Simultaneous determination of eleven major flavonoids in the pollen of Typha angustifolia by HPLC-PDA-MS

Identifying the active ingredients of carbonized Typhae Pollen by spectrum-effect relationship combined with MBPLS, PLS, and SVM algorithms

Typhae Pollen (TP) and its carbonized product (carbonized Typhae Pollen, CTP), as cut-and-dried herbal drugs, have been widely used in the form of slices in clinical settings. However, the two drugs exhibit a great difference in terms of their clinical efficacy, for TP boasts an effect of removing blood stasis and promoting blood circulation, while CTP typically presents a hemostatic function. Since the active ingredients of CTP, so far, still remain unclear, this study aimed at identifying the active ingredients of CTP by spectrum-effect relationship approach coupled with multi-block partial least squares (MBPLS), partial least squares (PLS), and support vector machine (SVM) algorithms. In this study, the chemical profiles of a series of CTP samples which were stir-fried for different duration (denoted as CTP0∼CTP9) were firstly characterized by UHPLC-QE-Orbitrap MS. Then the hemostatic effect of the CTP samples was evaluated from the perspective of multiple parameters-APTT, PT, TT, FIB, TXB2, 6-keto-PGF1α, PAI-1 and t-PA-using established rat models with functional uterine bleeding. Subsequently, MBPLS, PLS and SVM were combined to perform spectrum-effect relationship analysis to identify the active ingredients of CTP, followed by an in vitro hemostatic bioactivity test for verification. As a result, a total of 77 chemical ingredients were preliminarily identified from the CTP samples, and the variations occurred in these ingredients were also analyzed during the carbonizing process. The study revealed that all the CTP samples, to a varying degree, showed a hemostatic effect, among which CTP6 and CTP7 were superior to the others in terms of the hemostatic effect. The block importance in the projection (BIP) indexes of MBPLS model indicated that flavonoids and organic acids made more contributions to the hemostatic effect of CTP in comparison to other ingredients. Consequently, 9 bioactive ingredients, including quercetin-3-O-glucoside, kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside, quercetin, kaempferol, isorhamnetin, 2-methylenebutanedioic acid, pentanedioic acid, benzoic acid and 3-hydroxybenzoic acid, were further identified as the potential active ingredients based on PLS and SVM models as well as the in vitro verification. This study successfully revealed the bioactive ingredients of CTP associated with its hemostatic effect, and also provided a scientific basis for further understanding the mechanism of TP processing. In addition, it proposed a novel path to identify the active ingredients for Chinese herbal medicines.

Pollen Typhae-Based Magnetic-Powered Microrobots toward Acute Gastric Bleeding Treatment

Traditional Chinese herbal medicine (TCHM) is the naturally available pharmaceutical with millennia of evolution from ancient China, capable of a superior therapeutic index and minimized unwanted effects on the human body. This work presents a therapeutic microrobotic platform based on pollen typhae (PT), a typical type of TCHM, fabricated by coating porous PT microspheres with Fe3O4 nanoparticles (PT robots) via electrostatic adsorption. The PT robots exhibit effective and controllable motion in various biological media upon external magnetic control and, meanwhile, preserve the inherent hemostasis property of PT. The blood clotting capacity of PT robots is attributed to their stimulation of the endogenous blood coagulation pathway and platelets with increased counts, which could be further improved by their effective magnetic propulsion. The remote magnetic control also allows the manipulation of PT robots in mice stomach, inducing enhanced binding and prolonged retention of PT robots in stomach mucosa. Moreover, PT robots upon magnetic control show an enhanced hemostatic effect in treating the mice bearing acute gastric bleeding compared with other passive groups. This work offers a facile and feasible route to integrate TCHM with manmade micromachines possessing the innate curative features of TCHM. Such a design expanded the versatility of microrobots and can be generalized to vast types of TCHM for broader biomedical applications.

