Antichilblain Components in Eggplant Based on Network Pharmacology and Biological Evaluation.

Eggplant, the fruit of Solanum melongena L. (Solanaceae), is applied externally to relieve the symptoms of chilblains in the folk in East Asia. However, the mechanisms and biological ingredients are not clear. A network pharmacology approach was used to shed light on the mechanisms of eggplant against chilblains, which illustrated that anti-inflammation and antioxidation are mainly involved in the curative effects. Bioassay-guided assays led to the isolation of 44 ingredients (1-44), including two new natural compounds (1-2) and 42 known compounds. Thirteen compounds (3-15) were first reported from the Solanum genus. The anti-inflammatory and antioxidative effects of all isolates were evaluated, and the results showed that 11 compounds have anti-inflammatory activity and 27 have antioxidant activity. Fatty acids, flavonoids, alkaloids, phenolic acids, saponins, and lignans from eggplant have certain anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. These results provide a scientific basis for eggplant to treat chilblains.

Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometric method for the analysis of fluconazole and evaluation of the impact of phenolic compounds on the concentration of fluconazole in Candida albicans.

A bioanalytical method using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry was developed for the analysis of fluconazole in Candida albicans after incubation with phenolic compounds, which have been proved possessing antifungal properties and have synergetic activity against C. albicans when in combination with fluconazole. Samples of C. albicans thallus obtained by centrifuging the mixed culture after 24 h incubation were saponified and centrifuged. The supernatant was evaporated to dryness, reconstituted, and injected on a C18 column using an organic-aqueous mobile phase. The chromatographic run time was 3.5 min per injection, with retention times of 2.4 min for fluconazole. The detection was by monitoring fluconazole at m/z 305-->191. The standard curve range was 1.0-100.0 ng ml(-1) with a mean correlation coefficient 0.9992. The precision and accuracy of the quality control (QC) samples were R.S.D < 5.5%, R.E. <3% for intra-day and R.S.D. <6.2%, R.E. <4% for inter-day. The concentration of fluconazole in C. albicans was found to be increased with the increment of the tested compounds concentration when they were in combination.