(1)H and DOSY NMR spectroscopy analysis of Ligusticum porteri rhizome extracts

NMR technique and methodology in botanical health product analysis and quality control

Botanicals have played an important role in maintaining human health and well-being throughout history. During the past few decades in particular, the use of botanical health products has gained more popularity. Whereas, quality, safety and efficacy concerns have continuously been critical issues due to the intrinsic chemical complexity of botanicals. Chemical analytical technologies play an imperative role in addressing these issues. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy has proven to be a powerful and useful tool for the investigation of botanical health products. In this review, NMR techniques and methodologies that have been successfully applied to the research and development of botanical health products in all stages, from plants to products, are discussed and summarized. Furthermore, applications of NMR together with other analytical techniques in a variety of domains of botanical health products investigation, such as plant species differentiation, adulteration detection, and bio-activity evaluation, are discussed and illustrated with typical examples. This article provides an overview of the potential uses of NMR techniques and methodologies in an attempt to further promote their recognition and utilization in the field of botanical health products analysis and quality control.

NMR-based metabolomics and fluxomics: developments and future prospects

Recent NMR developments are acting as game changers for metabolomics and fluxomics – a critical and perspective review.

Novel phthalide dimers from the aerial parts of Ligusticum sinense Oliv cv. Chaxiong

Five new phthalide dimers, chaxiongnolides C-G (1-5), the two enantiomers of riligustilide (6a and 6b) and tokinolide B (7) were isolated from the aerial parts of Ligusticum sinense Oliv cv. Chaxiong. The structures of 1-5 were elucidated through extensive spectroscopic analysis, and the relative configurations of compounds 2 and 3 were further confirmed by an X-ray diffraction experiment. The absolute configurations of 1-3 were assigned by comparing calculated and experimental ECD spectra. The ECD exciton chirality method was used to confirm the absolute configurations of compounds 4, 5, 6a and 6b. Compounds 1-3 are the first dimeric phthalides to be reported that are comprising a sedanolide unit. The compounds were evaluated in vitro for their cytotoxic activity against select human cell lines.

Pulsed-field gradient nuclear magnetic resonance measurements (PFG NMR) for diffusion ordered spectroscopy (DOSY) mapping

The advent of Diffusion Ordered SpectroscopY (DOSY) NMR has enabled diffusion coefficients to be routinely measured and used to characterize chemical systems in solution. Indeed, DOSY NMR allows the separation of the chemical entities present in multicomponent systems and provides information on their intermolecular interactions as well as on their size and shape.

Anti-inflammatory and toxicological evaluation of Moussonia deppeana (Schldl. & Cham) Hanst and Verbascoside as a main active metabolite

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Moussonia deppeana, known as Tlachichinole, is a Mexican medicinal plant used for treatment of inflammatory diseases, influenza, diarrhea, gastrointestinal disorders and arthritis.

AIM OF THE STUDY

In this paper the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities as well as the acute and sub-acute toxicological effects were evaluated for the ethanolic extract from aerial parts of M. deppeana, also its phytochemical analysis is described.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Phytochemical analysis and compound isolation were performed with thin layer chromatography. The chemical identification of the main compound was performed by (1)H NMR (COSY, NOESY, HSQC and HMBC) spectra. In vitro antioxidant capacity and total phenolic content for the ethanolic extract and its primary fractions was determined by DPPH and Folin-Ciocalteu reagent. Acute and subacute toxicity tests were evaluated on Balb/C mice. Finally acute anti-inflammatory evaluation was tested for a local (TPA) and systemic (carrageenan) murine model.

RESULTS

The main compound isolated from the ethanolic extract of M. deppeana was Verbascoside, which was isolated from F3 and was identified by (1)H NMR and COSY data. Furthermore oleanolic and ursolic acids were isolated from primary fractions F1 and F2. Ethanolic extract showed IC50 = 6.71mg/mL for DPPH test and 664.12µg QE/mL for the total phenolic content. The LD50 value was >2g/kg by i.g. route in male and female mice. Sub-acute administration (28 days) of the ethanolic extract (1g/kg) did not cause lethality or alter any hematological and biochemical parameters, in addition, histological analysis of the major organs exhibited no structural changes. Anti-inflammatory activity of the ethanolic extract showed an ED50 = 1.5mg/ear and 450mg/kg for TPA and carrageenan test, respectively. Primary fractions generated moderate local and systemic anti-inflammatory activity.

CONCLUSION

The ethanolic extract from the aerial parts of M. deppeana did not cause any lethality or adverse effect in either of the acute and sub-acute toxicity tests. This exhibited an important local and systemic anti-inflammatory activity and also moderate antioxidant capacity. Moreover, the primary fraction F2 was more active for the TPA model while the primary fraction F3 was most active in the carrageenan model in vivo. The main compound isolated from F3 was verbascoside; on the other hand also ursolic and oleanolic acids were isolated from F1 and F2.

Neuroprotective and Cytotoxic Phthalides from Angelicae Sinensis Radix

Seven phthalides, including a new dimeric one named tokinolide C (7), were isolated from Angelicae Sinensis Radix and characterized. The structures of these compounds were elucidated on the basis of comprehensive analysis of spectroscopic data and comparison with literature data. All of the compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxic activities against the A549, HCT-8, and HepG2 cancer cell lines. Riligustilide (4) showed cytotoxicity against three cancer cell lines, with IC50 values of 13.82, 6.79, and 7.92 μM, respectively. Tokinolide A (6) and tokinolide C (6) exerted low cytotoxicity in these cancer cell lines, while the remaining compounds were inactive. Flow cytometry analysis was employed to evaluate the possible mechanism of cytotoxic action of riligustilide (4). We observed that compound 4 was able to arrest the cell cycle in the G1, S phases and induce apoptosis in a time-dependent manner in HCT-8 cell lines. In addition, these compounds were evaluated for neuroprotective effect against SH-SY5Y cells injured by glutamate. The result showed that ligustilide (1), Z-butylidenephthalide (3) and tokinolide A (6) exhibited significant neuroprotective effects.

