Chemical profiling by LC-MS/MS and HPLC fingerprint combined with chemometrics and simultaneous determination of 16 characteristic ingredients for the quality consistency evaluation of Shaoyao-Gancao Decoction

Siwu decoction suppress myeloid-derived suppressor cells through tumour cells necroptosis to inhibit hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) acquired resistance to anti-cancer agents due to the presence of immunosuppressive tumour microenvironment (TME) established by the interaction between tumour cells and immune populations. New treatment targeting the interaction is urgently needed and clinically beneficial to patients with HCC. This study aims to explore the anti-tumour effect of a Traditional Chinese Medicine formula Siwu Decoction (SWD) and its potential mechanism.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The chemical profile of SWD was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. In vitro and in vivo effects of SWD in regressing HCC were assessed. The role of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) in mediating SWD-induced HCC inhibition was determined by adoptive transfer assay. The regulation of SWD-induced interaction between HCC cells and MDSCs was also confirmed both in vitro and in vivo.

RESULTS

SWD dose-dependent inhibited the HCC growth and lung metastasis in an orthotopic growth tumour in mice, without significant toxicity and adverse side effect. SWD induced necroptosis in HCC cells, but did not directly inhibit in vitro culture of MDSCs, instead, SWD-treated HCC cell culture supernatant suppressed MDSCs by inducing its cell apoptosis. The necroptotic response of HCC cells can also suppress the MDSCs population in the TME without reducing circulating MDSCs infiltration into the tumours. Adoptive transfer of MDSCs recovered tumour growth and lung metastasis of HCC in SWD-treated mice. In HCC cells, SWD induced a necroptotic response, and blockade of necroptotic response in HCC cells recovered the MDSCs population in vitro and in vivo, and restored tumour growth and lung metastasis in SWD-treated mice. A combination of SWD improves the anti-HCC efficacy of sorafenib without inducing adverse side effects. Albiflorin, the effective compound of SWD, its anti-HCC manner has been verified to be consistent with that of SWD.

CONCLUSION

Our study observed for the first time that SWD can suppress HCC by regulating MDSCs through necroptosis of tumour cells in the TME. The main effective compound of SWD, albiflorin can be a potential adjuvant therapy in the clinical management of human HCC.

Quality consistency evaluation of chemical composition and pharmacology of Shaoyao-Gancao decoction dispensing granules and traditional decoction

Dispensing granules of Chinese medicine (DGCM) have emerged as a more convenient alternative to traditional decoction (TD) of Chinese medicine, gaining popularity in recent years. However, the debate surrounding the consistency of DGCM compared to TD remains unresolved. In this study, three batches of Baishao and Gancao DGCM were obtained from manufacturers A, B, and C, and 15 batches of crude drugs were procured from hospital pharmacies for the preparation of dispensing granule decoction (DGD) and TD of Shaoyao-Gancao decoction (SGD). The HPLC-UV method was employed to determine the levels of gallic acid, paeoniflorin, albiflorin, liquiritin, liquiritin apioside, isoliquiritin apioside, isoliquiritin, glycyrrhizic acid, and isoliquiritigenin. The analgesic and antispasmodic effects were assessed using the hot plate and acetic acid writhing test in mice. To evaluate the consistency of chemical constituents and pharmacological effects between the two decoctions, the Criteria Importance Though Intercriteria Correlation (CRITIC) method combined with chemometrics was employed. Grey relation analysis (GRA) was used to assess the comprehensive quality consistency of the two decoctions. The CRITIC results revealed certain differences in chemical constituents and pharmacological effects between the selected DGCM and TD. Notably, DGD-A/C exhibited a significant difference from TD (p > 0.05), whereas DGD-B demonstrated no significant difference from TD (p > 0.05). The GRA analysis demonstrated that the overall quality consistency between DGD-B and TD was the highest among the three manufacturers. This study presents a method for evaluating the quality consistency of DGCM and TD of SGD, offering novel insights into the evaluation of consistency between DGCM and TD.

Rapid identification, quantitation, and antioxidant activity evaluation of the components in Guanxin Shutong capsule with liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry

Guanxin Shutong capsule (GSC) is a traditional Chinese medicinal prescription used in the treatment of coronary heart disease (CHD) and angina pectoris in clinic. However, the chemical profile of GSC is still uncovered, which hindered the progress of pharmacological study and clinical application. Herein, high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) together with high resolution mass spectrometry (HR-MS) techniques were employed to analyze the quality consistency and to identify chemical components in GSC. As a result, a total of 111 compounds were tentatively annotated. Quantitative analysis based on HPLC-ultraviolet detection (UV) was performed for 6 main components and fingerprints of 10 different batches of GSC were established. The developed method was validated for linearity, precision, repeatability, stability, and recovery. The quality evaluation and similarity analysis of the 10 batches were also performed. Furthermore, in vitro antioxidant activity assays demonstrated that GSC exhibited potential DPPH and hydroxyl radical scavenging capacities. Especially, salvianolic acids showed the strongest free radical scavenging capacities, which might be the main component for quality control of GSC.

