Influence of different processing times on the quality of Polygoni Multiflora Radix by metabolomics based on ultra high performance liquid chromatography with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry

Comparative analysis and evaluation of wild and cultivated Radix Fici Simplicissimae using an UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap mass spectrometry-based metabolomics approach

Radix Fici Simplicissimae (RFS) is widely studied, and is in demand for its value in medicines and food products, with increased scientific focus on its cultivation and breeding. We used ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography quadrupole-orbitrap mass spectrometry-based metabolomics to elucidate the similarities and differences in phytochemical compositions of wild Radix Fici Simplicissimae (WRFS) and cultivated Radix Fici Simplicissimae (CRFS). Untargeted metabolomic analysis was performed with multivariate statistical analysis and heat maps to identify the differences. Eighty one compounds were identified from WRFS and CRFS samples. Principal component analysis and orthogonal partial least squares discrimination analysis indicated that mass spectrometry could effectively distinguish WRFS from CRFS. Among these, 17 potential biomarkers with high metabolic contents could distinguish between the two varieties, including seven phenylpropanoids, three flavonoids, one flavonol, one alkaloid, one glycoside, and four organic acids. Notably, psoralen, apigenin, and bergapten, essential metabolites that play a substantial pharmacological role in RFS, are upregulated in WRFS. WRFS and CRFS are rich in phytochemicals and are similar in terms of the compounds they contain. These findings highlight the effects of different growth environments and drug varieties on secondary metabolite compositions and provide support for targeted breeding for improved CRFS varieties.

Phytochemical analysis and hepatotoxicity assessment of braised Polygoni Multiflori Radix (Wen-He-Shou-Wu)

Polygoni Multiflori Radix (PMR) is a medicinal herb commonly used in China and Eastern Asia. Recently, the discovery of hepatotoxicity in PMR has received considerable attention from scientists. Processing is a traditional Chinese medicine technique used for the effective reduction of toxicity. One uncommon technique is the braising method-also known as 'Wen-Fa' in Chinese-which is used to prepare tonics or poisonous medications. Braised PMR (BPMR)-also known as 'Wen-He-Shou-Wu'-is one of the processed products of the braising method. However, the non-volatile components of BPMR have not been identified and examined in detail, and therefore, the hepatotoxic advantage of BPMR remains unknown. In this study, we compared the microscopic characteristics of different samples in powder form using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), investigated the non-volatile components, assessed the effects of different processed PMR products on the liver, and compared the differences between BPMR and PMR Praeparata recorded in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia (2020 edition). We found that the hepatotoxicity of BPMR was dramatically decreased, which may be related to an increase in polysaccharide content and a decrease in toxic substances. The present study provides an important foundation for future investigations of the processing mechanisms of BPMR.

Analysis of Flavonoid Metabolites in Citrus reticulata 'Chachi' at Different Collection Stages Using UPLC-ESI-MS/MS

Flavonoids are essential substances with antioxidant properties and high medicinal value. Citrus reticulata 'Chachi' peel (CRCP) is rich in flavonoids and has numerous health benefits. The different maturity periods of CRCP can affect the flavonoid contents and pharmacological effects. In this study, we successfully performed UPLC-ESI-MS/MS-based metabolic analysis to compare the metabolites of CRCP at different harvesting periods (Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, and Dec) using a systematic approach. The results revealed the identification of a total of 168 flavonoid metabolites, including 61 flavones, 54 flavonols, 14 flavone C-glycosides, 14 dihydroflavones, 9 flavanones, 8 isoflavones, 3 flavanols, 3 dihydroflavonols, and 2 chalcones. Clustering analysis and PCA were used to separate the CRCP samples collected at different stages. Furthermore, from July to December, the relative contents of isoflavones, dihydroflavones, and dihydroflavonols gradually increased and flavanols gradually decreased over time. The relative content of flavonoid C-glycosides showed an increasing and then decreasing trend, reaching the highest value in August. This study contributes to a better understanding of flavonoid metabolites in CRCP at different harvesting stages and informs their potential future utilization.

