Analysis of marker compounds with anti-platelet aggregation effects in Mailuoning injection using platelet binding assay combined with HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS and solid-phase extraction technique

Mailuoning oral liquid ameliorates vasculitis in thromboangiitis obliterans rats via inactivating cGAS-STING-IRF3 and TLR4-MAPKs/NF-κB signaling pathways

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Mailuoning oral liquid (MLN O), one traditional Chinese patent medicine, has a good therapeutic effect on thromboangiitis obliterans (TAO) in clinical practice. However, the underlying mechanism remains unclear.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study aimed to explore the effects and potential mechanisms of MLN O against TAO based on network pharmacology and experimental verification.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Network pharmacology was used to identify the intersectional targets and signaling pathways of MLN O and TAO. In vivo, the TAO model was established by injecting sodium laurate and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) into the femoral arteries of Wistar rats. Rats were given the indicated drugs by intragastric administration (i.g.), intravenous injection (i.v.), or subcutaneous injection (s.c.) per day for 21 days since a week before surgery. In vitro, HUVECs, RAW264.7, and THP-1 cells were stimulated by LPS and DHT to simulate the pathological changes of TAO. The anti-inflammatory, anticoagulant, and immunomodulatory effects of MLN O were evaluated by histological observation, blood biochemical indexes detection, H&E staining, immunohistochemistry, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), qRT-PCR, western blotting and immunofluorescence assays. Furthermore, the vascular ring test was applied to explore the vasodilatory activity of MLN O.

RESULTS

MLN O significantly improved the pathological signs in TAO rats through its excellent anti-inflammatory, anticoagulant, immunomodulatory, and vasodilatory effects. Specifically, MLN O alleviated the gangrene and reduced the thrombosis in TAO rats, meanwhile, suppressed the expressions of inflammatory factors and clotting factors, which is related to the inactivations of cGAS-STING-IRF3 and TLR4-MAPKs/NF-κB signaling pathways. However, the superphysiological dose of DHT deteriorated the pathological development of TAO in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, the results of network pharmacology are consistent with the experimental verification.

CONCLUSION

Collectively, this study indicates for the first time that MLN O could alleviate TAO by inhibiting cGAS-STING-IRF3 and TLR4-MAPKs/NF-κB signaling pathways, which sheds light on a novel clinical therapeutic strategy for TAO.

Mailuoning oral liquid attenuates convalescent cerebral ischemia by inhibiting AMPK/mTOR-associated apoptosis and promoting CREB/BDNF-mediated neuroprotection

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Ischemic stroke is divided into acute, subacute and convalescent phases according to the time of onset. Clinically, Mailuoning oral liquid (MLN O) is a traditional Chinese patent medicine for treating ischemic stroke. Previous studies have shown that MLN O could prevent acute cerebral ischemia-reperfusion. However, its underlying mechanism remains unclear.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To investigate the relationship between neuroprotection and apoptosis for clarifying MLN O mechanism in the recovery phase of ischemic stroke.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We imitated stroke using middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion (MCAO/R) in vivo and oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R) in vitro models. The infarct volume, neurological deficit scores, HE staining, Nissl staining, TUNEL staining, immunohistochemistry, and Western blot were correspondingly performed to find pathological changes and detect neuronal apoptosis in rat cerebral cortex. The contents of LDH, Cyt-c, c-AMP and BDNF in rat plasma and cerebral cortex were detected by ELISA. Cell viability was measured by CCK8 assay. Cell morphology, Hoechst 33342 staining and Annexin-V-Alexa Fluor 647/PI staining were performed to assess neuronal apoptosis. The expression levels of proteins were evaluated by western blotting.

RESULTS

MLN O obviously reduced brain infarct volume and neurological deficit scores in MCAO rats. MLN O inhibited inflammatory cell infiltration and neuronal apoptosis, but promoted gliosis, neuronal survival, and neuroprotection in the cortical region of MCAO rats. Additionally, MLN O decreased the amount of LDH and cytochrome c, while increasing the expression of c-AMP in the plasma and ischemic cerebral cortex of MCAO rats, and promoting the expression of BDNF in the cortical tissue of MCAO rats. Besides, MLN O improved cell viability, restored cell morphology, while attenuating cell damage, inhibiting neuronal apoptosis following OGD/R in PC-12 cells. Moreover, MLN O inhibited apoptosis by suppressing the expression of pro-apoptotic-associated proteins, including Bax, cytochrome c, Cleaved caspase 3 and HIF-1α, whereas accelerating the expression of Bcl-2 in vivo and in vitro. Furthermore, MLN O inhibited the activity of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)/mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR), but activated the signaling pathway of cAMP-response element binding protein (CREB)/brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in MCAO rats and OGD/R-stimulated PC-12 cells.