Phytochemical Analysis Using UPLC-MS/MS Combined with Network Pharmacology Methods to Explore the Biomarkers for the Quality Control of Lingguizhugan Decoction

As a classic TCM prescription, LGZG has been widely used in clinical prevention and treatment of heart failure, nonalcoholic fatty liver, and hyperlipidemia. However, there are few studies on chemical components in recent years, and the basis of quality evaluation is not sufficient. This study was to find the active ingredients of the Lingguizhugan decoction using UPLC-MS/MS and network pharmacology. By comparing the retention time and MS dates of the reference and self-building database, the cleavage rules of chemical composition whose mass errors are less than 1 ppm(FL less than 3 ppm) are analyzed. On this basis, a network pharmacology method was used to find biomarkers for quantitative analysis. The results show that 149 compounds were preliminaries identified or inferred, including 63 flavonoids, 30 triterpenes, 22 phenylpropanoids, 13 organic acids, 6 lactones, 5 alkaloids, 4 anthraquinones, and 6 other compounds. According to the network pharmacology results, 20 chemical constituents were selected as the biomarkers, which were determined simultaneously for the first time, including poricoic acid A, poricoic acid B, glycyrrhizic acid, glycyrrhetinic acid, liquiritin, isoliquiritin, liquiritigenin, isoliquiritin apioside, cinnamic acid, caffeic acid, neochlorogenic acid, chlorogenic acid, cryptochlorogenic acid, isochlorogenic acid A, B, and C, atractylenolide I, II, and III, and coumarin. The methodological results show that the linearity, stability, precision, repeatability, and recovery of the method are satisfactory. Therefore, a comprehensive quality assessment system for LGZG was established on the basis of a systematic study of chemical substances and network pharmacology, which provided an important reference for the foundation of pharmacological action and its mechanics.

A novel and comprehensive strategy for quality control in complex Chinese medicine formula using UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap HRMS and UHPLC-MS/MS combined with network pharmacology analysis: Take Tangshen formula as an example

The quality control of Chinese herbal medicines (CHM) is a key concern on the modernization and globalization. However, it is still a difficult task due to its multi-component, multi-target, multi-pathways. This study aims to provide a novel and comprehensive strategy for quality control in complex Chinese medicines (CHM) formulas by UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap HRMS and UHPLC-MS/MS combined with network pharmacology analysis. Tangshen formula (TSF) was used as an example for complex CHM formulas. The UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap HRMS was firstly applied to identify or tentatively assign 85 compounds in TSF. Subsequently, key active compounds for TSF treating diabetic nephropathy (DN) were chose by chemical-target-pathways network in network pharmacology. The results showed that 13 key bioactive compounds against DN including naringin, daidzein, genistein, formononetin, chlorogenic acid, aloe-emodin, nobiletin, tangeritin, ginsenoside Rg1, hesperetin, hesperidin, rhein, and limonin with three high topological features in chemical-target-pathways network were selected as Q-markers for quality control of TSF. Finally, the UHPLC-MS/MS was performed to simultaneously determine the concentrations of 13 Q-markers. And their concentrations were ranged from 11.57 to 3 788 µg·g^-1. It suggested that many key bioactive compounds not only have high contents but also have wide range contents for the quality of complex CHM formulas. This study should be helpful to guide the selection of the Q-markers and provide new strategy for quality control of complex CHM formulas.

Qualitative and quantitative analysis of chemical components in Eupatorium lindleyanum DC. by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry integrated with anti-inflammatory activity research

As a traditional Chinese medicine, Eupatorium lindleyanum DC. has an effect on resolving phlegm, relieving cough, and relieving asthma. In this study, an ultra high performance liquid chromatography with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry method was established for qualitative analysis of Eupatorium lindleyanum. Besides, we developed an ultra high performance liquid chromatography with triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry method in positive and negative multiple reaction monitor modes for the quantitative analysis of 27 chemical constituents from 19 different batches of Eupatorium lindleyanum. The methodology validated linearity, intraday and interday precision, stability, repeatability, and recovery. The results showed that there were some differences in different batches of Eupatorium lindleyanum, which might be attributed to the influence of different growth environments and climatic conditions on the accumulation of compounds. The variable importance of projection value of orthogonal partial least square discriminant analysis and anti-inflammatory activity test showed that eupalinolide A, B, C, and K have high content and strong activity, which could provide a reference for the follow-up study of the quality markers of Eupatorium lindleyanum. Collectively, we developed a rapid and efficient method for the qualitative analysis and simultaneous quantification of Eupatorium lindleyanum, which was beneficial for the comprehensive utilization and development of resources.

