Non-targeted characteristic filter analysis combined with in silico prediction strategies to identify the chemical components and in vivo metabolites of Dalitong Granules by UPLC-Q-TOF/MS/MS.

Dalitong Granules, a potent gastrointestinal motility promoting traditional Chinese medicine, is used to treat functional dyspepsia clinically. It shows good effect on alleviating gastrointestinal motility disorders and has a broad prospect of clinical application. However, there is no comprehensive study on its in vivo and in vitro chemical analysis. UPLC-Q-TOF-MS combined with the non-targeted characteristic filter analysis and in silico prediction strategies (NCFS) were used to deduce and identify the chemical components and in vivo metabolites in the bio-samples of rats following oral administration of Dalitong Granules. In this study, 108 chemical components were identified in Dalitong granules, including 50 flavonoids, 22 alkaloids, 13 terpenes, 11 organic acids, 10 coumarins and 2 volatile oils. In the plasma, tissue, urine and fecal samples of rats after administration of Dalitong granules, a total of 147 compounds were speculated (60 prototype compounds and 87 metabolites). The main metabolic pathways in vivo include methylation, demethylation, deglycosylation, hydrogenation, hydroxylation, sulfonation and glucuronidation as there are many flavonoids existing in Dalitong Granules. In conclusion, the chemical components and metabolites of Dalitong Granules were comprehensively identified by using a rapid and accurate analysis method, which laid a foundation for dissecting its bioactive substances. In addition, it provides a scientific basis for the in-depth study of the material basis of Dalitong Granules efficacy and its further comprehensive development and utilization.

Homeostatic regulation of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor-cytochrome P450 1a axis by Scutellaria baicalensis-Coptis chinensis herb pair and its main constituents.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Scutellaria baicalensis (SB) and Coptis chinensis (CC) are widely used traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for "heat-clearing and damp-drying" and "purging fire and detoxifying". SB-CC are commonly used as a herbal pair for synergistic treatment of various diseases such as bacteria-related infections, metabolic syndromes, and some inflammatory disorders. This herbal pair is commonly used in many famous TCM formula, like Huang-Lian-Jie-Du, Gegen-Qinlian, Banxia Xiexin decoction. Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) plays an essential role in the disposition of both xenobiotics and endogenous substances through the induction of cytochrome P450 1A (CYP1A) enzymes. Regulation of the AHR-CYP1A axis is increasingly implicated in drug-drug and drug-herb interactions. Research on SB-CC for regulatory effect on the AHR-CYP1A axis is only limited to few compounds. AIM OF THE STUDY: This study aimed to systematically investigate the regulatory effect of SB-CC and its main constitutes on the AHR-CYP1A axis in vitro and in vivo. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The livers of mice treated with SB-CC extract were subjected to RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq). The key target genes related to drug metabolism were screened, and the differential expression genes (DEGs) were validated by qRT-PCR, Western blot, and enzyme activity assay. Luciferase reporter gene, qRT-PCR, and Western blot assays were used to determine whether SB-CC and their main constituents could activate AHR and regulate CYP1A expression in HepG2 cells. The effect of SB-CC on the pharmacokinetics of phenacetin, a CYP1A substrate, were further observed in mice to test the net effect of SB-CC on CYP1A functions. The potential CYP1A inhibitors in SB-CC were screened and their inhibitory mechanisms were also studied using human liver microsomes. RESULTS: AHR and drug metabolism system, especially CYP1A1 and CYP1A2, were strongly affected in the liver of SB-CC-treated mice. These results were further validated by the findings that SB-CC increased CYP1A's mRNA, protein expression and activity in mouse liver. In HepG2 cells, SB, CC, baicalin, baicalein, chrysin, oroxylin A, berberine, coptisine and epiberberine increased CYP1A1 mRNA expression in an AHR-dependent way. Interestingly, SB-CC treatment for 14 days only slightly increased the systemic exposure of paracetamol in mice. In the CYP1A inhibition assay, SB, CC, baicalin, baicalein, wogonoside, wogonin, chrysin, oroxylin A, scutellarein, columbamine, coptisine, palmatine, epiberberine, and berberrubine inhibited CYP1A activity in different degree. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggested that SB-CC exerted dual regulatory effect on the AHR-CYP1A axis by increasing CYP1A expression but simultaneously inhibiting CYP1A activity, which may contribute to a tight modulation of AHR signaling for homeostatic control.