CONCLUSIONS

These results demonstrated that MLN O inhibited AMPK/mTOR to affect apoptosis associated with mitochondria, leading to improve CREB/BDNF-mediated neuroprotection in the recovery period of ischemic stroke in vivo and in vitro.

Recent applications of immobilized biomaterials in herbal analysis

Immobilization of biomaterials developed rapidly due to the great promise in improving their stability, activity and even selectivity. In this review, the immobilization strategies of biomaterials, including physical adsorption, encapsulation, covalent attachment, cross-linking and affinity linkage, were briefly introduced. Then, the major emphasis was focused on the reported various types of immobilized biomaterials, including proteins, enzymes, cell membrane and artificial membrane, living cells, carbohydrates and bacteria, used in the herbal analysis for bioactive compound screening, drug-target interaction evaluation and chiral separation. In addition, a series of carrier materials applied in biomaterials immobilization, such as magnetic nanoparticles, metal-organic frameworks, silica capillary column, cellulose filter paper, cell membrane chromatography, immobilized artificial membrane chromatography and hollow fiber, were also discussed. Perspectives on further applications of immobilized biomaterials in herbal analysis were finally presented.

Identification of active ingredients mediating anti-platelet aggregation effects of BuyangHuanwu decoction using a platelet binding assay, solid phase extraction, and HPLC-MS/MS

BuyangHuanwu decoction (BHD) is widely used as a traditional herbal medicine because of its antithrombotic effect, which is attributed to the inhibition of platelet aggregation; however, its active compounds remain unknown. In this study, we developed a method involving platelet binding, solid-phase extraction, and HPLC-MS/MS for screening BHD compounds with potential anti-platelet aggregation properties. Five compounds showing platelet binding affinity were identified as 6-hydroxykaempferol-di-O-glucoside, paeoniflorin, calycosin-7-O-β-d-glucoside, galloylpaeoniflorin, and formononetin-7-O-β-d-glucoside. The results of anti-platelet aggregation experiments in vitro confirmed that these compounds inhibited adenosine diphosphate-induced platelet aggregation. Our results suggest that a platelet binding assay combined with solid-phase extraction and HPLC-MS/MS is an effective method for screening anti-platelet aggregation agents in traditional Chinese medicines.

Biospecific isolation and characterization of angiogenesis-promoting ingredients in Buyang Huanwu decoction using affinity chromatography on rat brain microvascular endothelial cells combined with solid-phase extraction, and HPLC-MS/MS

Buyang Huanwu decoction (BHD) was reported to exert angiogenesis-promoting effects, but its active ingredients remain unknown. In this study, we developed a method to screen potential angiogenesis-promoting compounds in BHD, which involved biospecific isolation using live rat brain microvascular endothelial cells (rBMECs) and characterization using solid-phase extraction (SPE) and high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS). Six compounds showed binding affinity to rBMECs and were further identified as 6-hydroxykaempferol-di-O-glucoside, paeoniflorin, calycosin-7-O-β-D-glucoside, galloylpaeoniflorin, formononetin-7-O-β-D-glucoside, and (3R)-7,2'-hydroxy-3',4'-dimethoxy-isoflavan. The results indicated that five of them except 6-hydroxykaempferol-di-O-glucoside showed a protective effect against oxygen glucose deprivation/reperfusion injury in rBMECs and upregulated the secretion of vascular endothelial growth factor and basic fibroblast growth factor, suggesting a mechanism underlying their angiogenic activity. Our findings suggest that biospecific live cell-based isolation combined with SPE and HPLC-MS/MS is an effective method for screening potential bioactive components in traditional Chinese medicines.

