Multiconstituent identification in root, branch, and leaf extracts ofJuglans mandshuricausing ultra high performance liquid chromatography with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry

Polysaccharide from walnut green husk alleviates liver inflammation and gluconeogenesis dysfunction by altering gut microbiota in ochratoxin A-induced mice

Walnut green husk polysaccharides (WGP) are isolated from the walnut green husk with a mean molecular weight of 12.77 kDa. The structural characterization revealed by methylation and NMR analysis indicated that WGP might consist of →4-α-D-Galp-(1→, α-D-Galp (1→, and →2)-α-L-Rhap-(1→. Previous studies have been demonstrated that WGP effectively prevented liver injury and modulated gut microbiota in high fructose-treated mice and high fat diet-treated rats. In this study, we found for the first time that WGP presenting outstanding protective effects on liver inflammation and gluconeogenesis dysfunction induced by ochratoxin A (OTA) in mice. Firstly, WGP decreased oxidative stress, down-regulated the expression of inflammatory factors and inhibited the TLR4/p65/IκBα pathway in the liver. Then, WGP reversed OTA-induced lower phosphoenolpyruvate carboxyl kinase (PEPCK), and glucose 6-phosphatase (G6PC) activities in the liver. Furthermore, WGP increased the diversity of gut microbiota and the abundance of beneficial bacteria, especially Lactobacillus and Akkermansia. Importantly, the results of fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) experiment further confirmed that gut microbiota involved in the protective effects of WGP on liver damage induced by OTA. Our results indicated that the protective effect of WGP on liver inflammation and gluconeogenesis dysfunction caused by OTA may be due to the regulation of gut microbiota.

The Active Components of Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) Calathide and the Effects on Urate Nephropathy Based on COX-2/PGE2 Signaling Pathway and the Urate Transporter URAT1, ABCG2, and GLUT9

The sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) calathide is gradually used as an alternative treatment for hyperuricemia; nevertheless, evidence regarding its main components and therapeutic capacity for urate nephropathy is lacking. Identification of sunflower calathide aqueous extract (SCE) was rapidly done by UPLC-ESI-Q-Orbitrap, and 32 water-soluble compounds with a comprehensive score >80 were discovered. Besides, yeast extract was administrated to induce high UA levels and hyperuricemic renal injury. We found that SCE treatment not only decreased UA levels to a comparable degree as allopurinol and benzbromarone, but also reduced the BUN levels and participated in kidney injury repair induced by uric acid. Moreover, it regulated the expression of URAT1 and ABCG2, especially inhibiting the GLUT9 in the normal kidney. Results were multifacetedly evaluated with a view to suggesting a possible mechanism of action as compared with those of allopurinol and benzbromarone by western blotting, H&E staining, and immunohistochemistry. However, the H&E staining showed histological changes in model, benzbromarone, and allopurinol groups rather than SCE treatments, and at the same time, the uric acid was identified as a cause of renal damage. The antiinflammatory effects and the regulations of COX-2/PGE2 signaling pathway were revealed on the LPS-induced RAW264.7 cells, indicating that the SCE not only increased cellular proliferation but also downregulated the COX-2, PGE2, NO, and IFN-γ cytokines in the RAW264.7 cells. To conclude, the SCE acts on urate transporters and contributes to prevent urate nephropathy via alleviating inflammatory process involving COX-2/PGE2 signaling pathway. It is available to develop SCE as food supplemental applications for hyperuricemia and nephritic inflammation.

Simultaneous Quantification of Diarylheptanoids and Phenolic Compounds in Juglans mandshurica Maxim. by UPLC–TQ-MS

The immature epicarps of Juglans mandshurica and Juglans regia have been used as folk medicine for the treatment of cancer in China. Other parts of the J.mandshurica plant, including leaves, branches, barks, and stems, have reported antitumor activities. We previously found that various diarylheptanoids and phenolic compounds isolated from J. mandshurica epicarps show significant antitumor activities. However, there are no reports of quantitative analysis of diarylheptanoids and phenolic compounds of J. mandshurica. In this study, a validated quantitative method, based on ultraperformance liquid chromatography coupled with triple-quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry, was employed to determine the contents of eight diarylheptanoids and seven phenolic compounds in the epicarps of J. mandshurica during different growth periods, in different parts of the plant, and in the epicarps of two Juglans species. The most successful J. mandshurica epicarp harvesting time fell between Day 12 and Day 27. The leaves of J. mandshurica showed potential for medical use as they had the highest content of the 15 compounds (3.399 ± 0.013 mg/g). We showed for the first time that the total content of diarylheptanoids in J. mandshurica is higher than that in J. regia, though, conversely, J. regia has higher contents of phenolic compounds. The method developed in this study is practical and simple and can be applied for quantitative analysis for evaluating the intrinsic quality of J. mandshurica.