Formulated Chinese medicine Shaoyao Gancao Tang reduces NLRP1 and NLRP3 in Alzheimer's disease cell and mouse models for neuroprotection and cognitive improvement

Amyloid β (Aβ) plays a major role in the neurodegeneration of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The accumulation of misfolded Aβ causes oxidative stress and inflammatory damage leading to apoptotic cell death. Traditional Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) has been widely used in treating neurodegenerative diseases by reducing oxidative stress and neuroinflammation. We examined the neuroprotective effect of formulated CHM Shaoyao Gancao Tang (SG-Tang, made of Paeonia lactiflora and Glycyrrhiza uralensis at 1:1 ratio) in AD cell and mouse models. In Aβ-GFP SH-SY5Y cells, SG-Tang reduced Aβ aggregation and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, as well as improved neurite outgrowth. When the Aβ-GFP-expressing cells were stimulated with conditioned medium from interferon (IFN)-γ-activated HMC3 microglia, SG-Tang suppressed expressions of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), NLR family pyrin domain containing 1 (NLRP1) and 3 (NLRP3), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-6, attenuated caspase-1 activity and ROS production, and promoted neurite outgrowth. In streptozocin-induced hyperglycemic APP/PS1/Tau triple transgenic (3×Tg-AD) mice, SG-Tang also reduced expressions of NLRP1, NLRP3, Aβ and Tau in hippocampus and cortex, as well as improved working and spatial memories in Y maze and Morris water maze. Collectively, our results demonstrate the potential of SG-Tang in treating AD by moderating neuroinflammation.

A strategy for practical authentication of medicinal plants in traditional Chinese medicine prescription, paeony root in ShaoYao-GanCao decoction as a case study

Authentication of Chinese medicine materials in prescriptions is extremely difficult due to the complicated chemical matrix. A strategy integrating in-depth profiling, chemical marker selection, and selected detection was established and exemplarily applied to authenticate paeony root in ShaoYao-GanCao decoction. First, an ultra-performance liquid chromatography/linear trap quadrupole-Orbitrap method was developed to probe the chemical compositions of the decoction. Second, 20 batches of decoctions prepared from white paeony root and red paeony root were compared by a metabolomics method, and multistep chemometrics analysis distinguished the chemical markers. Third, an ultra-performance liquid chromatography/QDa-selected ion monitoring method was developed to authenticate the paeony root in decoctions. As a result, 161 compounds were characterized, including 84 triterpene saponins, 42 flavonoids, and 10 monoterpenes. Four chemical markers and paeoniflorin were successfully screened out as chemical markers for white paeony root. The selected ion monitoring method easily differentiated authentic decoction (prepared from white paeony root) from fraud decoction (prepared from red paeony root) by monitoring the above five chemical markers. In conclusion, the strategy was proved effective in authentication of paeony root in ShaoYao-GanCao decoction, and it can also be applied to authenticate other Chinese medicine materials in prescriptions, which will greatly avail the quality enhancement of prescriptions.

A strategy for intelligent chemical profiling-guided precise quantitation of multi-components in traditional Chinese medicine formulae-QiangHuoShengShi decoction

Due to the tremendous clinical value, more and more Traditional Chinese Medicines (TCMs) and their formulae are attracted by world's attention. QiangHuoShengShi (QHSS) decoction is one of classic TCM formulae, which is clinically used for treating various rheumatic diseases. However, the phytochemical constituents of QHSS have rarely been reported. A simple, intelligent, and comprehensive strategy was developed to characterize the phytochemical-fingerprint and quantify the chemical-markers for precise quality evaluation of QHSS. Firstly, a new deep-learning assisted mass defect filter (MDF) method was built for rapid and accurate classification of mass spectrum (MS) ions acquired by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography quadrupole time of flight tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-Q-TOF/MS). Subsequently, herb species-specific chemical-category and characteristic identification were used for further characterization of multi-components. As the result, seven major types of compounds in QHSS were intelligently differentiated and 183 phytochemical compounds were tentatively identified. Finally, a sensitive scheduled multiple reaction monitoring (sMRM) detection method was applied to precisely quantify 37 target analytes in QHSS decoction. This integrated strategy would provide an alternative method for chemical-material basis study of more herbal medicine or natural products.

Recent advances of novel technologies for quality consistency assessment of natural herbal medicines and preparations

Quality consistency is one of the basic attributes of medicines, but it is also a difficult problem that natural medicines and their preparations must face. The complex chemical composition and comprehensive pharmacological action of natural medicines make it difficult to simply apply the commonly used evaluation methods in chemical drugs. It is thus urgent to explore the novel evaluation methods suitable for the characteristics of natural medicines. With the rapid development of analytical techniques and the deepening understanding of the quality of natural herbs, increasing numbers of researchers have proposed many new ideas and technologies. This review mainly focuses on the basic principles, technical characteristics and application examples of the chemical evaluation, biological evaluation methods and their combination in quality consistency evaluation of natural herbs. On the bases of chemical evaluation and clinical efficacy, new methods reflecting their pharmacodynamic mechanism and safety characteristics will be developed, and gradually towards accurate quality control, to achieve the goal of quality consistency. We hope that this manuscript can provide new ideas and technical references for the quality consistency of natural drugs and their preparations, thus better guarantee their clinical efficacy and safety, and better promote industrial development.