6-Oxofurostane and (iso)Spirostane Types of Saponins in Smilax sieboldii: UHPLC-QToF-MS/MS and GNPS-Molecular Networking Approach for the Rapid Dereplication and Biodistribution of Specialized Metabolites.

Identifying novel phytochemical secondary metabolites following classical pharmacognostic investigations is tedious and often involves repetitive chromatographic efforts. During the past decade, Ultra-High Performance Liquid Chromatography-Quadrupole Time of Flight-Tandem Mass Spectrometry (UHPLC-QToF-MS/MS), in combination with molecular networking, has been successfully demonstrated for the rapid dereplication of novel natural products in complex mixtures. As a logical application of such innovative tools in botanical research, more than 40 unique 3-oxy-, 3, 6-dioxy-, and 3, 6, 27-trioxy-steroidal saponins were identified in aerial parts and rhizomes of botanically verified Smilax sieboldii. Tandem mass diagnostic fragmentation patterns of aglycones, diosgenin, sarsasapogenin/tigogenin, or laxogenin were critical to establishing the unique nodes belonging to six groups of nineteen unknown steroidal saponins identified in S. sieboldii. Mass fragmentation analysis resulted in the identification of 6-hydroxy sapogenins, believed to be key precursors in the biogenesis of characteristic smilaxins and sieboldins, along with other saponins identified within S. sieboldii. These analytes' relative biodistribution and characteristic molecular networking profiles were established by analyzing the leaf, stem, and root/rhizome of S. sieboldii. Deducing such profiles is anticipated to aid the overall product integrity of botanical dietary supplements while avoiding tedious pharmacognostic investigations and helping identify exogenous components within the finished products.

Development and Validation of a UHPLC-PDA-MS Method for the Quantitative Analysis of Anthraquinones in Bulbine natalensis Extracts and Dietary Supplements.

A UHPLC-photodiode array-MS method was developed and validated for the quantification of one chromone and six anthraquinone type of compounds from Bulbine natalensis plant samples and dietary supplements. Metabolites 1:  -  7: were identified based on their retention times and electrospray ionization-MS spectra compared with a mix of previously isolated compounds. The quantification of 1:  -  7: was based on photodiode array detection. The optimized separation was achieved using a CORTECS C18 column with a gradient of water/acetonitrile as the mobile phase. Seven compounds were separated within 15 minutes with detection limits of 50 pg on the column. The analytical method was validated for linearity, repeatability, accuracy, limits of detection, and limits of quantification. The relative standard deviations for intra- and inter-day experiments were less than 5% and the recovery efficiency was 98 - 101%. Nine dietary supplements labeled as containing B. natalensis were examined. Anthraquinone-type compounds were detected in only five out of nine dietary supplements, with the total amount ranging from 11.3 to 90.4 mg per daily dose. The analytical method is simple, economic, rapid, and can be applied for quality assessment of B. natalensis and dietary supplements. Electrospray ionization-MS was used for the identification of these compounds in plant samples and dietary products.

Chemical profiling and characterization of phenolic acids, flavonoids, terpene glycosides from Vangueria agrestis using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography/ion mobility quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry and metabolomics approach.

Vangueria agrestis is a shrub indigenous to tropical Africa, belonging to family Rubiaceae and is traditionally used as a decoction for treatment of fever, pain, and malaria. This study was undertaken to investigate the chemical constituents based on precursor exact mass and fragment ion information. The chemical profiling and structural characteristics of chemical constituents from methanolic extracts of dried aerial parts and roots of V. agrestis and dietary supplements were analyzed using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography/ion mobility quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry coupled with UNIFI platform and multivariate analysis in both negative and positive ion modes. A non-targeted ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis was carried out to profile the chemical constituents of crude extracts of V. agrestis, and 73 compounds, including reference compounds, were identified. The fragments of flavonoids, monoterpene, and triterpene glycosides revealed the characteristic cleavage of glycosidic linkages, and the fragmentation pattern provided the identity of the sugars. This analytical method provides a quick method for quality assessment of dietary supplements. Finally, a chemometrics approach with multivariate statistical tools was used to visualize the differences between root and aerial parts of plant samples and to find the potential chemical markers that differentiate among these parts of V. agrestis samples and dietary supplements.

Anthraquinone-Based Specialized Metabolites from Rhizomes of Bulbine natalensis.