Sesquiterpene lactones-rich fraction from Aucklandia lappa Decne. alleviates dextran sulfate sodium induced ulcerative colitis through co-regulating MAPK and Nrf2/Hmox-1 signaling pathway.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Aucklandia lappa Decne. (ALDE) is the general name for Asteraceae plants Yunmuxiang, which has traditionally been proven to have the efficacy in relieving depression by regulating qi, alleviating cold by warming, attenuating pain in stomach and relieving diarrhea in intestines. Therefore, ALDE is always recommended as an herbal remedy for gastrointestinal dysfunction. AIM OF THE STUDY: The purpose of this study was to explore the therapeutic potential and mechanism of action of the sesquiterpene lactone-rich fraction (SLRF) of ALDE extracts in vivo and in vitro. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An aqueous extract (AE) and SLRF of ALDE were prepared and the contents of the main components were quantified by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The therapeutic effects of the extracts were evaluated in C57BL/6 mice with dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced ulcerative colitis (UC). Body weight, disease activity index (DAI), and colon length were recorded, and histopathological changes in the colon were characterized using hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining. The in vitro anti-inflammatory activity and possible mechanisms of the two main sesquiterpene lactones in ALDE (costunolide and dehydrocostus lactone) were studied by quantitative proteomic analysis. Finally, based on bioinformatic analysis, we used polymerase chain reaction (PCR), immunofluorescence, and western blot experiments to verify the anti-inflammatory mechanism of the extracts in C57BL/6 mice. RESULTS: The SLRF of ALDE significantly improved the pathological symptoms and inflammatory pathology of UC, whereas the AE had a weak protective effect. In RAW264.7 cells stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), costunolide and dehydrocostus lactone significantly reduced the mRNA levels of interleukin (IL)-1ß, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, suggesting that these two sesquiterpene lactones had strong anti-inflammatory activity. Quantitative proteomics results indicated that the anti-inflammatory mechanism of these lactones was associated with the NF-κB/MAPK and Nrf2-Hmox-1 pathways. These results were further validated in SLRF-treated mice. CONCLUSION: This study confirmed that the SLRF of ALDE exerted protective activity against UC by regulating the Nrf2-Hmox-1, NF-κB, and MAPK pathways.

Characterization of the chemical constituents and in vivo metabolic profile of Scutellaria barbata D. Don by ultra high performance liquid chromatography with high-resolution mass spectrometry.

Scutellaria barbata D. Don (S. barbata) is one of the most frequently used anticancer herb medicine in China. Mechanistic understanding of the biological activities of S. barbata is hindered by limited knowledge regarding its components and metabolic profile. In this study, ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with high resolution mass spectrometry (quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry) was used to identify the chemical constituents in S. barbata and their metabolic profiles in rats. By applying cleavage rules and comparison with reference substances, 89 components were identified in S. barbata, which included 45 flavonoids, 28 diterpenoids, 10 phenolics, and 6 others. A total of 110 compounds, including 32 prototype compounds and 78 metabolites, were identified or tentatively characterized in vivo. Methylation, sulfonation, and glucuronidation were the main metabolic pathways, which could be attributed to the fact that several of the compounds in S. barbata have phenolic hydroxyl groups. This is the first systematic study on the chemical constituents and in vivo metabolic profile of S. barbata. The analytical method features a quick and comprehensive dissection of the chemical composition and metabolic profile of S. barbata and provides a basis for exploring its various biological activities.