Advance of CE and CEC in phytochemical analysis (2012–2013)

Sensitive Quantification of Liensinine Alkaloid Using a HPLC-MS/MS Method and Its Application in Microvolume Rat Plasma

Liensinine, an important alkaloid in lotus seed, exhibits multiple functions such as anti-AIDS, anticancer, antidepressant, and antihypertensive properties. In this study, a highly sensitive HPLC-MS/MS method was developed and validated for the quantification of liensinine in microvolume rat plasma as low as 45 μL. Chromatographic separation was carried out using a reverse-phase Gemini-C18 column (100 mm × 3 mm i.d. × 5 μm), and mass selective detection using multiple reaction monitoring was attained using an electrospray ionization source, which operated in the positive mode. Dauricine was used as the internal standard. The precursor-to-product ion transition m/z 611.15 > 206.10 was selected for the detection of liensinine; m/z 625.25 > 206.10 was used for the detection of dauricine. The developed method is linear over the concentration range of 0.05-1000 ng/mL with an excellent coefficient of determination (R ² = 0.991). The recoveries ranged from 92.57% to 95.88% at three quality control levels. Intraday and interday precision and accuracy are less than 12.2% and 6.59%, respectively. The lower limit of quantification (LLOQ) is 0.05 ng/mL. The matrix effect was insignificant and acceptable. The validated method was successfully applied to the pharmacokinetic study of liensinine in rats. This method can be used for in vivo studies as well as quality control of traditional Chinese medicines and herbal tea containing liensinine alkaloid.

Exploring the Active Components of Simotang Oral Liquid and Their Potential Mechanism of Action on Gastrointestinal Disorders by Integrating Ultrahigh-Pressure Liquid Chromatography Coupled with Linear Ion Trap-Orbitrap Analysis and Network Pharmacology

Simotang oral liquid (SMT), a well-known traditional Chinese medicine formula composed of four medicinal and edible plants, has been extensively used for treating gastrointestinal disorders (GIDs) since ancient times. However, the major active constituents and the underlying molecular mechanism of SMT on GIDs are still partially understood. Herein, the preliminary chemical profile of SMT was first identified by ultrahigh-pressure liquid chromatography coupled with linear ion trap-Orbitrap tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-LTQ-Orbitrap). In total, 70 components were identified. Then, a network pharmacology approach integrating target prediction, pathway enrichment analysis, and network construction was adopted to explore the therapeutic mechanism of SMT. As a result, 170 main targets were screened out and considered as effective players in ameliorating GIDs. More importantly, the major hubs were found to be highly enriched in a calcium signaling pathway. Furthermore, 26 core SMT-related genes were identified, which may play key roles in ameliorating gastrointestinal motility. In conclusion, this work would provide valuable information for further development and clinical application of SMT.

Chemical Analysis of the Herbal Medicine Salviae miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma (Danshen)

Radix Salviae miltiorrhizae et Rhizoma, known as Danshen in China, is one of the most popular traditional Chinese medicines. Recently, there has been increasing scientific attention on Danshen for its remarkable bioactivities, such as promoting blood circulation, removing blood stasis, and clearing away heat. This review summarized the advances in chemical analysis of Danshen and its preparations since 2009. Representative established methods were reviewed, including spectroscopy, thin layer chromatography, gas chromatography, liquid chromatography (LC), liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS), capillary electrophoresis, electrochemistry, and bioanalysis. Especially the analysis of polysaccharides in Danshen was discussed for the first time. Some proposals were also put forward to benefit quality control of Danshen.

Capillary Electrophoresis of Mono- and Oligosaccharides

This chapter reports an overview of the recent advances in the analysis of mono- and oligosaccharides by capillary electrophoresis (CE); furthermore, relevant reviews and research articles recently published in the field are tabulated. Additionally, pretreatments and procedures applied to uncharged and acidic carbohydrates (i.e., monosaccharides and lower oligosaccharides carrying carboxylate, sulfate, or phosphate groups) are described.Representative examples of such procedures are reported in detail, upon describing robust methodologies for the study of (1) neutral oligosaccharides derivatized by reductive amination and by formation of glycosylamines; (2) sialic acid derivatized with 2-aminoacridone, released from human serum immunoglobulin G; (3) anomeric couples of neutral glycosides separated using borate-based buffers; (4) unsaturated, underivatized oligosaccharides from lyase-treated alginate.

Investigation of six bioactive anthraquinones in slimming tea by accelerated solvent extraction and high performance capillary electrophoresis with diode-array detection

A rapid and effective method for effective separation and rapid simultaneous determination of six bioactive anthraquinones by capillary zone electrophoresis was developed. An accelerated solvent extraction procedure was used for the extraction of anthraquinones from slimming tea. Under the optimized conditions, the effective separation of six anthraquinones was achieved within 8 min. Good linearity was achieved, with a correlation coefficient (r) of ⩾ 0.999. The limit of detection ranged from 0.33 to 1.40 μg mL(-1). The intra- and inter-day relative standard deviation (RSD) of the six analytes was in the range of 2.3-3.9% and 3.2-4.9%, respectively. The average recovery of the six analytes from real tea samples was in the range of 86.15-98.30% with the RSD of 1.04-4.99%. The developed and validated method has speediness, high sensitivity, recovery and precision, and can be applied for the quality control of slimming tea.

Cyclodextrins in capillary electrophoresis: recent developments and new trends

Despite the fact that extensive research in the field of separations by capillary electrophoresis (CE) has been carried out and many reviews have been published in the last years, a specific review on the use and future potential of cyclodextrins (CDs) in CE is not available. This review focuses the attention in the CD-CE topic over the January 2013-February 2014 period (not covered by previous more general CE-reviews). Recent contributions (reviews and research articles) including practical uses (e.g. solute-CD binding constant estimation and further potentials; 19% of publications), developments and applications (mainly chiral and achiral analysis; 38 and 24% of publications, respectively) are summarized in nine comprehensive tables and are commented. Statistics and predictions related to the CD-CE publications are highlighted in order to infer the current and expected research interests. Finally, trends and initiatives on CD-CE attending to real needs or practical criteria are outlined.