The rhizomes of Bulbine natalensis furnished six previously unreported anthraquinone derivatives (1-6), together with eight known specialized metabolites. Their structures were determined by interpretation of 1D and 2D NMR and HRESIMS data. The absolute configurations of compounds 1-6 were determined by specific rotation and circular dichroism experiments. The isolated compounds were evaluated for antimicrobial activities, and compound 1 was found to be a moderate inhibitor (IC50 0.02 µM) against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).

Quantification of Phenolic Compounds from Fadogia agrestis and Dietary Supplements using UHPLC-PDA-MS.

Fadogia agrestis is used in traditional African medicine as an analgesic and for anti-inflammatory and aphrodisiac activities. An ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography method was developed for the determination of 11 chemical constituents from roots and aerial parts of F. agrestis. The separation was achieved within 7 min by using C-18 column material and a water/acetonitrile mobile phase, both containing 0.1% formic acid gradient system with a temperature of 45 °C. The method was validated for linearity, repeatability, limits of detection, and limits of quantification. The limits of detection of phenolic compounds were found to be in the range from 0.025 to 0.1 µg/mL. The wavelengths used for quantification with the photodiode array detector were 238, 254, 291, and 325 nm. Twelve of 17 dietary supplements contained phenolic compounds in the range from 0.3 to 2.7 mg/d. The phenolic compounds were not detected in five dietary supplements. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry coupled with electrospray ionization interface method is described for the identification and confirmation of compounds from plant samples and dietary supplements claiming to contain F. agrestis. This method involved the use of [M + H]+ and [M + Na]+ ions in the positive mode and [M - H]- ions in the negative mode with extractive ion monitoring. The developed method is simple, economic, rapid, and especially suitable for quality control and chemical fingerprint analysis of F. agrestis.

Metabolism of primaquine in normal human volunteers: investigation of phase I and phase II metabolites from plasma and urine using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry.

BACKGROUND: Primaquine (PQ), an 8-aminoquinoline, is the only drug approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration for radical cure and prevention of relapse in Plasmodium vivax infections. Knowledge of the metabolism of PQ is critical for understanding the therapeutic efficacy and hemolytic toxicity of this drug. Recent in vitro studies with primary human hepatocytes have been useful for developing the ultra high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometric (UHPLC-QToF-MS) methods for simultaneous determination of PQ and its metabolites generated through phase I and phase II pathways for drug metabolism. METHODS: These methods were further optimized and applied for phenotyping PQ metabolites from plasma and urine from healthy human volunteers treated with single 45 mg dose of PQ. Identity of the metabolites was predicted by MetaboLynx using LC-MS/MS fragmentation patterns. Selected metabolites were confirmed with appropriate standards. RESULTS: Besides PQ and carboxy PQ (cPQ), the major plasma metabolite, thirty-four additional metabolites were identified in human plasma and urine. Based on these metabolites, PQ is viewed as metabolized in humans via three pathways. Pathway 1 involves direct glucuronide/glucose/carbamate/acetate conjugation of PQ. Pathway 2 involves hydroxylation (likely cytochrome P450-mediated) at different positions on the quinoline ring, with mono-, di-, or even tri-hydroxylations possible, and subsequent glucuronide conjugation of the hydroxylated metabolites. Pathway 3 involves the monoamine oxidase catalyzed oxidative deamination of PQ resulting in formation of PQ-aldehyde, PQ alcohol and cPQ, which are further metabolized through additional phase I hydroxylations and/or phase II glucuronide conjugations. CONCLUSION: This approach and these findings augment our understanding and provide comprehensive view of pathways for PQ metabolism in humans. These will advance the clinical studies of PQ metabolism in different populations for different therapeutic regimens and an understanding of the role these play in PQ efficacy and safety outcomes, and their possible relation to metabolizing enzyme polymorphisms.

The role of surface functionalization on the pulmonary inflammogenicity and translocation into mediastinal lymph nodes of graphene nanoplatelets in rats.

