Sarcandra glabra (Thunb.) Nakai alleviates DSS-induced ulcerative colitis by promoting restitution, restoring barrier function, and modulating IL-17/Notch1/FoxP3 pathway in intestinal cells

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Sarcandra glabra is officially named Zhong Jie Feng as a traditional medicine. In the nationality of Yao and Zhuang, it has been used to treat digestive diseases like stomachache and dysentery. Similarly, in Dai nationality, it has been used to treat intestinal diseases like gastric ulcers. However, the effect and mechanism of S. glabra on experimental ulcerative colitis (UC) are known.

AIM OF STUDY

The main objective of this study was to investigate the effect and mechanism of S. glabra on experimental UC.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The chemical components in the water extract of S. glabra (ZJF) were analyzed by UPLC-MS/MS method. The HCoEpiC cell line was used to assess the promotive effect on intestinal proliferation and restitution. RAW264.7 cells were used to assess the in vitro anti-inflammatory effect of ZJF. The 3% DSS-induced colitis model was used to evaluate the in vivo effect of ZJF (4.5 g/kg and 9.0 g/kg). Mesalazine (0.5 g/kg) was used as the positive drug. ELISA, RT-qPCR, Western blot, and multiplex immunohistochemical experiments were used to test gene levels in the colon tissue. The H&E staining method was used to monitor the pathological changes of colon tissue. TUNEL assay kit was used to detect apoptosis of epithelial colonic cells.

RESULTS

ZJF could alleviate the DSS-caused colitis in colon tissues, showing a comparative effect to that of the positive drug mesalazine. Mechanism study indicated that ZJF could promote normal colonic HCoEpiC cell proliferation and restitution, inhibit overexpression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, restore the M1/M2 ratio, decrease epithelial colonic cell apoptosis, rescue tight junction protein levels, and modulate IL-17/Notch1/FoxP3 pathway to treat experimental UC.

CONCLUSION

Our results indicated that S. glabra can promote intestinal cell restitution, balance immune response, and modulate IL-17/Notch1/FoxP3 pathway to treat experimental UC.

Pharmacokinetic Analysis of Two N-Substituted Rosmarinic Acid Analogs in Rat Plasma by Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry

This study reports the development of an effective high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) method for the quantification of two analogs of rosmarinic acid (RA) in rat plasma, namely methyl (E)-2-(3-(3,4-difluorophenyl)acrylamido)-3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)propanoate (A11) and methyl (E)-3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-2-(3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)acrylamido)propanoate (A2). These analogs, featuring N atoms instead of O atoms, exhibit enhanced bioavailability and distinct pharmacological activities compared with RA. The HPLC separation was carried out on a C18 column (1.9 μm, 2.1 mm × 100 mm) coupled with a security guard C18 column (5 μm, 2.1 mm × 10 mm). A triple-quadrupole mass spectrometer equipped with an electrospray ionization ion source was utilized for ion generation. Pseudoephedrine hydrochloride was utilized as a standard, and a single-step protein precipitation method using isopropanol:ethyl acetate (v/v, 20:80) was employed for sample pretreatment. The developed method demonstrated excellent linearity over the concentration range of 5-750 ng/ml for both A11 and A2, with relative standard deviations of <15% and relative errors within 15% during daily course analysis. The method allowed for the unambiguous quantification and identification of A11 and A2 in vivo. The results of this study provide a meaningful foundation for evaluating the clinical applications of these analogs.

Integrated chemical characterization, metabolite profiling, and pharmacokinetics analysis of Zhijun Tangshen Decoction by UPLC-Q/TOF-MS

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is the main cause of end-stage renal disease worldwide and a major public issue affecting the health of people. Therefore, it is essential to explore effective drugs for the treatment of DN. In this study, the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula, Zhijun Tangshen Decoction (ZJTSD), a prescription modified from the classical formula Didang Decoction, has been used in the clinical treatment of DN. However, the chemical basis underlying the therapeutic effects of ZJTSD in treating DN remains unknown. In this study, compounds of ZJTSD and serum after oral administration in rats were identified and analyzed using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q/TOF-MS). Meanwhile, a semi-quantitative approach was used to analyze the dynamic changes in the compounds of ZJTSD in vivo. UPLC-Q/TOF-MS analysis identified 190 compounds from ZJTSD, including flavonoids, anthraquinones, terpenoids, phenylpropanoids, alkaloids, and other categories. A total of 156 xenobiotics and metabolites, i.e., 51 prototype compounds and 105 metabolites, were identified from the compounds absorbed into the blood of rats treated with ZJTSD. The results further showed that 23 substances with high relative content, long retention time, and favorable pharmacokinetic characteristics in vivo deserved further investigations and validations of bioactivities. In conclusion, this study revealed the chemical basis underlying the complexity of ZJTSD and investigated the metabolite profiling and pharmacokinetics of ZJTSD-related xenobiotics in rats, thus providing a foundation for further investigation into the pharmacodynamic substance basis and metabolic regulations of ZJTSD.