Comprehensive Quality Evaluation of Polygonatum cyrtonema and Its Processed Product: Chemical Fingerprinting, Determination and Bioactivity

Processing of Chinese herbal medicines (CHMs) is a traditional pharmaceutical technology in Chinese medicine. Traditionally, proper processing of CHMs is necessary to meet the specific clinical requirements of different syndromes. Processing with black bean juice is considered one of the most important techniques in traditional Chinese pharmaceutical technology. Despite the long-standing practice of processing Polygonatum cyrtonema Hua (PCH), there is little research on the changes in chemical constituents and bioactivity before and after processing. This study investigated the influence of black bean juice processing on the chemical composition and bioactivity of PCH. The results revealed significant changes in both composition and contents during processing. Saccharide and saponin content significantly increased after processing. Moreover, the processed samples exhibited considerably stronger DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging capacity, as well as FRAP-reducing capacity, compared to the raw samples. The IC₅₀ values for DPPH were 1.0 ± 0.12 mg/mL and 0.65 ± 0.10 mg/mL for the raw and processed samples, respectively. For ABTS, the IC₅₀ values were 0.65 ± 0.07 mg/mL and 0.25 ± 0.04 mg/mL, respectively. Additionally, the processed sample demonstrated significantly higher inhibitory activity against α-glucosidase and α-amylase (IC₅₀ = 1.29 ± 0.12 mg/mL and 0.48 ± 0.04 mg/mL) compared to the raw sample (IC₅₀ = 5.58 ± 0.22 mg/mL and 0.80 ± 0.09 mg/mL). These findings underscore the significance of black bean processing in enhancing the properties of PCH and lay the foundation for its further development as a functional food. The study elucidates the role of black bean processing in PCH and offers valuable insights for its application.

Screening of metabolic markers present in Oxytropis by UHPLC-Q-TOF/MS and preliminary pharmacophylogenetic investigation

Plants belonging to the Oxytropis genus, family Leguminosae, are found throughout the world, with about 80 species mainly distributed in northwest and northeast China. The plants have medicinal properties and many plants have been used as folk medicine for the treatment of colds, inflammation of carbuncle swelling, pain, and different types of bleeding. In recent years, due to the reduced availability of wild resources and increased clinical demand, additional Oxytropis species have been used in Mongolian medicine. This study explored the medicinal potential of four Oxytropis species, investigating their phylogeny, chemical components, and pharmacological activities. Oxytropis myriophylla (Pall) DC., Oxytropis hirta Bunge, and Oxytropis bicolor Bge. were found to be closely related at the taxonomic level. While previous investigations on the bioactive constituents of Oxytropis have been limited and have concentrated largely on flavonoids and saponins, the present study established a novel UHPLC-Q-TOF/MS based on metabolite profiling to comprehensively analyze the chemical composition of the four Oxytropis species and to identify marker compounds. A total of 75 compounds were identified from the four species, with 23 identified as characteristic marker components. Twenty-six marker compounds were identified in O. myriophylla from different geographical regions. Analysis of pharmacological activity showed that extracts of O. myriophylla and O. hirta had stronger anti-inflammatory activity than the extracts from the other species. The relationships between the chemical components, traditional curative uses, and pharmacological activities were analyzed to provide a preliminary documentation of the pharmacophylogenetic characteristics of the Oxytropis family as a whole. Several marker compounds, including licoricesaponin G2, licoricesaponin J2, and glycyrrhizic acid found in O. hirta were found to have effective anti-inflammatory activity, consistent with the traditional application of reducing swelling and healing wounds. This preliminary investigation into the pharmacophylogeny of the genus Oxytropis will contribute to the conservation and exploitation of the medicinal resources of this genus.

Research on Processing-Induced Chemical Variations in Polygonatum Cyrtonema Rhizome by Integrating Metabolomics and Glycomics

Polygonatum cyrtonema rhizome (PCR), the dried sweet rhizome of Polygonatum cyrtonema Hua, is commonly used as a tonic remedy and a functional food in Asia, Europe, and North America. Multiple components, including secondary metabolites, monosaccharides, oligosaccharides, and polysaccharides, collectively contribute to the therapeutic effects of PCR. Processing time exerts a significant influence on the quality of PCR, but the various processing stages have not been comprehensively chemically profiled. It is urgent to study processing-induced chemical variations in PCR to control the processing degree. In this study, multiple chromatographic and mass spectrometric techniques were used in combination with multivariate statistical analysis to perform qualitative and quantitative research on secondary metabolites and carbohydrates in PCR during processing. The results demonstrated that PCR processing can be divided into three stages, namely the raw stage (0 h), the middle stage (1–6 h), and the late stage (8–18 h). Twenty differential compounds were screened from secondary metabolites and oligosaccharides to distinguish PCR in different processing stages. Furthermore, the chemical variations of Polygonatum cyrtonema polysaccharides (PCP) also entered a new stage after processing for 6 h. Multiple chemical mechanisms, including hydrolysis, oxidative decomposition, dehydration, Maillard reaction, and polymerization were involved in the processing. This work provides a scientific basis to reveal the relationship between processing stage and chemical variations.

