[Comparison of chemical constituents in Artemisiae Argyi Folium from different Dao-di producing areas based on UPLC and HS-GC-MS].

This study aims to compare the chemical constituents in 24 batches of Artemisiae Argyi Folium samples collected from three different Dao-di producing areas(Anguo in Hebei, Nanyang in Henan, and Qichun in Hubei). An ultra-performance liquid chromatography(UPLC) method was established to determine the content of 13 nonvolatile components, and headspace-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry(HS-GC-MS) was employed for qualitative analysis and comparison of the volatile components. The content of phenolic acids in Artemisiae Argyi Folium was higher than that of flavonoids, and the content of nonvolatile components showed no significant differences among the samples from the three Dao-di producing areas. A total of 40 volatile components were identified, and the relative content of volatile components in Artemisiae Argyi Folium was significantly different among the samples from different Dao-di producing areas. The principal component analysis and partial least squares discriminant analysis identified 8 volatile components as the potential markers for discrimination of Artemisiae Argyi Folium samples from different Dao-di producing areas. This study revealed the differences in the chemical composition of Artemisiae Argyi Folium samples from three different Dao-di producing areas, providing analytical methods and a scientific basis for the discrimination and quality evaluation of Artemisia Argyi Folium in different Dao-di producing areas.

[Prediction analysis of quality markers and resource evaluation of Artemisiae Argyi Folium based on chemical composition and network pharmacology].

This study is based on ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography(UPLC), gas chromatography-mass spectrometry(GC-MS), and network pharmacology methods to analyze and predict potential quality markers(Q-markers) of Artemisiae Argyi Folium. First, UPLC and GC-MS techniques were used to analyze the content of 12 non-volatile components and 8 volatile components in the leaves of 33 Artemisia argyi germplasm resources as candidate Q-markers. Subsequently, network pharmacology was employed to construct a "component-target-pathway-efficacy" network to screen out core Q-markers, and the biological activity of the markers was validated using molecular docking. Finally, cluster analysis and principal component analysis were performed on the content of Q-markers in the 33 A. argyi germplasm resources. The results showed that 18 candidate components, 60 targets, and 185 relationships were identified, which were associated with 72 pathways related to the treatment of 11 diseases and exhibited 5 other effects. Based on the combination of freedom and component specificity, six components, including eupatilin, cineole, ß-caryophyllene, dinatin, jaceosidin, and caryophyllene oxide were selected as potential Q-markers for Artemisiae Argyi Folium. According to the content of these six markers, cluster analysis divided the 33 A. argyi germplasm resources into three groups, and principal component analysis identified S14 as having the highest overall quality. This study provides a reference for exploring Q-markers of Artemisiae Argyi Folium, establishing a quality evaluation system, further studying its pharmacological mechanisms, and breeding new varieties.

[Comparison on volatile components between Artemisiae Verlotori Folium and Artemisiae Argyi Folium based on GC-MS and chemometrics].

Artemisiae Argyi Folium is commonly used in clinical practice. Artemisiae Verlotori Folium, the dried leaves of Artemisia verlotorum, is often used as a folk substitute for Artemisiae Argyi Folium in Lingnan area. In this study, gas chromatography-triple quadrupole mass spectrometry(GC-MS) was used to detect the volatile oil components of 27 samples of Artemisiae Verlotori Folium and 13 samples of Artemisiae Argyi Folium, and the volatile components were compared between the two species. The internal standard method was combined with multi-reaction monitoring mode(MRM) to determine the content of six major volatile components. Hierarchical clustering analysis(HCA) and orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis(OPLS-DA) were carried out for the content data. The results showed that the Artemisiae Argyi Folium samples had higher content and more abundant volatile oils than the Artemisiae Verlotori Folium samples. Artemisiae Argyi Folium mainly had the components with lower boiling points, while Artemisiae Verlotori Folium mainly had the components with higher boiling points. Terpenoids were the main volatile components in Artemisiae Verlotori Folium(mainly sesquiterpenoids) and Artemisiae Argyi Folium(monoterpenoids). In addition, Artemisiae Argyi Folium had higher content of oxygen-containing derivatives than Artemisiae Verlotori Folium. Furthermore, the stoichiometric analysis showed that the two species could be distinguished by both HCA and OPLS-DA, indicating that the volatile components of the two were significantly different. This study can provide a scientific basis for the quality evaluation and data support for the local rational application of Artemisiae Verlotori Folium in Lingnan.