UPLC/ESI-MS Phytochemical Screening of Deverra tortuosa Haematological and Histopathological Studies and Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetes in Rat

Herbal plants represent a new source of hypoglycemic antidiabetic drugs; haematological and histopathological studies of methanol extract of Deverra tortuosa in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats were investigated in vivo. A single intraperitoneal injection of 160 mg/kg bodyweights of streptozotocin was used to cause diabetes. Blood glucose levels were tested with an AccuCheck Advantage II glucometer and blood glucose test strips. After diabetes was confirmed, animals were orally treated with the extract, metformin, and insulin according to the experimental design. After extract therapy, histological alterations in the pancreas of diabetic rats were investigated. When compared to a control group, daily oral administration of D. tortuosa extract (300 mg/kg body weight) plus metformin (100 mg/kg) had a positive effect on blood glucose levels as well as showed an increased number of white blood cells (WBCs) and red blood cells (RBCs). The treatment with the extract for two weeks showed a positive impact on pancreatic histopathological changes in the groups with the diabetic rats. Phenolic fraction of the methanol extract was screened by the liquid chromatography-mass spectroscopy (LC-MS) method, which unveiled the existence of flavonoid compounds and phenolics as kaempferol, rutin, isorhamnetin-3-O-rutinoside, caffeic acid, and 4-hydroxybenzoic acid 4-O-glucoside. The results confirmed the use of the plant as an antidiabetic agent; the research recommended further studies on the plant to use the plant as an antidiabetic drug, where the plant extract also showed improvement in blood parameters.

Alkaloids and phenolics identification in fruit of Nitraria tangutorum Bobr. by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS and their a-glucosidase inhibitory effects in vivo and in vitro

Nitraria tangutorum Bobr. (NTB), mainly distributed in the Qaidam Basin of Tibetan Plateau, have high economic, ecological and medicinal value. The chemical compositions in the NTB fruits were tentatively analyzed and characterized by applying UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS. Total 45 constituents, including 9 hydroxycinnamic acids derivatives, 12 flavonols, 4 flavonoids, 1 trolox derivative, 8 β-carboline alkaloids, 4 tryptophan derivatives, and 7 other amino acid derivatives were identified by comparing with standard products, and analyzing their retention times, characteristic fragment ions and deprotonated molecule ions. The activity studies in vitro indicated that NTB-Z and NTB-C extracts had marked inhibitory effects against sucrase and maltase. Further sucrose/maltose/starch tolerance experiment demonstrated that both NTB-Z and NTB-C extracts at 400 mg/kg could markedly lower the postprandial blood glucose (PBG) level in diabetic animals. All these results indicated that the NTB fruits could be used as the functional health food or medicine for controlling postprandial blood glucose level.

Thrombin-based discovery strategy of bioactive-chemical quality marker combination for pollen of Typha orientalis by metabolomics coupled with chemometrics

BACKGROUND

It is of utmost significance to choose the bioactive components as quality markers for ensuring the effectiveness of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Nonetheless, some markers are able to assess effectively the quality of TCM without considering the pharmacological mechanisms and intrinsic chemical complexities.

OBJECTIVE

This underscores the need to discover new and efficient markers which can assess both quality and mechanism of action. Herein, a strategy of bioactive-chemical quality marker combination was proposed to improve the level of the quality control of TCM by metabolomics coupled with chemometrics.

METHODS

A four-step plan was followed. Firstly, acquisition of metabolic features and component characterization of different batches of pollen of Typha orientalis C.Presl were performed using UHPLC-Q-TOF/MS. Secondly, the direct inhibitory effects of pollen of T. orientalis on thrombin was assessed by using chromogenic substrate method together with HPLC. Thereafter, bioactive-chemical marker combination associated with anti-thrombin segregation was screened using supervised classifiers. Finally, quantitative assay and prediction-model of selected markers were established for guarantying the quality of pollen of T. orientalis.

RESULTS

A total of 22 compounds were annotated based on comparison with previous work from pollen of T. orientalis by UHPLC-Q-TOF/MS. Citric acid and linolenic acid inhibited the thrombin activity with IC₅₀ values, 0.52 ± 0.02 and 0.51 ± 0.02 mg/mL, respectively. A bioactive-chemical marker combination including citric acid, linolenic acid, typhaneoside, and isorhamnetin-3-O-neohesperidoside were discovered and selected as quality markers for evaluation of pollen of T. orientalis according to their capacity for inhibiting thrombin.

CONCLUSION

The thrombin-based discovery strategy of bioactive-chemical marker combination was a powerful tool for screening the quality markers for evaluation of pollen of T. orientalis.