Graphene, a two-dimensional monocrystalline layer of carbon atoms, has potential in many applications not only in material sciences, but also in the biomedical fields, but there is little information about the role of surface modification on the toxicity of graphene-based nanomaterials. Here, we evaluated the role of surface functionalization of the graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) on the pulmonary inflammogenicity and translocation into mediastinal lymph nodes using a rat intratracheal instillation model. Six types of GNPs were used: All types of GNPs were based on the pristine GNPs (GNPdot), and different functional groups were conjugated onto them including a COOH (GNPCOOH), COH [Formula: see text], N-H [Formula: see text], F x (GNPF), and N=H [Formula: see text]. All types of GNPs showed very high potential for the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in a dose-dependent manner when measured by a 2'7'-dichlorofluorescin diacetate assay. GNPs were instilled into the lungs of rats at 0.3 and 1 mg/rat for the evaluation of acute (24 h) inflammation and at 3 mg/rat for chronic (1 and 4 weeks) inflammation. At 24 h after instillation, all types of GNPs showed good dose-dependent increases in polymorphonuclear leukocytes with a clear dose-dependency although significant increases compared to vehicle control were found only in positively charged GNPs [Formula: see text]. While the acute inflammation in all treatment groups was returned to control levels at 1 and 4 weeks after instillation, GNPs showed similar patterns of translocation into the mediastinal lymph nodes with a higher degree over time. This study implies that the main factors of GNPs for producing lung inflammation are the potential for ROS generation and surface charge. In addition, functional groups on the GNPs might not play an important role in the extrapulmonary translocation into the mediastinal lymph nodes.

Overexpression of the IbMYB1 gene in an orange-fleshed sweet potato cultivar produces a dual-pigmented transgenic sweet potato with improved antioxidant activity.

The R2R3-type protein IbMYB1 is a key regulator of anthocyanin biosynthesis in the storage roots of sweet potato [Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam]. Previously, we demonstrated that IbMYB1 expression stimulated anthocyanin pigmentation in tobacco leaves and Arabidopsis. Here, we generated dual-pigmented transgenic sweet potato plants that accumulated high levels of both anthocyanins and carotenoids in a single sweet potato storage root. An orange-fleshed cultivar with high carotenoid levels was transformed with the IbMYB1 gene under the control of either the storage root-specific sporamin 1 (SPO1) promoter or the oxidative stress-inducible peroxidase anionic 2 (SWPA2) promoter. The SPO1-MYB transgenic lines exhibited higher anthocyanin levels in storage roots than empty vector control (EV) or SWPA2-MYB plants, but carotenoid content was unchanged. SWPA2-MYB transgenic lines exhibited higher levels of both anthocyanin and carotenoids than EV plants. Analysis of hydrolyzed anthocyanin extracts indicated that cyanidin and peonidin predominated in both overexpression lines. Quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis demonstrated that IbMYB1 expression in both IbMYB1 transgenic lines strongly induced the upregulation of several genes in the anthocyanin biosynthetic pathway, whereas the expression of carotenoid biosynthetic pathway genes varied between transgenic lines. Increased anthocyanin levels in transgenic plants also promoted the elevation of proanthocyanidin and total phenolic levels in fresh storage roots. Consequently, all IbMYB1 transgenic plants displayed much higher antioxidant activities than EV plants. In field cultivations, storage root yields varied between the transgenic lines. Taken together, our results indicate that overexpression of IbMYB1 is a highly promising strategy for the generation of transgenic plants with enhanced antioxidant capacity.

Down-regulation of sweetpotato lycopene ß-cyclase gene enhances tolerance to abiotic stress in transgenic calli.

Lycopene ß-cyclase (LCY-ß) is a key enzyme involved in the synthesis of α- and ß-branch carotenoids such as α-carotene and ß-carotene through the cyclization of lycopene. IbLCY-ß had a length of 1,506 bp and approximately 80 % nucleotide sequence identity with that of tomato LCY-ß. IbLCY-ß was strongly expressed in leaves, and expression was enhanced by salt-stress and osmotic-stress conditions. To characterize the LCY-ß gene (IbLCY-ß) of sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas), it was isolated and transformed into calli of white-fleshed sweetpotato using an IbLCY-ß-RNAi vector. Transgenic IbLCY-ß-RNAi calli had yellow to orange color and higher antioxidant activity compared to that of white, nontransgenic (NT) calli. Transgenic cells had significantly higher contents of total carotenoids, although lycopene was not detected in transgenic or NT cells. All transgenic calli had strongly activated expression of carotenoid biosynthetic genes such as ß-carotene hydroxylases (CHY-ß), cytochrome P450 monooxygenases (P450), and carotenoid cleavage dioxigenase 1 (CCD1). Transgenic cells exhibited less salt-induced oxidative-stress damage compared to that of NT cells, and also had greater tolerance for polyethylene glycol (PEG)-mediated drought compared to that of NT cells, due to the higher water content and reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) content. The abscisic acid content was also higher in transgenic cells. These results show that a study of IbLCY-ß can facilitate understanding of the carotenoid biosynthetic pathway in sweetpotato. IbLCY-ß could be useful for developing transgenic sweetpotato enriched with nutritional carotenoids and with greater tolerance to abiotic stresses.