Cytotoxic Activities, SAR and Anti-Invasion Effects of Butylphthalide Derivatives on Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma SMMC7721 Cells

A series of butylphthalide derivatives (BPDs) 1–8 were isolated from the extract of the dried rhizome of Ligusticum chuanxiong Hort. (Umbelliferae). The cytotoxic activities of BPDs 1–8 were evaluated using a panel of human cancer cell lines. In addition, the SAR analysis and potential anti-invasion activities were investigated. The sp² carbons at C-7 and C-7a appeared to be essential for the cytotoxic activities of BPDs. BPDs 5 and 6 remarkably inhibited the migration and invasion of cancer cells. The anti-invasion activity of dimer 6 was demonstrated to be significantly higher than monomer 5.

Science meets regulation

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

The European Pharmacopoeia (Ph. Eur.) is a standard reference for both European and non-European countries and defines requirements for the qualitative and quantitative composition of medicines. Herbal drug (HD) monographs state which aspects have to be considered for quality assurance through the relevant chapters "Definition", "Characters", "Identification", "Tests", and "Assay". Identification of botanical material is achieved by macroscopic and microscopic morphology, generally examined by a trained expert. Content or assay is the most difficult area of quality control to perform, since in most herbal drugs the active constituents are unknown and markers should be used which cannot be really related to the quality. The other critical points are represented by the purity tests, in particular some tests such as heavy metals, aflatoxins and pesticides are laborious and time intensive, requiring a significant investment in equipment, materials, and maintenance.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A literature survey concerning alternative and/or complementary tools for quality control of botanicals has been performed by searching the scientific databases Pubmed, SciFinder, Scopus and Web of Science.

RESULTS

Diverse analytical methods including DNA fingerprinting, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR), Near Infra Red (NIR) and (bio)sensors have been reported in the literature to evaluate the quality of botanical products. Identification of plants at the species level can be successfully based on genome-based methods, using DNA barcodes, the nucleotide sequence of a short DNA fragment. NMR can provide direct NMR fingerprint determination (complete assignment of the signals by 1D and 2D experiments), quantitative NMR and chemometric analysis (the metabolite fingerprint is based on the distribution of intensity in the NMR spectrum to provide sample classification). NIR spectroscopy is a fast qualitative and quantitative analytical method, getting knowledge about plant species and/or its geographic origin. Finally, the development of chemical and biological sensors is currently one of the most active areas of analytical research. Immobilization of specific enzymes led to recognize definite class of compounds such as cysteine sulfoxides, glucosinolates, cyanogenic glycosides, and polyphenols. Other recognition elements are nucleic acids to evaluate the ability of different molecules to bind DNA. Sensors have also been developed for the detection of heavy metals in botanicals. Moreover, the analysis of mycotoxins and pesticides, could represent another field of possible application.

CONCLUSIONS

These alternative/complementary analytical methods represent tools which appear to be an analyst's dream: they are able to give rapid analysis responses; to operate directly on complex matrices, in many cases; to be selective and sensitive enough for the required application; to be portable and sometimes also disposable; and to have fast analysis times.

Antinociceptive activity of Ligusticum porteri preparations and compounds

CONTEXT

The roots and rhizomes of Ligusticum porteri Coulter & Rose (Apiaceae) are widely used in Mexican folk medicine for several purposes, including painful complaints.

OBJECTIVE

The main goal of this work was to demonstrate the analgesic action in mice of some preparations and major compounds from L. porteri.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The extracts, aqueous (AE) and organic (OE), the essential oil (EO) and major compounds (10-316 mg/kg) from L. porteri were evaluated as potential antinociceptive agents using the acetic acid-induced writhing and hot plate tests in ICR mice.

RESULTS

All preparations tested exhibited significant antinociceptive effect in the two animal pain models selected. AE and EO were more effective in the writhing test while OE had a better effect in the hot-plate model. On the other hand, Z-ligustilide (1) provoked an increment in the latency period to the thermal stimuli in the hot-plate test at a dose of 31.6 mg/kg, and a decrease in the number of abdominal writhes at 10 mg/kg. Z-3-butylidenephthalide (2) induced a dose-dependent antinociceptive action in the hot-plate assay; this compound was also effective for controlling the pain provoked by chemical irritation at the doses of 10 and 31.6 mg/kg. Finally, diligustilide (3) inhibited the number of writhing responses at all doses tested but was inactive in the hot-plate model.

CONCLUSION

The present investigation provides in vivo evidence supporting the use of L. porteri to treat painful conditions in folk medicine.

Quantitative 1H NMR. Development and potential of an analytical method: an update

Covering the literature from mid-2004 until the end of 2011, this review continues a previous literature overview on quantitative (1)H NMR (qHNMR) methodology and its applications in the analysis of natural products. Among the foremost advantages of qHNMR is its accurate function with external calibration, the lack of any requirement for identical reference materials, a high precision and accuracy when properly validated, and an ability to quantitate multiple analytes simultaneously. As a result of the inclusion of over 170 new references, this updated review summarizes a wealth of detailed experiential evidence and newly developed methodology that supports qHNMR as a valuable and unbiased analytical tool for natural product and other areas of research.