Hemostatic action of lotus leaf charcoal is probably due to transformation of flavonol aglycons from flavonol glycosides in traditional Chinses medicine

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn (lotus) leaves were empirically carbonized to enhance the hemostatic effect in traditional Chinese medicines. The mechanism of this application remains unclear.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The present study aims at exploring the transformation of phytochemical compounds in lotus leaves after heating and figuring out the phytochemical mechanism of the application of charcoal hemostatic styptics.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Raw lotus leaves were heated at 150 °C and 220 °C, respectively, and the transformation of the phytochemicals was studied. Flavonol glycosides in raw lotus leaves were found to be degraded to their corresponding aglycons in 150 °C lotus leaf charcoals (LLC) and the subsequent degradation products of aglycons in 220 °C LLC. 150 °C LLC exhibited the most desirable hemostatic effect in mice on reducing both bleeding time (BT) and clotting time (CT) by more than 30% as compared to the untreated group (P < 0.05). The extracts of 150 °C LLC were further separated by using different solvents. Ethyl acetate fraction which contained much flavonol aglycons displayed the most desirable hemostatic effect. On the contrary, petroleum ether fraction contains poor flavonoid and much alkaloid thus prolonged BT and CT. N-butanol extracts which contained only flavonol glycoside failed to shorten CT. In rats, quercetin (aglycon) standard promoted blood coagulation by shortening APTT (activated partial thromboplastin time) and increasing fibrinogen (P < 0.05). Hyperoside (glycoside) increased fibrinogen and platelet count (P < 0.05). Nuciferine was shown to prolong APTT and TT (thrombin time) and decrease fibrinogen (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Degradation of flavonoids and alkaloids in lotus leaves was suggested to enhance the hemostatic effect of LLC. Flavonol aglycons were found to be more effective on blood clotting compared with their corresponding glycosides. Nuciferine, a typical alkaloid in lotus leaves which was degraded in LLC showed anticoagulation effect in rats. The content of flavonoid aglycon can be regarded as a criterion to qualify LLC.

Typhaneoside prevents acute myeloid leukemia (AML) through suppressing proliferation and inducing ferroptosis associated with autophagy

Leukemia remains a fatal disease for most patients and effective therapeutic strategies are urgently required. Typhaneoside (TYP) is a major flavonoid in the extract of Pollen Typhae, showing significant biological and pharmacological effects. In the present study, we explored the effects of TYP on acute myeloid leukemia (AML) progression. The results indicated that TYP markedly reduced the cell viability of AML cells and arrested the cell cycle at the G2/M phase by regulating the expression of associated proteins. In addition, TYP significantly induced apoptosis in AML cells by promoting the activation of Caspase-3. Intracellular and mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation were highly detected in AML cells after treatment with TYP. Moreover, TYP clearly induced ferroptosis in AML cells, and this process was iron-dependent and attendant with mitochondrial dysfunction. We also found that TYP significantly triggered autophagy in AML cells by promoting the activation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling, contributing to ferritin degradation, ROS accumulation and ferroptotic cell death ultimately. In conclusion, the findings above provided solid evidences that TYP could be a promising therapeutic agent to prevent AML progression by inducing apoptosis, ROS production, autophagy and ferroptosis.

Modulation of the Gut Microbiota in Rats by Hugan Qingzhi Tablets during the Treatment of High-Fat-Diet-Induced Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Background

Accumulative evidence showed that gut microbiota was important in regulating the development of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Hugan Qingzhi tablet (HQT), a lipid-lowering and anti-inflammatory medicinal formula, has been used to prevent and treat NAFLD. However, its mechanism of action is unknown. The aim of this study was to confirm whether HQT reversed the gut microbiota dysbiosis in NAFLD rats.

Methods

We established an NAFLD model of rats fed with a high-fat diet (HFD), which was given different interventions, and measured the level of liver biochemical indices and inflammatory factors. Liver tissues were stained with hematoxylin-eosin and oil red O. Changes in the gut microbiota composition were analyzed using 16S rRNA sequencing.