Anti-Helicobacter pylori Activity of Six Major Compounds Isolated from Rumex acetosa.

Gastric problems are often caused by the well-known Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) bacterium. One of the biggest obstacles to the treatment of H. pylori infections is increasing the antibiotic resistance. During our search for naturally derived anti-H. pylori compounds, six major compounds were isolated from the methylene chloride (CH2Cl2) and ethyl acetate (EtOAc) fractions of Rumex acetosa that showed anti-H. pylori activity. Three anthraquinones and three anthraquinone glucosides were identified as the major chemical constituents of the CH2Cl2 and EtOAc fractions, respectively. The chemical structures were identified to be emodin (1), chrysophanol (2), physcion (3), emodin-8-O-ß-d-glucoside (4), chrysophanol-8-O-ß-d-glucoside (5), and physcion-8-O-ß-d-glucoside (6) by UV, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, and mass spectrometry. Anti-H. pylori activity, including the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) value of each compound, was evaluated against two H. pylori strains. All isolates exhibited anti-H. pylori activity with different potencies, with an MIC value ranging between 3.13 and 25 µM. However, some variations were found between the two strains. While compound 5 displayed the most potent antibacterial activity with an MIC50 value of 8.60 µM and an MIC90 value of 15.7 µM against H. pylori strain 51, compound 1 exhibited the most potent inhibitory activity against H. pylori strain 43504. The two compounds also showed moderate urease inhibitory activity, with compound 1 demonstrating activity higher than that of compound 5. Furthermore, a molecular docking study revealed the high binding ability of compounds 1 and 5 to the active site of H. pylori urease. The present study suggests that the six anthraquinones isolated from R. acetosa with the whole parts of this plant may be natural candidates for the treatment of H. pylori infection. Further studies are required to determine the exact mechanism of action and to evaluate safety issues in the human body.

Daphne jejudoensis Attenuates LPS-Induced Inflammation by Inhibiting TNF-α, IL-1ß, IL-6, iNOS, and COX-2 Expression in Periodontal Ligament Cells.

Periodontitis is a common disease involving inflammation and tissue destruction in the periodontal region. Although uncontrolled long-term inflammation in the gingiva may lead to loss of the periodontal ligament, treatments or preventive solutions for periodontitis are scarce. The aim of this study is to find anti-inflammatory material from a natural source that can be used to treat or protect against periodontitis. Daphne species (Thymelaeaceae) are important and popular components of traditional Chinese medicine and are used as anti-inflammatory agents. Daphne jejudoensis is an endemic plant that grows on Jeju Island and was identified as a new species in 2013. In this study, for the first time, we investigated the anti-inflammatory effect of D. jejudoensis leaf extract (DJLE) on human periodontal ligament cells. The gene expression levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (interleukin-1ß and 6 and tumor necrosis factor-α) and inflammation-inducible enzymes (inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase-2) were reduced after DJLE treatment with/without lipopolysaccharide stimulation. The findings of this study indicate that D. jejudoensis possesses anti-inflammatory activities, suggesting that DJLE may be a potential preventive and therapeutic agent for periodontitis.

Comparative analysis of five Salvia species using LC-DAD-QToF.