Advances in Understanding the Metabolites and Metabolomics of Polygonum multiflorum Thunb: A Mini-review

BACKGROUND

The roots of Polygonum multiflorum (PM) are a well-known traditional Chinese medicine, widely used to treat a variety of conditions in Southeast Asia, South Korea, Japan and other countries. It is known that Polygoni Multiflori Radix Praeparata (PMRP) may enhance the efficacy and reduce the toxicity of PM. However, reports of adverse reactions, such as hepatotoxicity, caused by PM or PMRP, have continuously appeared around the world, which increased the known risks of the medication and gradually gained the extensive attention of many researchers. The chemical constituents of PM that cause hepatotoxicity have not been distinctly elucidated using the traditional phytochemical screening. Recently, with the rapid development of metabolomics, there has been a growing need to explore the potential hepatotoxic components and mechanisms of PM.

METHODS

The metabolites and metabolomics of PM were searched by the Web of Science, PubMed, Google scholar and some Chinese literature databases.

RESULTS

A brief description of metabolites and metabolomics of PM is followed by a discussion on the metabolite- induced toxicity in this review. More than 100 metabolites were tentatively identified and this will contribute to further understanding of the potential hepatotoxic components of PM. Meanwhile, some toxic compounds were identified and could be used as potential toxic markers of PM.

CONCLUSION

This review mainly outlines the metabolites and metabolomics of PM that have been identified in recent years. This study could help to clarify the potential hepatotoxic components and metabolic mechanisms of PM and provide a scientific reference for its safe clinical use in the future.

Rapid Discovery of the Potential Toxic Compounds in Polygonum multiflorum by UHPLC/Q-Orbitrap-MS-Based Metabolomics and Correlation Analysis

The dry roots of Polygonum multiflorum (PM), involving both the raw and processed materials, are widely used as the traditional Chinese medicine for treating various diseases in China. Hepatotoxicity has been occasionally reported in patients who consume PM. Unfortunately, no definite criteria are currently available regarding the processing technology of PM for reduction the toxicity. In this work, we aimed to investigate the variations of PM metabolite profiles induced by different processing technologies by UHPLC/Q-Orbitrap-MS and multivariate statistical analysis, and to discover the potential toxic compounds by correlating the cytotoxicity of L02 cell with the contents of metabolites in raw and processed PM samples. We could identify two potential toxic compounds, emodin-8-O-glucoside and torachrysone-O-hexose, which could be selected as the toxic markers to evaluate different processing methods. The results indicated all processed PM samples could decrease the cytotoxicity on L02 cell. The best processing technology for PM process was to steam PM in black soybean decoction (BD-PM) for 24 h.

Metabolomic analysis of raw Pinelliae Rhizoma and its alum-processed products via UPLC-MS and their cytotoxicity

Alum-processing is a traditional method to attenuate the toxicity of Pinelliae Rhizoma (tubers of Pinellia ternate, PT). The present study aimed at investigating the chemical and cytotoxic changes during alum processing. Metabolomic profiles of raw and alum-processed PT were studied based on ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with Orbitrap mass spectrometry. More than 80 chemicals in positive MS mode and 40 chemicals in negative MS mode, such as organic acids, amino acids, glucosides and nucleosides, were identified after multivariate statistical analysis, including principal component analysis and orthogonal partial least-square discriminant analysis. Almost all of the identified chemical markers were significantly decreased ~10- to 100-fold after alum processing. Meanwhile, the correlations between the chemical markers were assimilated to a positive coefficient from disorderly distribution during the processing. Raw PT extracts could inhibit the proliferation of human carcinoma cells (HCT-116, HepG2, and A549) at the rate of 40.5, 24.8 and 31.6% more strongly than processed PT. It was concluded that the alum processing of PT could decrease the number of actively water-soluble principles at the same time as decreasing toxicity. Given the water-insoluble property of toxic calcium oxalate raphides in PT, we suggest that a more scientific processing method should be sought.