Pharmacokinetic and tissue distribution study of eight volatile constituents in rats orally administrated with the essential oil of Artemisiae argyi Folium by GC-MS/MS.

Artemisia argyi is commonly used as a remedy for gynecological and respiratory disease in traditional Chinese medicine. The essential oil is considered as the major active ingredients of A. argyi, mainly composed of eucalyptol, α-thujone, camphor, borneol, bornyl acetate, eugenol, ß-caryophyllene, and caryophyllene oxide, while limited study addresses the in vivo disposition of these volatile ingredients. In present study, a rapid, sensitive and selective GC-MS/MS method has been developed and validated for the quantification of the eight volatile constituents in rat plasma and tissues after orally dosing with the essential oil of Artemisiae Argyi Folium (AAEO) using naphthalene as an internal standard (IS). The analytes were extracted from biosamples by liquid-liquid extraction with hexane/ethyl acetate. The GC separation was achieved on a TG-5SILMS column (30 m × 0.25 mm, 0.25 µm film thickness) and MS detection was performed on selective reaction monitoring (SRM) mode. The assay had a lower limit of quantification (LLOQ) less than 2 ng/ml for the analytes with good linearity (r ≥ 0.9907). Their disposition profile in rat plasma and tissues was characterized after orally giving AAEO, and the data revealed the analytes underwent rapid absorption from GI tract and were mainly transferred to the liver, heart, kidney, lung, and spleen with prompt elimination. The results provided a meaningful basis for guiding the pharmacodynamic study and clinical applications of this herbal medicine.

Carbon dots from Artemisiae Argyi Folium Carbonisata: strengthening the anti-frostbite ability.

In this study, novel carbon dots (CDs) were discovered and separated from Artemisiae Argyi Folium Carbonisata (AAFC) aqueous extract. AAFC-CDs were characterised by a series of methods, mainly including electron microscopy, optical technology and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Results displayed that AAFC-CDs with a quantum yield (QY) around 0.19% had a size distribution between 6.0 and 10.0 nm and possessed a nearly spherical shape, with a lattice spacing of 0.369 nm. In mice, AAFC-CDs reduced the tissue damage, ear frostbite, and body stiffness caused by cold, and provided energy by increasing the use of blood glucose. The mechanism may be by decreasing concentration of IL-1ßk, TNF-α and reducing the rise in blood glucose levels caused by frostbite. This study is the first to indicate that CDs may be the active constituent of AAFC against frostbite, suggesting their potential for clinical applications.

[Research progress on chemical constituents from Artemisiae Argyi Folium and their pharmacological activities and quality control].

Artemisiae Argyi Folium is a traditional medicine commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine(TCM). It contains volatile oil, flavones, phenylpropanoids, terpenes and other chemical constituents. It has the functions of antibacterial, antiviral, hemostasis, anti-tumor, liver protection, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidation, relieving cough and asthma and other pharmacological activities. At present, many useful researches on the quality of moxa floss and Artemisiae Argyi Folium have been carried out on the contents of volatile oil, flavones, phenylpropanoids, the storage time of Artemisiae Argyi Folium, the processing of moxa, the genuineness of Artemisiae Argyi Folium, and their heat release properties in combustion. This paper summarized the literature on the chemical composition, pharmacological activities and quality control of Artemisiae Argyi Folium and provided the basis for the further development and utilization of Artemisiae Argyi Folium.