Several Salvia species, commonly known as sage plants, are an integral part of various culinary and folklore preparations for the perceived wide range of effects from organoleptic to psychological. As a result, many of these species are an integral part of botanical drug applications, highlighting the need for accurate identification and quality control for consumer's safety. Five closely related Salvia species (S. officinalis, S. miltiorrhiza, S. divinorum, S. mellifera, and S. apiana) within a same botanical family were analyzed and differentiated using LC-QToF. Accurate mass measurement (<5 ppm) of protonated and deprotonated molecules together with resulting fragments and product ions allowed unequivocal or tentative identification of more than 180 compounds either by comparison with reference standards or literature data. The leaf part were identified based on various phenolic acids, flavonoids as well as di- and tri-terpenoids. Polyphenolics, viz., salvianolic A/B and rosmarinic acids in S. officinalis, lipophilic diterpenoids, viz., tanshinones in S. miltiorrhiza, abietatriene diterpenes and triterpenoids (ursane-/olean-type) in S. mellifera, and S. apiana were identified as characteristic, significant components. In comparison, salvinorins and divinorins representing a class of neoclerodane diterpenoids were detected only in S. divinorum. The presented methodology can successfully be applied to qualitatively assess sage-based ingredients in various finished products and formulations.

A Comprehensive Workflow for the Analysis of Bio-Macromolecular Supplements: Case Study of 20 Whey Protein Products.

The presence of bio-macromolecules as major ingredients is a primary factor in marketing many biologically derived macromolecular supplements. Workflows for analyzing these supplements for quality assurance, adulteration, and other supply-chain difficulties must include a qualitative assessment of small-molecule and macromolecular components; however, no such integrated protocol has been reported for these bio-macromolecular supplements. Twenty whey protein supplements were analyzed using an integrated workflow to identify protein content, protein adulteration, inorganic elemental content, and macromolecular and small-molecule profiles. Orthogonal analytical methods were employed, including NMR profiling, LC-DAD-QToF analysis of small-molecule components, ICP-MS analysis of inorganic elements, determination of total protein content by a Bradford assay, SDS-PAGE protein profiling, and bottom-up shotgun proteomic analysis using LC-MS-MS. All 20 supplements showed a reduced protein content compared to the claimed content but no evidence of adulteration with protein from an unclaimed source. Many supplements included unlabeled small-molecule additives (but nontoxic) and significant deviations in metal content, highlighting the importance of both macromolecular and small-molecule analysis in the comprehensive profiling of macromolecular supplements. An orthogonal, integrated workflow allowed the detection of crucial product characteristics that would have remained unidentified using traditional workflows involving either analysis of small-molecule nutritional supplements or protein analysis.

Chemical Profiling and Characterization of Anthraquinones from Two Bulbine Species and Dietary Supplements Using Liquid Chromatography-High Resolution Mass Spectrometry.

BACKGROUND: Bulbine natalensis Baker and Bulbine frutescens (L.) Willd., belonging to the family Asphodelaceae, are widely distributed in South Africa and traditionally used as an aphrodisiac and skin remedies. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to develop an analytical method for chemical profiling and identification of components in Bulbine species, which would be useful for herbal identification and understanding of the biological activity of B. natalensis in terms of safety and benefits to human health. METHOD: The anthraquinone-type compounds were structurally characterized from the extracts of dried stem and roots of Bulbine species and dietary supplements using liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC-QToF) with negative and positive ion electrospray. The calculated accurate masses of the protonated and deprotonated molecules and fragment ions were used for identification of the components from two Bulbine species. RESULTS: A total of 55 anthraquinone-type compounds, including 11 standard compounds, were identified in the crude extracts of two Bulbine species. Two Bulbine species and dietary supplements were clustered into different groups and possible chemical markers were identified. CONCLUSIONS: The developed analytical method provided a fast and economic method for quality assessment of Bulbine species in dietary supplements based on anthraquinone-type compounds. HIGHLIGHTS: This study reports holistic chemical profiling of Bulbine species using LC-QToF. The developed analytical method enabled non-targeted analysis of components in B. natalensis and B. frutescens, and is recommended for commercial and regulatory purposes.

Quantitative determination and characterization of polyphenols from Cissus quadrangularis L. and dietary supplements using UHPLC-PDA-MS, LC-QToF and HPTLC.