Integrating Targeted and Untargeted Metabolomics to Investigate the Processing Chemistry of Polygoni Multiflori Radix

Polygoni Multiflori Radix (PMR, Heshouwu in Chinese), derived from the tuberous roots of Polygonum multiflorum Thunb., is a widely-used Chinese medicinal material. For traditional clinical use, raw PMR (RPMR) is processed by nine cycles of steaming and drying to generate processed PMR (PPMR); RPMR and PPMR have distinct medicinal purposes based on the theory of traditional Chinese medicine. While PMR has been processed for hundreds of years, including the present, the chemistry of that processing has not been well studied. In this study, targeted and untargeted metabolomics analyses using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole/time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-QTOF-MS/MS) and ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole/triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (UPLC-QqQ-MS/MS) were integrated to investigate the processing chemistry of PMR. The results demonstrate that processing by nine cycles of steaming and drying qualitatively and quantitatively alters the chemical profile of PMR. Several mechanisms, namely hydrolysis, dehydration, isomerization, and Maillard reaction appear to be involved in the chemical transformation that occurs. The qualitative and quantitative data further suggest that nine cycles might be necessary for the preparation of PPMR, as PPMR that has been processed nine times shows significant differences in its chemical profile.

Screening of Combinatorial Quality Markers for Natural Products by Metabolomics Coupled With Chemometrics. A Case Study on Pollen Typhae

Natural products, especially for traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs), are of great importance to cure diseases. Yet it was hard to screen the influential quality markers for monitoring the quality. A simple and comprehensive strategy was developed and validated to screen for the combinatorial quality markers for precise quality evaluation and discrimination of natural products. In this study, Pollen Typhae (PT) and it's processed products carbonized PT were selected as the representative case. Firstly, metabolomics data of 49 batches crude PT and carbonized PT was obtained by ultra high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC-Q-TOF/MS). Then, metabolomics approaches were performed to screen for the potential markers that lead to the quality difference. Finally, chemometric methods were used to validate the accuracy of combinatorial quality markers. Thus, 42 compounds were identified from PT, 5 markers (isorhamnetin-3-O-(2G-α-L-rhamnosyl)-rutinoside, isorhamnetin-3-O-neohesperidoside, astragalin, kaempferol and umbelliferone) were successfully screened, identified, quantified and regarded as combinatorial quality markers for precise quality evaluation of crude and carbonized PT. It was demonstrated that the established comprehensively strategy provide an efficient tool for precise quality evaluation of natural products from the whole.

Identification and characterization of the structure-activity relationships involved in UGT1A1 inhibition by anthraquinone and dianthrone constituents of Polygonum multiflorum

The adverse effects of Polygonum (P.) multiflorum, including abnormal bilirubin metabolism, are a serious public health issue. As uridine diphosphate (UDP)-glucuronosyltransferase 1A1 (UGT1A1) is the only enzyme responsible for bilirubin metabolism, we investigated the inhibitory effect of a P. multiflorum extract and 10 anthraquinone and dianthrone compounds on UGT1A1 in rat liver microsomes in vitro. The P. multiflorum extract exhibited the strongest inhibitory effect on UGT1A1 activity (inhibition constant [K_i] = 0.3257 μM, 1422 μg of material/mL), followed by cis-emodin dianthrones (K_i = 0.8630 μM), trans-emodin dianthrones (K_i = 1.083 μM), emodin-8-O-glc (K_i = 3.425 μM), and polygonumnolide C2 (K_i = 4.291 μM). Analysis of the structure–activity relationships of these compounds suggested that the spatial orientation of the molecules and the presence of particular functional groups affect UGT1A1 inhibition. A mechanistic analysis showed that all the tested compounds docked into two of the nine active sites of UGT1A1 and suggested that hydrophobic interactions and hydrogen bonds are important for the affinity of the tested compounds for UGT1A1; moreover, their interaction energies were generally in agreement with the K_i values. These findings provide insight into adverse reactions to P. multiflorum and identify the pharmacophores involved in inhibition of UGT1A1.