Results

The hepatic histology and biochemical data displayed that HQT exhibited protective effects on HFD-induced rats. Moreover, HQT also reduced the abundance of the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio in HFD-fed rats and modified the gut microbial species at the genus level, increasing the abundances of gut microbiota which were reported to have an effect on relieving NAFLD, such as Ruminococcaceae, Bacteroidales_S24-7_group, Bifidobacteria, Alistipes, and Anaeroplasma, and significantly inhibiting the relative abundance of Enterobacteriaceae, Streptococcus, Holdemanella, Allobaculum, and Blautia, which were reported to be potentially related to NAFLD. Spearman's correlation analysis found that [Ruminococcus]_gauvreauii_group, Lachnoclostridium, Blautia, Allobaculum, and Holdemanella exhibited significant (p < 0.001) positive correlations with triglyceride, cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, interleukin-6, interleukin-1β, tumor necrosis factor-α, and body weight and negative correlations with high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (p < 0.001). The norank_f__Bacteroidales_S24-7_group and Alistipes showed an opposite trend. Moreover, the HQT could promote flavonoid biosynthesis compared with the HFD group.

Conclusion

In summary, the HQT has potential applications in the prevention and treatment of NAFLD, which may be closely related to its modulatory effect on the gut microbiota.

Screening of Combinatorial Quality Markers for Natural Products by Metabolomics Coupled With Chemometrics. A Case Study on Pollen Typhae

Natural products, especially for traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs), are of great importance to cure diseases. Yet it was hard to screen the influential quality markers for monitoring the quality. A simple and comprehensive strategy was developed and validated to screen for the combinatorial quality markers for precise quality evaluation and discrimination of natural products. In this study, Pollen Typhae (PT) and it's processed products carbonized PT were selected as the representative case. Firstly, metabolomics data of 49 batches crude PT and carbonized PT was obtained by ultra high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC-Q-TOF/MS). Then, metabolomics approaches were performed to screen for the potential markers that lead to the quality difference. Finally, chemometric methods were used to validate the accuracy of combinatorial quality markers. Thus, 42 compounds were identified from PT, 5 markers (isorhamnetin-3-O-(2G-α-L-rhamnosyl)-rutinoside, isorhamnetin-3-O-neohesperidoside, astragalin, kaempferol and umbelliferone) were successfully screened, identified, quantified and regarded as combinatorial quality markers for precise quality evaluation of crude and carbonized PT. It was demonstrated that the established comprehensively strategy provide an efficient tool for precise quality evaluation of natural products from the whole.

Phytochemical analysis and botanical origin of Apis mellifera bee pollen from the municipality of Canavieiras, Bahia State, Brazil

Abstract An Apis mellifera bee pollen sample from Bahia state in Brazil was studied to evaluate its botanical origin and phytochemical composition. The bee pollen sample was collected in the municipality of Canavieiras, in an area with a very high predominance of Cocos nucifera L (Aracaceae), which was identified as the major taxon (99%), thus being the possible botanical origin of this pollen. The main constituents found in the non-polar extract analysed by GC-EI-MS were saturated fatty acids and long chain esters, together with phytosterols such as ergosta-5,24(28)-dien-3-ol, campesterol and sitosterol, detected in smaller quantities. Flavonoid glycosides, as well as hydroxycinnamic acid amide derivatives were detected in the polar extract analysed by HPLC-ESI-MS/MS. The presence of flavonoid glycosides, hydroxycinnamic acid amide derivatives, fatty acids and phytosterols have been reported in many bee pollen taxa. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study of the chemical composition of bee pollen from C. nucifera , which is cultivated for its coconut fruit.

Antioxidant capacity of Typha angustifolia extracts and two active flavonoids

CONTEXT

The pollen of Typha angustifolia L. (Typhaceae) has been used as a traditional Chinese medicine for improving the microcirculation and promoting wound healing. Flavonoids are the main constituent in the plant, but little is known about the antioxidant activity of the principal constituent of the pollen in detail.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the antioxidant activities of ethanol and water extracts and two constituents of the pollen.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Plant material (1 g) was extracted by 95% ethanol and water (10 mL × 2, 1 h each), respectively. The extracted activities (0.8-2.6 mg/mL) were measured by DPPH and the reducing activity of ferric chloride (1.7-2.6 mg/mL). Typhaneoside and isorhamnetin-3-O-neohesperidoside (I3ON) (2.8-70 μmol/L) were investigated on the relationship between NO, MDA and SOD in HUVECs treated with 100 μg/mL of LPS for 24 h.

