Comprehensive analysis of the compound profiles of Folium Camelliae Nitidissimae extract by ultrafast liquid chromatography with quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry and hepatoprotective effect against CCl4 -induced liver injury in mice

UPLC-Q/TOF-MS based plasma metabolomics study of hepatoprotective effect of Cuscutae semen on CCl4-induced liver injury model of rats

BACKGROUND

Hepatic disorders is a serious health problem threaten human. Cuscutae semen (CS) is a broadly used Chinese medicine as a tonic to nourish the liver and kidney.

OBJECTIVE

Our research aimed to assess the hepatoprotective effect of CS on CCl₄ -induced liver injury rats via plasma metabolomics.

METHODS

The liver injury rats were induced by 40% CCl₄ in olive oil twice a week for 21 days. The CS group received CS 2g/kg every day for 21 days. The liver tissues were used for histological studies. The serum was used for biochemical parameters analysis. Plasma metabolomic analysis were performed by ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q/TOF-MS).

RESULTS

Administration of CS could relieve hepatocyte necrosis, decrease levels of serum biochemical parameters in comparison with CCl₄ group. The principal component analysis (PCA) and orthogonal partial least-squares-discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) analyses on plasma metabolomes showed an obvious separation among the control, model and CS groups. The heatmap showed that CS-administered mice had the similar metabolite profiles as the control group. Seven influential pathways in plasma of hepatoprotective impacted by CS were identified.

CONCLUSION

This study verified the hepatoprotective effect of CS, and the related metabolic pathways were discussed.

Phytochemical constituents of Camellia osmantha fruit cores with antithrombotic activity

Camellia osmantha is a new species of the genus Camellia and is an economically important ornamental plant. Its activity and ingredients are less studied than other Camellia plants. This study investigated the antithrombotic effect and chemical components of C. osmantha fruit cores using platelet aggregation assays and coagulation function tests. The cores of C. osmantha fruits were extracted with ethanol to obtain a crude extract. The extract was dissolved in water and further eluted with different concentrations of methanol on an MCI resin column to obtain three fractions. These samples were used for antithrombotic activity tests and phytochemical analysis. The results showed that the extract and its fractions of C. osmantha have strong antithrombotic activity, significantly reducing the platelet aggregation rate and prolonging the thrombin time (TT). The total saponins, flavonoids, and polyphenols in the active fractions may be responsible for the antithrombotic activity. The chemical constituents were analyzed by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-QTOF/MS). Twenty-three compounds were identified rapidly and accurately. Among them, ellagic acid, naringenin, and quercetin 3-O-glucuronide may be important antithrombotic constituents. Furthermore, interactions between these compounds and the P2Y1 receptor were investigated via molecular modeling, because the P2Y1 receptor is a key drug target of antiplatelet aggregative activity. The molecular docking results suggested that these compounds could combine tightly with the P2Y1R protein. Our results showed that C. osmantha fruit cores are rich in polyphenols, flavonoids, and saponins, which can be developed into a promising antithrombotic functional beverage for the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases.