Rapid identification and global characterization of multiple constituents from the essential oil of Cortex Dictamni based on GC-MS

Exploring the Chemical Constituents and Nutritive Potential of Bee Drone (Apilarnil): Emphasis on Antioxidant Properties

A lesser-known bee product called drone brood homogenate (DBH, apilarnil) has recently attracted scientific interest for its chemical and biological properties. It contains pharmacologically active compounds that may have neuroprotective, antioxidant, fertility-enhancing, and antiviral effects. Unlike other bee products, the chemical composition of bee drone larva is poorly studied. This study analyzed the chemical compostion of apilarnil using several methods. These included liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and a combination of gas chromatography/mass spectrometry with solid phase micro-extraction (SPME/GC-MS). Additionally, antioxidant activity of the apilarnil was assessed using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay. A chemical assessment of apilarnil showed that it has 6.3±0.00, 74.67±0.10 %, 3.65±0.32 %, 8.80±1.01 %, 13.16±0.94 %, and 8.79±0.49 % of pH, moisture, total lipids, proteins, flavonoids, and carbohydrates, respectively. LC-MS/MS analysis and molecular networking (GNPS) of apilarnil exhibited 44 compounds, including fatty acids, flavonoids, glycerophospholipids, alcohols, sugars, amino acids, and steroids. GC-MS detected 30 volatile compounds in apilarnil, mainly esters (24 %), ketones (23.84 %), ethers (15.05 %), alcohols (11.41 %), fatty acids (10.06), aldehydes (6.73 %), amines (5.46), and alkene (5.53 %). The antioxidant activity of apilarnil was measured using DPPH with an IC50 of 179.93±2.46 μg/ml.

8-Methoxyflindersine-Induced Apoptosis and Cell Cycle Disorder Involving MAPK Signaling Activation in Human Colorectal Cancer Cells

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common malignant tumors with a high lethal rate globally, and novel strategies for its prevention and therapy are urgently needed. In our previous work, 8-methoxyflindersine (8-MF), a quinoline alkaloid, was isolated from the Dictamni cortex, and its bioactivities were largely unknown. In this study, we found that 8-MF significantly inhibited cell viability in the CRC cell lines LoVo and RKO. The 8-MF-induced CRC cell apoptosis, as well as cell cycle disorder, were further verified by cyclins dysregulation in mRNA and protein levels. Further, the activation of MAPK family members p38 and ERK1/2 was observed after 8-MF treatment. Moreover, the protein-protein interaction of 8-MF with cyclins and MAPKs was demonstrated using the STRING database. The 8-MF could bind to p38 and ERK1/2 proteins in molecular docking. Taken together, we found that 8-MF induced apoptosis and cell cycle disorder involving MAPK signaling activation in CRC cells, indicating 8-MF as a novel lead compound candidate for the development of anti-tumor drugs for CRC.

Rapid discovery and global characterization of multiple components in corn silk using a multivariate data processing approach based on UHPLC coupled with electrospray ionization/quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry

Corn silk is an important traditional Chinese medicine which has been widely used as diuretic, antilithiasic, uricosuric, antiseptic, etc. for thousands of years. However, it is a pity that the chemical ingredients in corn silk, especially the constituents absorbed into blood, are unclear up to now. The aim of our study was to investigate the multiple components of corn silk in vitro and in vivo. In this present study, a sensitive and rapid method using ultra high performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization/quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry and a multivariate data processing approach was established to detect the constituents of corn silk in vitro and in vivo. Consequently, total 41 ingredients in vitro and 19 of them absorbed into blood including luteolin, various C-glycosyl flavones, jasmonic acid, abscisic acid, gibberellin A, etc. were tentatively characterized in sequence. Furthermore, of particular importance, a kind of stable compound named C-glycosyl flavones is a great discovery in vivo, which can point the further pharmacological study target in future. In a word, this is the first serum pharmacochemistry study of corn silk, which played a critical role in exploring the pharmacological and effective data for further research.