[Comparison of therapeutic effect of moxibustion materials from different places and storage periods on knee osteoarthritis].

Osteoarthritis(OA) is a kind of osteoarticular degenerative disease. The most common joint involvement of OA is knee and hip joint. The incidence rate of OA increases with age. Meta analysis shows that moxibustion is superior to other therapies in treating knee osteoarthritis(KOA). In this study, the effects of moxibustion materials from different places of origin(Hubei Qichun, Henan Nanyang, Hunan) and storage periods(5, 3, 1 years) on knee osteoarthritis in rats were compared. The swelling degree of knee joint and the histopathology of knee joint cartilage were measured. The mechanism of moxibustion in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis was discussed from the perspective of Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway. The results showed that the swelling degree of knee joint in the moxibustion material group of Hubei Qichun and Henan Nanyang was significantly lower than that in the model group, the diffe-rence was statistically significant(P<0.05), and it was better than that in the moxibustion material group of Hunan Province; compared with the model group, the degeneration and pathological change of knee joint cartilage tissue in the moxibustion material group of different origins were alleviated to different degrees, the Mankin's score was significantly reduced, and that in the moxibustion material group of Qichun in Hubei Province and Nanyang in Henan Province was significantly reduced and better than Hunan moxibustion material group. The effect of moxibustion materials with different storage years on the swelling degree of osteoarthritis in rats was the earliest in Qichun 5-year group, and there was significant difference between Qichun 5-year group and model group after 3 days of treatment; the improvement of histopathological changes in Qichun 5-year and 3-year moxibustion materials group was better than that in Qichun 1-year moxibustion materials group. The study on the mechanism of action showed that moxibustion materials from different places could reduce the mRNA expression of ß-catenin, BMP-2, MMP-3, MMP-9 and MMP-13 genes in knee cartilage, suggesting that moxibustion could inhibit cartilage base by regulating Wnt/ß-catenin signal pathway. It may be one of the mechanisms of moxibustion in the treatment of OA.

Review of historical evaluation and modern application of Chinese materia medica fumigation in prevention of epidemic disease / 中草药

The fumigation of Chinese herbal medicines, such as Artemisiae Argyi Folium, Atractylodis Rhizoma, and Angelicae Dahuricae Radix, is one of the creations of ancient Chinese medical practitioners during the struggle against the disease for thousands of years. Researches have showed the application of fumigation of Chinese medicinal materials in clinical practice, and there are clear pharmacological studies to prove its related effective ingredients. Therefore, we review the historical evolution and modern application progress of Chinese materia medica fumigation. In the light of the infectious features of COVID-19 including air droplet transmission and even possible aerosol transmission, the corresponding Chinese herbal medicine fumigation should be recommended and used in hospitals, communities, and families, which is expected to play an important role in fighting disease infections.

Simultaneous determination of phenolic acids and flavonoids in Artemisiae Argyi Folium by HPLC-MS/MS and discovery of antioxidant ingredients based on relevance analysis.

A rapid and reliable LC-MS/MS method was developed for the quantitation of major components in Folium Artemisiae Argyi (mugwort), a widely used traditional Chinese herbal medicine. A total of 5 phenolic acids and 17 flavonoids were separated and simultaneously determined by using a Shiseido C18 column (150 × 3.0 mm, 3 µm) and gradient elution of acetonitrile-aqueous formic acid (100:0.1, v/v) at a 0.5 mL min-1 flow rate, via multiple reaction monitor (MRM) in polarity switching mode. The quantitative method was validated in terms of sensitivity, linearity, precision, accuracy and stability, which proved to be sensitive, accurate and reproducible. Then 65 samples collected from different areas were selected for component analysis by LC-MS/MS and assessment of antioxidant activity using DPPH, ABTS, FRAP, O2- and OH scavenging assays. Grey relational analysis and partial least square regression were used to evaluate the relevance between chemicals and bioactivities, and the results indicated chlorogenic acid, isochlorogenic acid B, A, C, eriodictyol, jaceosidin and eupatilin made the key contribution to antioxidant activity. The present study combines chemical analysis and bioassay to identify bioactive markers, which possesses potential value for the activity-oriented quality control of mugwort.