Juglans mandshurica Maxim.: A Review of Its Traditional Usages, Phytochemical Constituents, and Pharmacological Properties

Juglans mandshurica Maxim., also known as “Manchurian walnut” (Chinese) and “Onigurumi” (Japanese), is a medicinal plant widely distributed in Western and Central Asia, especially in China. It has been traditionally used to treat cancer, gastric ulcers, diarrhea, dysentery, dermatosis, uterine prolapse, and leukopenia. To date, more than 400 constituents including quinones (e.g. naphthoquinones, anthraquinones, naphthalenones, tetralones), phenolics, flavonoids, triterpenoids, coumarins, lignans, phenylpropanoids, diarylheptanoids, and steroids, were isolated and structurally identified from different plant parts of J. mandshurica. Among them, quinones, phenolics, triterpenoids, and diarylheptanoids, as the major bioactive substances, have been extensively studied and displayed significant bioactivity. Previous studies have demonstrated that J. mandshurica and a few of its active components exhibit a wide range of pharmacologically important properties, such as antitumor, immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, anti-diabetic, antiviral, antimicrobial, and anti-melanogenesis activities. However, many investigations on biological activities were mainly based on crude extracts of this plant, and the major bioactive ingredients responsible for these bioactivities have not been well identified. Further in vitro and in vivo studies on the mechanisms of action of the pure bioactive compounds, and more elaborate toxicity studies as well as clinical studies are needed to ensure safety and effectiveness of the plant for human use. Taken together, the present review will provide some specific useful suggestions guide to further investigations and applications of this plant in the preparation of medicines and functional foods.

The protective effects of walnut green husk polysaccharide on liver injury, vascular endothelial dysfunction and disorder of gut microbiota in high fructose-induced mice

This study aimed to investigate the protective effects of walnut green husk polysaccharide (WGHP) on liver injury, vascular endothelial dysfunction and disorder of gut microbiota in mice induced by high fructose (HF) diet. The chemical analysis results show that the walnut green husk polysaccharide is a low molecular weight acidic heteropolysaccharide, composed mainly of glucuronic acid, arabinose and galactose. Biochemical analysis showed that WGHP significantly improved glucose metabolism and lipid metabolism and decreased oxidative stress in HF-diet induced obesity mice. Histopathological observation of liver and cardiovascular aorta confirmed the protective effects of WGHP on hepatic steatosis and vascular endothelial dysfunction. Furthermore, 16S rRNA sequencing results demonstrated that WGHP reversed the disorders of gut microbiota caused by HF, decreased the relative abundance of Verrucomicrobia and increased the relative abundance of Deferribacteres at the phylum level, decreased the relative abundance of Akkermansia, Lachnoclostridium and norank_f__Muribaculaceae and increased the relative abundance of Prevotellaceae_UCG-001, Helicobacter, Alloprevotella and Allobaculum at the genus levels. Our results indicate that WGHP may act as a functional polysaccharide for protecting liver and cardiovascular in HF-fed mice.

Identifying potential active components of walnut leaf that action diabetes mellitus through integration of UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap HRMS and network pharmacology analysis

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Walnut leaf (WL) is a hypoglycemic herbal medication with blood glucose-lowering activity that can affect diabetes mellitus (DM). However, the active components of WL and the mechanisms by which these compounds affect DM are unclear.

AIM OF STUDY

This study aimed to determine these effective ingredients and elucidate the potential mechanisms by which they affect DM via ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-hybrid quadrupole-Orbitrap high-resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap HRMS) coupled with network pharmacology analysis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

First, UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap HRMS was utilized to identify components of WL. Second, the putative targets of the components were identified and predicted based on chemical similarity and online databases. Third, the key candidate targets and potential active components were identified through topological analysis of a component-disease target interaction network. Finally, interactions between active components and therapeutic targets were confirmed by molecular docking analysis.

RESULTS

One hundred and thirty components were identified in WL, among which 38 were considered potentially bioactive, as they showed hypoglycemic effects. Among these 38, 8 key active components possessed high similarities and shared 4 targets with approved drugs. These findings were confirmed by molecular docking analysis.

CONCLUSION

The approach combining UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap HRMS with network pharmacology analysis is a rapid and effective tool to identify potentially bioactive constituents in medicinal plants and prescriptions.