Promotion of classic neutral bile acids synthesis pathway is responsible for cholesterol-lowing effect of Si-miao-yong-an decoction: Application of LC-MS/MS method to determine 6 major bile acids in rat liver and plasma

Si-miao-yong-an decoction (SMYAD), a traditional Chinese medicine formula, significantly reduced plasma TC, LDL-c levels and increased HDL-c level in hyperlipidemia rats. Liver function test and tissue section examination indicated that SMYAD improved liver function and reduced fat accumulation in hyperlipidemia rat liver. A LC-MS/MS method was established and well validated to evaluate major bile acids derived from cholesterol metabolism through the classic neutral pathway and the alternative acidic pathway (cholic acid, chenodeoxycholic acid and their taurine and glycine conjugates) in liver and plasma. Increased total 6 bile acids concentrations in both liver and plasma were observed after oral administration of 12g/kg/d, 24g/kg/d and 36g/kg/d of SMYAD in a dose dependent manner which contributed to eliminate of cholesterol. Cholic acid, taurocholic acid and glycocholic acid act as the main products of bile acid classic neutral synthesis pathway and show sharp increase (p<0.01) after treatment of SMYAD at dosage of 24-36g/kg/d. For liver samples, taurocholic acid level act as the largest growth section, while in plasma samples, cholic acid act as the largest growth section after SMYAD treatment, compared with Model group. By contrast, the main products of alternative acidic pathway (chenodeoxycholic acid and its glycine and taurine conjugates) show no significant increase after treatment of SMYAD. In conclusion, the cholesterol lowing effect of SMYAD may be related with the accelerated transformation of cholesterol into bile acids through the classic neutral pathway.

Simultaneous screening and analysis of antiplatelet aggregation active alkaloids from Rhizoma Corydalis

CONTEXT

The rising problem of atherosclerosis and ischemic heart disease emphasizes the need to look for new antithrombotic components with effective modes of action. Corydalis yanhusuo (Y.H. Chou & Chun C. Hsu) W.T. Wang ex Z.Y. Su & C.Y. Wu (Papaveraceae) (Rhizoma Corydalis) has been used in the traditional medicines for the treatment of cardiovascular disease.

OBJECTIVE

The antiplatelet aggregation compounds in Rhizoma Corydalis were screened to validate its traditional medicinal use.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Total alkaloid extract (TAE) of Rhizoma Corydalis was obtained by refluxing 100 g Rhizoma Corydalis powder with 600 mL 70% ethanol, and purified by acidification (20% HCl) and alkalization (5 M NaOH) process. Potential antiplatelet aggregation compounds in TAE were screened by a method involving platelet bio-specific extraction and HPLC-DAD/LC-MS analysis. Further in vitro antiplatelet aggregation activity confirmation of TAE and seven main alkaloids were achieved by turbidimetry method within 3 h after blood collection from rabbit carotid artery, and all the test drugs were at the concentration range of 25-350 μg/mL. Finally, HPLC-DAD was employed for the quantitative determination of seven main components in TAE.

RESULTS

Five alkaloids, identified as glaucine, dehydrocorydaline, canadine, tetrahydrocoptisine and corydaline, can be specifically extracted with platelets. The results indicated that all these five alkaloids can inhibit thrombin-induced platelet aggregation in a low dose (IC₅₀ of glaucine, dehydrocorydaline, canadine, tetrahydrocoptisine and corydaline were 49.057, 34.914, 33.547, 84.261 and 54.164 μg/mL, respectively) as compared to TAE (IC₅₀=175.426 μg/mL) and aspirin (IC₅₀=300.340 μg/mL), while the unbound compounds (palmatine and tetrahydropalmatine) had a very weak antiplatelet effect (IC₅₀>200 μg/mL).

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

This study is the first reported work for antiplatelet components screening in Rhizoma Corydalis. Seven compounds were detected and identified by HPLC-DAD/LC-MS, of which five platelet-targeted compounds were discovered.

Relationship between Platelet PPARs, cAMP Levels, and P-Selectin Expression: Antiplatelet Activity of Natural Products

Platelets are no longer considered simply as cells participating in thrombosis. In atherosclerosis, platelets are regulators of multiple processes, with the recruitment of inflammatory cells towards the lesion sites, inflammatory mediators release, and regulation of endothelial function. The antiplatelet therapy has been used for a long time in an effort to prevent and treat cardiovascular diseases. However, limited efficacy in some patients, drug resistance, and side effects are limitations of current antiplatelet therapy. In this context, a large number of natural products (polyphenols, terpenoids, alkaloids, and fatty acids) have been reported with antiplatelet activity. In this sense, the present paper describes mechanisms of antiplatelet action of natural products on platelet P-selectin expression through cAMP levels and its role as peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors agonists.