Characterization of moxa floss combustion by TG/DSC, TG-FTIR and IR.

The combustion of moxa floss was investigated by thermogravimetric/differential scanning calorimeter (TG/DSC), thermogravimetric/Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (TG-FTIR) and an infrared radiation spectrum-detecting system. The average mass loss rate at the major stage of combustion was 1.08%/min with a peak at 7.86%/min. Moxa floss burning released the integral heat of 9188 mJ/mg from the temperature of 200 °C to 500 °C. The peak heat flow during char combustion stage was higher than those of other stages. The results indicated the combustion of moxa floss was a mild and slow process, releasing heat continuously and steadily. The infrared radiation spectra of burning moxa stick were in a range of 2.5-13.0 µm and showed double peaks at 3.75 µm and 8.75 µm. Thus, this study provided insight into why moxa floss biomass is the optimal material for thermal therapy and is beneficial for the development of electric thermal stimulation alternative.

[Identification and determination of phenolic acids and flavonoids in Artemisiae Argyi Folium by UPLC-DAD-MS].

The study aims to qualitatively and quantitatively analyze phenolic acids and flavonoids in Artemisiae Argyi Folium cultivated in Qichun(Qiai) for the quality control of this genuine regional herbs. UPLC-LTQ-Orbitrap-MS was used for rapid separation and structural identification of the constituents. Samples were separated on an UPLC column(2. 1 mm×100 mm,1. 8 µm) by gradient elution using 0. 1% formic acid and acetonitrile as mobile phases at a flow rate of 0. 4 m L·min-1. By UPLC-LTQ-Orbitrap-MS,16 compounds including phenolic acids and flavonoids were identified by comparison with reference standards or literature data. For quantitative analysis,12 identified compounds were simultaneously determined by UPLC-DAD at wavelengths of 330 nm. The method was validated with respect to linearity,precision,repeatability,stability and recovery. The contents of these compounds were found to differ significantly between the samples from Qichun and other areas. This strategy was novel,effective and straightforward,which provided a potential approach for holistic quality control of Qiai.

Study of the Variation of Phenolic Acid and Flavonoid Content from Fresh Artemisiae argyi Folium to Moxa Wool.

Artemisiae argyi Folium (AAF) is a popular herbal medicine that is always employed in moxa sticks and by oral dosage in clinical use. Less attention has been paid to nonvolatile compounds as active compounds, such as phenolic acids and flavonoids. In this study, we focused on the variation rule of phenolic acids and flavonoids in the various transformations of Artemisiae argyi Folium. Using the established ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) method with an excellent methodology under "spider-web" mode, six phenolic acids and three flavonoids were simultaneously quantified in fresh and drying Artemisiae argyi Folium as well as in moxa wool and residue. Some interesting phenomena about the variation rule of phenolic acids and flavonoids were uncovered. First, a sharp increase was observed in the detected compounds' content as the moisture gradually decreased, when fresh Artemisiae argyi Folium was exposed to sunlight and ambient or high temperature. Nevertheless, the increased phenolic acids were subjected to high temperature, leading to obvious degradation under oven-drying (60 °C and 80 °C). Second, a wide content distribution was revealed for the detected compounds in Artemisiae argyi Folium from different habitats, especially rutin, caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid, jaceosidin, eupatilin, and cryptochlorogenic acid. Third, accompanied by the elevated ratio of Artemisiae argyi Folium/moxa wool, the detected compounds conspicuously decreased in moxa wool and the correspondingly removed powder as residue. Importantly, a greater variation was found in moxa wool. Our findings contribute to the optimization of the drying process, the quality evaluation of the various transformations of Artemisiae argyi Folium, and the distinctive characterization of moxa wool produced at different ratios of Artemisiae argyi Folium/moxa wool.