Identification and Quantification of Bioactive Compounds in Diaphragma juglandis Fructus by UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap HRMS and UHPLC-MS/MS

Diaphragma juglandis fructus is the dry wooden diaphragm inside walnuts and a byproduct in food processing of walnut kernels. The purpose of our research is to enrich the information on compounds in Diaphragma juglandis fructus to further discover and exploit its potential nutritional value. In this study, new quali-quantitative analytical approaches were developed to identify and determine bioactive compounds in Diaphragma juglandis fructus. Two-hundred compounds, including hydrolyzable tannins, flavonoids, phenolic acids, and quinones, were identified by UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap HRMS, more than 150 of which were first discovered in Diaphragma juglandis fructus. Among them, 21 major dietary polyphenols with health-promoting effects were successfully quantified using UHPLC-MS/MS, with total contents of 2.88-6.18 mg/g. This successful characterization and quantification of bioactive compounds in Diaphragma juglandis fructus gives a better understanding of its potential nutritional value and supports efficiently developing and reusing it instead of discarding it as agrofood waste.

Liquid chromatography coupled with time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry for comprehensive phenolic characterization of pomegranate fruit and flower extracts used as ingredients in botanical dietary supplements

Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) fruit and flower extracts, which are rich sources of bioactive phenolics, are widely utilized as ingredients in botanical dietary supplements. While the phenolic characterization of extracts of pomegranate fruit has been previously studied by liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry, there is lack of similar data for pomegranate flowers. Herein, liquid chromatography with time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry was utilized to comprehensively characterize the phenolics present in two pomegranate extracts, previously studied for their in vitro and in vivo biological effects, namely, a patented commercial pomegranate fruit extract (Pomella®), and a pomegranate flower extract. Seventy-one phenolics were characterized in the pomegranate fruit extract with the vast majority identified in the flower extract. However, only the pomegranate fruit extract contained tannin-glucuronides and two punicalagin isomers (a characteristic pomegranate phenolic) were identified in this extract while four were identified in the flower extract. The previously reported compounds, pomellatannin and punicatannins A/B, were identified as unique chemical markers in the pomegranate fruit and flower extracts, respectively. This study will aid in the quality control, authentication, and standardization of these botanical ingredients to evaluate their potential health benefits in future planned pre-clinical and clinical studies. Also, this is the first phenolic characterization of a pomegranate flower extract using liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry.

Phytochemical study of Juglans regia L. leaves

A methanolic extract of Juglans regia L. leaves was fractioned by various chromatographic techniques yielding a total of 40 metabolites belonging to megastigmane, tetralone, phenylpropanoid, neolignane and juglone glycosides. Ten unknown megastigmane glucoside derivatives (juglanionosides A-K, 1-10) and six unknown tetralone glucoside derivatives (juglanosides J-O, 11-16) together with 24 known compounds - among them 16 described for the first time in Juglans - were isolated. As characteristic structural feature, the previously undescribed compounds showed acylation of the sugar units with sinapic, ferulic, coumaric, benzoic or salicylic acid. Their chemical structures were elucidated on the basis of 1D and 2D NMR techniques, HRESIMS as well as CD spectroscopy. Absolute stereochemistry was revealed by mild alkaline hydrolysis and comparison of CD and polarimetric data to literature values.

Identification of Polar Constituents in the Decoction of Juglans mandshurica and in the Medicated Egg Prepared with the Decoction by HPLC-Q-TOF MS²

As a folk medicinal plant, Juglans mandshurica has been used for the treatment of cancer in China and Korea. Traditionally, J. mandshurica is decocted together with chicken eggs. Both the decoction and medicated eggs possess anti-tumor properties. Clarifying the constituents of the decoction and absorbed by the medicated eggs is essential for the investigation of the active principles of J. mandshurica. Herein, the medicated eggs were prepared by decocting raw chicken eggs, having unbroken shells, with the decoction of J. mandshurica. A systematic investigation of the chemical profile of the J. mandshurica decoction and the medicated egg extraction was conducted by HPLC-Q-TOF-MS². In total, 93 peaks, including 45 tannins, 14 naphthalene derivatives, 17 organic acids, 3 diarylheptanoids, 4 lignans, 3 anthraquinones, 1 flavonoid glycoside, 3 amino acids, and 3 nitrogenous compounds, were tentatively identified in the decoction. In the medicated egg extraction, 44 peaks including 11 organic acids, 3 amino acids, 3 nitrogenous compounds, 8 naphthalene derivatives, 3 diarylheptanoids, 15 tannins, and 1 lignan were tentatively identified. The chemical profile presented provided a detailed overview of the polar chemical constituents in J. mandshurica and useful information for the research of bioactive compounds of this plant.