Determination of rosmarinic acid and its N-substituted analog A1 in rat plasma using high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry and its application in pharmacokinetics

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to determine the concentration of rosmarinic acid (RA) and its analog (E)-3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-2-(3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)acrylamido)propanoic acid (A1) in rat plasma following oral administration. The significance of this study lies in the development of a rapid, sensitive, and alternative method using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry for the accurate quantification and identification of RA and A1 in vivo.

METHODS

Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry was employed to analyze RA and A1 in rat plasma. A C18 column (1.9 µm, 2.1 × 100 mm) with a C18 guard column (5 µm, 2.1 × 10 mm) and a triple-quadrupole mass spectrometer combined with an electrospray ionization source were utilized. Sample pretreatment involved a one-step protein precipitation using isopropanol:ethyl acetate (20:80, v/v) as the solvent. Pseudoephedrine hydrochloride served as a standard.

RESULTS

The developed method exhibited a linear relationship within the concentration ranges of 5-750 ng/ml for both RA and A1. Relative standard deviations in daily courses were less than 15%, and the relative errors recorded were within 15%. This is the first study to concentrate on determining A1 and RA in rat plasma through oral administration.

CONCLUSIONS

The liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method developed in this study offers a rapid, sensitive, and alternative approach for the accurate quantification and identification of RA and A1 in vivo. The findings serve as a significant foundation for evaluating the clinical applications of the medicine.

Pharmacokinetic Analysis of Rosmarinic Acid and its Analog in Rat Plasma Using Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry

The anticancer effects of rosmarinic acid (RA) are a hotspot of current research. In order to enhance its pharmacological activity, N-substituted RA was prepared, and it has been shown to exhibit notable antitumor effects. In order to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of action, pharmacokinetic analysis is necessary. In the present study, liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometric method, was used to determine the concentrations of RA and its analog, (E)-3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-2-(3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)acrylamido)propanoic acid (A2) in plasma from rats. The analyses were divided into a C18 column (1.9 μm, 2.1 mm × 100 mm) with a security guard C18 column (5 μm, 2.1 mm × 10 mm) and a triple-quadrupole mass spectrometry with an electrospray ionization ion-source generates ions. The sample pretreatment is relevant to the one-step protein precipitation with isopropanol:ethyl acetate (v/v, 1:1) This method presented a linear association within ranges at the concentration of 5-2000 ng/mL for A2 and RA. Relative standard deviations in daily courses were <15% and the relative errors registered within 15%. The methods used in the present study make the unambiguous quantification and identification of RA and A2 possible in vivo. The present study is the first to focus on determining A2 and RA in rat plasma following oral administration. The results may provide a meaningful basis for the evaluation of the application of RA and its analog in clinical practice and also provide a reference method for the pharmacokinetic analysis of RA analogs.

Multiple circulating alkaloids and saponins from intravenous Kang-Ai injection inhibit human cytochrome P450 and UDP-glucuronosyltransferase isozymes: potential drug-drug interactions

BACKGROUND

Kang-Ai injection is widely used as an adjuvant therapy drug for many cancers, leukopenia, and chronic hepatitis B. Circulating alkaloids and saponins are believed to be responsible for therapeutic effects. However, their pharmacokinetics (PK) and excretion in vivo and the risk of drug-drug interactions (DDI) through inhibiting human cytochrome P450 (CYP) and UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) enzymes remain unclear.

METHODS

PK and excretion of circulating compounds were investigated in rats using a validated ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS) method. Further, the inhibitory effects of nine major compounds against eleven CYP and UGT isozymes were assayed using well-accepted specific substrate for each enzyme.

RESULTS

After dosing, 9 alkaloids were found with C max and t 1/2 values of 0.17-422.70 μmol/L and 1.78-4.33 h, respectively. Additionally, 28 saponins exhibited considerable systemic exposure with t 1/2 values of 0.63-7.22 h, whereas other trace saponins could be negligible or undetected. Besides, over 90% of alkaloids were excreted through hepatobiliary and renal excretion. Likewise, astragalosides and protopanaxatriol (PPT) type ginsenosides also involved in hepatobiliary and/or renal excretion. Protopanaxadiol (PPD) type ginsenosides were mainly excreted to urine. Furthermore, PPD-type ginsenosides were extensively bound (f u-plasma approximately 1%), whereas astragalosides and PPT-type ginsenosides displayed f u-plasma values of 12.35% and 60.23-87.36%, respectively. Moreover, matrine, oxymatrine, astragaloside IV, ginsenoside Rg1, ginsenoside Re, ginsenoside Rd, ginsenoside Rc, and ginsenoside Rb1 exhibited no inhibition or weak inhibition against several common CYP and UGT enzymes IC50 values between 8.81 and 92.21 μM. Through kinetic modeling, their inhibition mechanisms towards those CYP and UGT isozymes were explored with obtained Ki values. In vitro-in vivo extrapolation showed the inhibition of systemic clearance for CYP or UGT substrates seemed impossible due to [I]/Ki no more than 0.1.

CONCLUSIONS

We summarized the PK behaviors, excretion characteristics and protein binding rates of circulating alkaloids, astragalosides and ginsenosides after intravenous Kang-Ai injection. Furthermore, weak inhibition or no inhibition towards these CYP and UGT activities could not trigger harmful DDI when Kang-Ai injection is co-administered with clinical drugs primarily cleared by these CYP or UGT isozymes.