Profiling and identification of the absorbed constituents and metabolites of schisandra lignans by ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry

Schisandra chinensis Baill grows wild in Russia, China, Korea and Japan, and its fruit has been found to be effective in amnesia and insomnia. It is enriched in schisandra lignans (SL) that are major components responsible for therapeutic action. However, there are no reports on the biotransformation analysis of SL. An ultra-performance liquid chromatography/electrospray-ionization high-definition mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF-HDMS) method was developed to investigate the metabolism of SL in vivo. MS was performed on a Waters Micromass high-definition system with an electrospray ionization source in positive ion mode and automated MetaboLynx software analysis with excellent MS accuracy and enhanced MS data acquisition. An improved mass defect filter (MDF) method employing both drug and core structure filter templates was applied to the processing of UPLC-Q-TOF-HDMS data for the detection and structural characterization of metabolites. In this study, 30 metabolites were detected and identified in vivo, and demethylation and hydroxylation were confirmed as the primacy metabolic pathway for SL in rat plasma. In conclusion, the presently developed methodology was suitable for biotransformation research of SL and will find wide use in metabolic studies for other herbal medicines.

A dynamic multiple reaction monitoring method for the multiple components quantification of complex traditional Chinese medicine preparations: Niuhuang Shangqing pill as an example

It is a challenging task to simultaneously and quantitatively analyze multiple components in DFF [Da-Fu-Fang, namely, complex traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) preparations containing more than ten TCMs] due to their numerous and extreme complex chemical compositions possessing a wide variety of chemical and physical features, and their very low content. Rather than using a conventional mass spectrometry (MS) method with multiple reaction monitoring (MRM), in the current study, this challenge was addressed by using dynamic multiple reaction monitoring (DMRM). Using a DFF, Niuhuang Shangqing pill, which is composed of 19 TCMs, as a model, a rapid (one run in 20min), sensitive [lower limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantitation (LOQ) were achieved comparable with MRM] and accessible (a standard HPLC/MS/MS instrumentation was employed) MS method was successfully developed for the simultaneous quantification of 41 bioactive components which represented 15 of the 19 medicinal plants. A comparison of LOD and LOQ using MRM and DMRM was made to quantitatively reveal that the latter demonstrated advantages over the former. Meanwhile, a standard operating procedure concerning the development of a new DMRM method was recommended. The MS data were obtained in the positive ion mode with electrospray ionization as the ion source, acetonitrile and water as mobile phase and a Kinetex C18 core-shell column (100mm×2.10mm, 2.6μm, Phenomenex Inc.) as the analytical column. This method was then applied to 32 batches of samples. It transpired, through principal component analysis and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis, that the consistency of the products was relatively good within one company, but poor among different companies among the 32 samples; one failed to qualify in terms of the Chinese Pharmacopeia. This work illustrated that the proposed DMRM method was particularly suitable for quantifying the trace components in DFF and capable of ensuring the quality of DFF.

Effect of Si-Miao-Yong-An on the stability of atherosclerotic plaque in a diet-induced rabbit model

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Si-Miao-Yong-An (Trade name: Mai-Luo-Ning), a Chinese herbal formulation comprising Flos Lonicerae Japonicae, Radix Scrophulariae Ningpoensis, Radix Angelicae Sinensis and Radix Glycyrrhizae Uralensis, has been used in treating ischemic cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases for many years. Clinical and experimental studies have shown that Si-Miao-Yong-An can inhibit the inflammatory response and antagonize the blood clotting process.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To investigate the effect of Si-Miao-Yong-An on atherosclerotic plaque stability in rabbit model.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Seventy male rabbits were divided into four groups. Rabbits in the normal group were fed with normal diet, while rabbits in model group and drug treatment groups were fed with high cholesterol diet, underwent BSA-induced immunologic injury and balloon-induced mechanical injury. After atherosclerotic rabbits were treated with simvastatin or Si-Miao-Yong-An for 16 weeks, blood and aorta in four groups were collected for analysis.

RESULTS

Si-Miao-Yong-An reduced the level of triglycerides (TG) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in blood after treatment for 16 weeks. Compared with model group, Si-Miao-Yong-An decreased the content of many inflammatory cytokines in blood and plaque. Morphological analysis of abdominal aorta showed that Si-Miao-Yong-An increased fibrous cap thickness and smooth muscle cells, reduced lipid core area and macrophages, and contributed to inhibit matrix degradation and inflammatory response.

CONCLUSION

In this study, we provided evidence for that Si-Miao-Yong-An could promote the stability of atherosclerotic plaque in the rabbit model, indicating that this medicine was a reasonable drug treating cardiovascular diseases in clinical.