Comparison of Artemisiae argyi Folium and Artemisiae lavandulaefoliae Folium by simultaneous determination of multi-components with single reference standard method and chemometric analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Artemisiae argyi Folium and Artemisiae lavandulaefoliae Folium, two morphologically similar herbal medicines derived from Artemisia genus. Although the two Artemisia herbs have been used as medicines for a long time in China, the study of their phytochemical and bioactive composition is limited. OBJECTIVE: To comprehensively compare and evaluate the composition of Artemisiae argyi Folium and Artemisiae lavandulaefoliae Folium, and find the chemical makers for quality evaluation of the two Artemisia herbal medicines. METHODOLOGY: Eight compounds including six phenolic acids and two flavonoids were assayed by a single reference standard for simultaneous determination of multi-components method using 3-caffeoylquinic acid as the reference standard. The quantitative data were further analysed by chemometric approaches to compare and distinguish the two herbal medicines. RESULTS: The credibility and feasibility of the single reference standard for simultaneous determination of the multi-components method were carefully validated. The validated method was applied to analyse 16 batches of Artemisiae argyi Folium and 10 batches of Artemisiae lavandulaefoliae Folium samples. The quantitative results showed that 3,5-di-O-caffeoylquinic acid was the most abundant constituent, and the contents of flavonoids were notably different between the two herbal medicines. The chemometric analysis results indicated the two flavonoids, jaceosidin and eupatilin could be used as chemical markers for quality evaluation of the two herbal medicines. CONCLUSION: The single reference standard for simultaneous determination of the multi-components method coupled with chemometrics analysis could be a well-acceptable strategy to compare and evaluate the quality of Artemisiae argyi Folium and Artemisiae lavandulaefoliae Folium.

Development of Analytical Method and Validation using HPLC/PDA for Discrimination between Artemisiae Argyi Folium and Artemisiae Iwayomogii Herba

In this study, we described the new developed method to simultaneously discriminate two herbal drugs of Artemisiae Argyi Folium and Artemisiae Iwayomogii Herba using eight marker compounds (1 – 8) on an HPLC-PDA system. The developed method was applied to quantify the major components of two herbal drugs. The pattern analysis successfully discriminated and evaluated different components between Artemisiae Argyi Folium and Artemisiae Iwayomogii Herba. Results were used for classification of different species from collected samples.

Identification and determination of phenolic acids and flavonoids in Artemisiae Argyi Folium by UPLC-DAD-MS / 中国中药杂志

The study aims to qualitatively and quantitatively analyze phenolic acids and flavonoids in Artemisiae Argyi Folium cultivated in Qichun(Qiai) for the quality control of this genuine regional herbs. UPLC-LTQ-Orbitrap-MS was used for rapid separation and structural identification of the constituents. Samples were separated on an UPLC column(2. 1 mm×100 mm,1. 8 μm) by gradient elution using 0. 1% formic acid and acetonitrile as mobile phases at a flow rate of 0. 4 m L·min-1. By UPLC-LTQ-Orbitrap-MS,16 compounds including phenolic acids and flavonoids were identified by comparison with reference standards or literature data. For quantitative analysis,12 identified compounds were simultaneously determined by UPLC-DAD at wavelengths of 330 nm. The method was validated with respect to linearity,precision,repeatability,stability and recovery. The contents of these compounds were found to differ significantly between the samples from Qichun and other areas. This strategy was novel,effective and straightforward,which provided a potential approach for holistic quality control of Qiai.

[Quality evaluation of Artemisiae Argyi Folium based on fingerprint analysis and quantitative analysis of multicomponents].

