabolic regulation by using metabolomics method. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into five groups: blank group, CIA model group, Munziq Balgam nomal-dosage, Munziq Balgam high-dosage group and control group. Body weight, paw swelling, arthritis index, immune indices and histopathological experiments were carried out. Plasma from rats were detected by UPLC-MS/MS. Metabolomics of plasma was performed to analyze metabolic profiles, potential biomarkers, and metabolic pathways of MBm for CIA rats. The main metabolic result of Uyghur medicine MBm was compared with that of Zhuang medicine Longzuantongbi granules (LZTBG) to explore the characteristics of two ethnic medicines from different regions for RA. RESULTS: MBm could significantly alleviate symptoms of CIA rats by relieving arthritis symptoms on paw redness and swelling, inflammatory cell infiltration, synovial hyperplasia, pannus, cartilage and bone tissue destruction, as well as inhibiting the expression of IL-1ß, IL-6, TNF-α, UA and ALP. Linoleic acid, alpha-linolenic acid, pantothenate and CoA biosynthesis, achidonic acid, gycerophospholipid, sphingolipid metabolism, primary bile acid biosynthesis, porphyrin and chlorophyll metabolism and fatty acid degradation served as the main nine pathways of the interventional effect of MBm on CIA rats. Twenty-three different metabolites were screened out and strongly associated with the indicator makes of RA. Eight potential efficacy-related biomarkers were finally discovered in metabolic pathway network (phosphatidylcholine, bilirubin, sphinganine 1-phosphate, phytosphingosine, SM (d18:1/16:0), pantothenic acid, l-palmitoylcarnitine, chenodeoxycholate). Three metabolites (chenodeoxycholate, hyodeoxycholic acid and O-palmitoleoylcarnitine) were changed in both the metabolic study of MBm and LZTBG intervention effects on CIA rats. Additionally, MBm and LZTBG shared the same 6 metabolic pathways including linoleic acid, alpha-linolenic acid, pantothenate and CoA biosynthesis, achidonic acid, gycerophospholipid, and primary bile acid biosynthesis. CONCLUSION: The study suggested that MBm may effectively alleviate RA by regulating inflammation, immunity-related pathways and multiple targets. Metabolomics analysis showed that MBm (Xinjiang, the north of China) and LZTBG (Guangxi, the south of China), two ethnic medicines from different regions in China, share common metabolites and pathways but also have distinct differences in their interventions for RA.

Multiomics analysis profile acute liver injury module clusters to compare the therapeutic efficacy of bifendate and muaddil sapra.

The pathogenesis of acute liver injury has been plagued by biologists and physicians. We know little about its therapeutic mechanism. Therefore, this study explored the mechanism of bifendate and muaddil sapra in the treatment of acute liver injury. Firstly, co-expression and cluster analysis of disease-related genes were carried out, and the Go function and KEGG pathway of modules and related genes were identified. Secondly, pivot analysis of modules can identify key regulators. On the other hand, based on the acute liver injury induced by CCl4, we use the combined analysis of proteomics and transcriptome to find therapeutic targets and related mechanisms of drugs. A total of 21 dysfunction modules were obtained, which were significantly involved in immune system, hepatitis and other related functions and pathways. Transcriptome analysis showed 117 targets for bifendate treatment, while 119 for muaddil sapra. Through exploring the mechanism, we found that the two drugs could modulate the module genes. Moreover, bifendate regulate the dysfunction module through ncRNA (SNORD43 and RNU11). Muaddil sapra can mediate dysfunction modules not only by regulating ncRNA (PRIM2 and PIP5K1B), but also by regulating TF (STAT1 and IRF8), thus having a wider therapeutic potential. On the other hand, proteome analysis showed that bifendate mainly regulated Rac2, Fermt3 and Plg, while muaddil sapra mainly regulated Sqle and Stat1. In addition, muaddil sapra regulates less metabolic related proteins to make them more effective. Overall, this study not only provides basic theory for further study of the complex pathogenesis of acute liver injury, but also provides valuable reference for clinical use of bifendate and muaddil sapra in the treatment of acute liver injury.