Stem and leaf of Cissus quadrangularis L. (Vitaceae), indigenous to Asia and Africa, were used for medicinal and dietary purposes with limited information about the plant's phytochemistry. Stem and leaf samples were assessed for the simultaneous determination of polyphenolic compounds (catechin, epicatechin, quercetin-3-O-ß-glucopyranoside, kaempferol-3-O-ß-glucoside, quercetin-3-O-ß-rhamnoside, leachianol F, amurensin A, pallidol, resveratrol, and quadrangularin A), using UHPLC-PDA-MS. The validation data showed that the method is precise, specific, accurate, and linear over the range of 0.5-100 µg/mL. Reversed-phase ultra-high performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) fingerprints of the crude methanolic stem and leaf extracts of C. quadrangularis were obtained at different wavelengths based on their λmax. Polyphenolics were characterized using both UHPLC-PDA-MS and LC-QToF analysis. From liquid chromatography quadrupole time of flight-electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (LC-QToF) spectra, over 40 components were structurally correlated, and confirmation was based on the fragmentation characteristics and also from the information available in the literature. In addition to the LC-QToF method, a simple, fast HPTLC method was developed as a visual aid for the rapid qualitative analytical tool to help establish the quality assessment of botanical raw materials and dietary supplements claiming to contain Cissus.

Protective Effect of Carotenoid Extract from Orange-Fleshed Sweet Potato on Gastric Ulcer in Mice by Inhibition of NO, IL-6 and PGE2 Production.

Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam., Convolvulaceae is widely distributed in Asian areas from tropical to warm-temperature regions. Their tubers are known for their antioxidant, anti-bacterial, anti-diabetic, wound healing, anti-inflammatory, and anti-ulcer activities. The preventive and therapeutic effects of orange-fleshed sweet potato on gastric ulcers have not been investigated. In this study, the carotenoid extract (CE) of orange-fleshed sweet potato was found to protect against gastric ulcers induced by HCl/ethanol in mice. The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities of the carotenoid pigment extract were also evaluated as possible evidence of their protective effects. Administration of CE reduced gastric ulcers. Oral administration of CE (100 mg/kg) protected against gastric ulcers by 78.1%, similar to the positive control, sucralfate (77.5%). CE showed potent reducing power and decreased nitric oxide production in a mouse macrophage cell line, RAW 264.7, in a concentration-dependent manner. The production of the inflammatory cytokine interleukin-6 and prostaglandin E2 was also reduced by CE in a dose-dependent manner. The high carotenoid content of orange-fleshed sweet potato could play a role in its protective effect against gastric ulcers. This result suggests the possibility of developing functional products using this nutrient-fortified material.

Dibenzocyclooctadiene Lignans in Plant Parts and Fermented Beverages of Schisandra chinensis.

The fruit of Schisandra chinensis, Omija, is a well-known traditional medicine used as an anti-tussive and anti-diarrhea agent, with various biological activities derived from the dibenzocyclooctadiene-type lignans. A high-pressure liquid chromatography-diode array detector (HPLC-DAD) method was used to determine seven lignans (schisandrol A and B, tigloylgomisin H, angeloylgomisin H, schisandrin A, B, and C) in the different plant parts and beverages of the fruit of S. chinensis grown in Korea. The contents of these lignans in the plant parts descended in the following order: seeds, flowers, leaves, pulp, and stems. The total lignan content in Omija beverages fermented with white sugar for 12 months increased by 2.6-fold. Omija was fermented for 12 months with white sugar, brown sugar, and oligosaccharide/white sugar (1:1, w/w). The total lignan content in Omija fermented with oligosaccharide/white sugar was approximately 1.2- and 1.7-fold higher than those fermented with white sugar and brown sugar, respectively. A drink prepared by immersion of the fruit in alcohol had a higher total lignan content than these fermented beverages. This is the first report documenting the quantitative changes in dibenzocyclooctadiene-type lignans over a fermentation period and the effects of the fermentable sugars on this eco-friendly fermentation process.

Modulation of CYP3A4 and CYP2C9 activity by Bulbine natalensis and its constituents: An assessment of HDI risk of B. natalensis containing supplements.