Artemisiae Argyi Folium, the dried leaves of Artemisia argyi, has been widely used in traditional Chinese and folk medicines for treatment of hemorrhage, pain, and skin itch. Phytochemical studies indicated that volatile oil, organic acid and flavonoids were the main bioactive components in Artemisiae Argyi Folium. Compared to the volatile compounds, the research of nonvolatile compounds in Artemisiae Argyi Folium are limited. In the present study, an accurate and reliable fingerprint approach was developed using HPLC for quality control of Artemisiae Argyi Folium. A total of 10 common peaks were marked，and the similarity of all the Artemisiae Argyi Folium samples was above 0.940. The established fingerprint method could be used for quality control of Artemisiae Argyi Folium. Furthermore, an HPLC method was applied for simultaneous determination of seven bioactive compounds including five organic acids and two flavonoids in Artemisiae Argyi Folium and Artemisiae Lavandulaefoliae Folium samples. Moreover, chemometrics methods such as hierarchical clustering analysis and principal component analysis were performed to compare and discriminate the Artemisiae Argyi Folium and Artemisiae Lavandulaefoliae Folium based on the quantitative data of analytes. The results indicated that simultaneous quantification of multicomponents coupled with chemometrics analysis could be a well-acceptable strategy to identify and evaluate the quality of Artemisiae Argyi Folium.

Quality evaluation of Artemisiae Argyi Folium based on fingerprint analysis and quantitative analysis of multicomponents / 中国中药杂志

Artemisiae Argyi Folium, the dried leaves of Artemisia argyi, has been widely used in traditional Chinese and folk medicines for treatment of hemorrhage, pain, and skin itch. Phytochemical studies indicated that volatile oil, organic acid and flavonoids were the main bioactive components in Artemisiae Argyi Folium. Compared to the volatile compounds, the research of nonvolatile compounds in Artemisiae Argyi Folium are limited. In the present study, an accurate and reliable fingerprint approach was developed using HPLC for quality control of Artemisiae Argyi Folium. A total of 10 common peaks were marked，and the similarity of all the Artemisiae Argyi Folium samples was above 0.940. The established fingerprint method could be used for quality control of Artemisiae Argyi Folium. Furthermore, an HPLC method was applied for simultaneous determination of seven bioactive compounds including five organic acids and two flavonoids in Artemisiae Argyi Folium and Artemisiae Lavandulaefoliae Folium samples. Moreover, chemometrics methods such as hierarchical clustering analysis and principal component analysis were performed to compare and discriminate the Artemisiae Argyi Folium and Artemisiae Lavandulaefoliae Folium based on the quantitative data of analytes. The results indicated that simultaneous quantification of multicomponents coupled with chemometrics analysis could be a well-acceptable strategy to identify and evaluate the quality of Artemisiae Argyi Folium.

Molecular network-based analysis of the mechanism of liver injury induced by volatile oils from Artemisiae argyi folium.

BACKGROUND: Volatile oils from Artemisiae argyi folium (VOAAF) is reported with hepatotoxicity, but the underlying mechanism is still unclear. METHODS: In the present study this molecular mechanism was explored with the Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA). The chemical components of the VOAAF were searched in the database, and their target proteins were all identified in the PubChem, while drug-induced liver injury (DILI) genes were searched in the PubMed gene databases. The molecular network of protein targets for VOAAF and DILI genes was built with the IPA. The canonical pathways between the 2 networks were compared to decipher the molecular mechanisms of the liver injury induced by VOAAF. RESULTS: There were 159 target proteins for VOAAF and 338 genes related to DILI identified, which were further analyzed in the IPA. The canonical pathway comparison showed that VOAAF and DILI both worked on aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR), lipopolysaccharide (LPS)/interleukin 1 (IL-1) mediated inhibition of retinoid X receptor (RXR) function, pregnane X receptor (PXR)/RXR activation, xenobiotic metabolism, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR), hepatic cholestasis, farnesoid X receptor (FXR)/RXR activation, and glucocorticoid receptor. CONCLUSION: VOAAF-induced liver injury may be involved in many pathways in which the AHR signaling and LPS/IL-1 mediated inhibition of RXR function pathways could be the most vital.