BACKGROUND: Bulbine natalensis is an African-folk medicinal plant used as a dietary supplement for enhancing sexual function and muscle strength in males by presumably boosting testosterone levels, but no scientific information is available about the possible herb-drug interaction (HDI) risk when bulbine-containing supplements are concomitantly taken with prescription drugs. PURPOSE: This study was aimed to investigate the HDI potential of B. natalensis in terms of the pregnane X receptor (PXR)-mediated induction of major drug-metabolizing cytochrome P450 enzyme isoforms (i.e., CYP3A4 and CYP2C9) as well as inhibition of their catalytic activity. RESULTS: We found that a methanolic extract of B. natalensis activated PXR (EC50 6.2 ± 0.6 µg/ml) in HepG2 cells resulting in increased mRNA expression of CYP3A4 (2.40 ± 0.01 fold) and CYP2C9 (3.37 ± 0.3 fold) at 30 µg/ml which was reflected in increased activites of the two enzymes. Among the constituents of B. natalensis, knipholone was the most potent PXR activator (EC50 0.3 ± 0.1 µM) followed by bulbine-knipholone (EC50 2.0 ± 0.5 µM), and 6'-methylknipholone (EC50 4.0 ± 0.5 µM). Knipholone was also the most effective in increasing the expression of CYP3A4 (8.47 ± 2.5 fold) and CYP2C9 (2.64 ± 0.3 fold) at 10 µM. Docking studies further confirmed the unique structural features associated with knipholones for their superior inductive potentials in the activation of PXR compared to other anthraquinones. In a CYP inhibition assay, the methanolic extract as well as the anthraquinones strongly inhibited the catalytic activity of CYP2C9 while, inhibition of CYP3A4 was weak. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that consumption of B. natalensis may pose a potential risk for HDI if taken with conventional medications that are substrates of CYP3A4 and CYP2C9 and may contribute to unanticipated adverse reactions or therapeutic failures. Further studies are warranted to validate these findings and establish their clinical relevancy.

Quantification and Characterization of Phenolic Compounds from Northern Indian Propolis Extracts and Dietary Supplements.

BACKGROUND: Propolis is a resinous substance produced by bees. Propolis extracts have been used for anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activities. The use of propolis dietary supplements has been increasing in the United States and the rest of the world. OBJECTIVE: A simple, economic, and valid analytical method is needed for quality assessment of dietary supplements and extracts claiming to contain propolis. METHODS: A ultra-high performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) quadropole time-of-flight-MS method was used to characterize the chemical composition of northern Indian propolis. Fourteen major phenolic compounds were quantified using a UHPLC-DAD method. An HPTLC method was used to develop chemical fingerprinting profiles for propolis extracts and dietary supplements. The seven propolis extracts and 14 dietary supplements purchased in the U.S. were analyzed using the UHPLC-DAD-QToF method. RESULTS: Fifty-seven compounds belonging to phenolic, coumarin, fatty acid, and terpene classes were identified in propolis extracts. Based on quantification results, the content of 14 phenolic compounds in propolis extracts varied from 19-32% in dietary supplements, a significant variation to the recommended daily intake (0.2-94 mg/day). CONCLUSIONS/HIGHLIGHTS: The developed analytical methods can be used for quality assessment of propolis extracts and dietary supplements.

The scoop on brain health dietary supplement products containing huperzine A.

Context: Public health concerns are emerging surrounding huperzine A commonly found in dietary supplements. We sought to determine the actual content of products claiming to contain huperzine A and whether the ingredients on the supplement facts labels matched the analyses.Methods: We identified and analyzed 22 dietary supplement products listing huperzine A on product labels. We found these products were listed in Natural Medicines and Dietary Supplement Databases and being queried by Military Service Members for enhanced mental focus, alertness and energy. Analyses were conducted by using Liquid Chromatography-Quadrupole Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry.Results: Sixteen (73%) products had at least one ingredient claimed on the supplement facts label not detected through analysis. Compounds not reported on the label were detected in 16 (73%) products analyzed. Nine products (41%) listed ingredients not meeting the regulations for being a dietary supplement ingredient according to the FDA. Ingredients of most concern detected include stimulants: demelverine, 1,5-dimethylhexylamine, 1,3-dimethylhexylamine, N-phenethyl dimethylamine, halostachine, higenamine, noopept, ß-PEA, vinpocetine, sulbutiamine; and hordenine, currently on the FDA advisory list. Quantitative analysis showed the presence of huperzine A in the range from detected under the limits of quantification (DUL) to 267.1 µg/serving. Only two supplements showed huperzine A content within 10% of the declared amount.Conclusions: In a study of dietary supplements claiming to contain huperzine A, we found products that had at least one ingredient claimed on the supplement facts label not detected through analysis. Moreover, some ingredients not on the label could be dangerous and likely do not meet the definition of a dietary supplement ingredient according to the FDA. Quantitative analysis of huperzine A showed the amount detected was not in line with what appeared on the product label. Consumers should be aware of deceptive label claims and warned not to purchase products containing potentially dangerous ingredients.