RESULTS

Nine compounds were identified by UPLC-MS. Ethanol extract showed IC₅₀ values in DPPH (39.51 ± 0.72) and Fe³⁺ reducing activity (82.76 ± 13.38), higher than the water extract (50.85 ± 0.74) and (106.33 ± 6.35), respectively. Typhaneoside and I3ON promoted cell proliferation at the respective concentration range of 2.8 to 70 μmol/L (p < 0.01). This two compounds decreased MDA (1.91 ± 0.10, 1.80 ± 0.34, p < 0.05) and NO levels (14.64 ± 0.08, 13.10 ± 0.88, p < 0.01), respectively, and increased SOD level (22.94 ± 2.48, 23.57 ± 2.38, p < 0.01) at the concentration of 70 μmol/L compared with LPS group.

CONCLUSIONS

The constituents from Typha angustifolia could be a novel therapeutic strategy for LPS-induced inflammation.

One-Step Extraction and Hydrolysis of Flavonoid Glycosides in Rape Bee Pollen Based on Soxhlet-Assisted Matrix Solid Phase Dispersion

INTRODUCTION

Flavonoids are frequently found as glycosylated derivatives in plant materials. To determine contents of flavonoid aglycones in these matrices, procedures for the extraction and hydrolysis of flavonoid glycosides are required. The current sample preparation method is both labour and time consuming.

OBJECTIVE

Develop a modified matrix solid phase dispersion (MSPD) procedure as an alternative methodology for the one-step extraction and hydrolysis of flavonoid glycosides.

METHOD

HPLC-DAD was applied for demonstrating the one-step extraction and hydrolysis of flavonoids in rape bee pollen. The obtained contents of flavonoid aglycones (quercetin, kaempferol, isorhamnetin) were used for the optimisation and validation of the method.

RESULTS

The extraction and hydrolysis were accomplished in one step. The procedure completes in 2 h with silica gel as dispersant, a 1:2 ratio of sample to dispersant, and 60% aqueous ethanol with 0.3 M hydrochloric acid as the extraction solution. The relative standard deviations (RSDs) of repeatability were less than 5%, and the recoveries at two fortified levels were between 88.3 and 104.8%.

CONCLUSION

The proposed methodology is simple and highly efficient, with good repeatability and recovery. Compared with currently available methods, the present work has advantages of using less time and labour, higher extraction efficiency, and less consumption of the acid catalyst. This method may have applications for the one-step extraction and hydrolysis of bioactive compounds from plant materials. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

The Metabolic Profiling of Isorhamnetin-3-O-Neohesperidoside Produced by Human Intestinal Flora Employing UPLC-Q-TOF/MS

Isorhamnetin-3-O-neohesperidoside is the major active substance of Puhuang, a traditional herb medicine widely used in clinical practice to tackle many chronic diseases. However, little is known about the interactions between this ingredient and intestinal flora. In this study, ultra-performance liquid chromatography/quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry together with automated data analysis software (Metabolynx™) was used for analysis of the metabolic profile of isorhamnetin-3-O-neohesperidoside by the isolated human intestinal bacteria. The parent and three metabolites isorhamnetin-3-O-glucoside, isorhamnetin and quercetin were detected and identified based on the characteristics of their deprotonated molecules. These metabolites indicated that isorhamnetin-3-O-neohesperidoside was firstly deglycosylated to isorhamnetin-3-O-glucoside and subsequently to the aglycone isorhamnetin, and the latter was demethylated to quercetin. The majority of bacteria such as Escherichia sp. 23 were capable of converting isorhamnetin-3-O-neohesperidoside to considerable amounts of aglycone isorhamnetin and further to minor amounts of quercetin, while minor amounts of isorhamnetin-3-O-glucoside were detected in minority of bacterial samples such as Enterococcus sp. 30. The metabolic pathway and metabolites of isorhamnetin-3-O-neohesperidoside by the different human intestinal bacteria were firstly investigated. Furthermore, the metabolites of isorhamnetin-3-O-neohesperidoside might influence the effects of traditional herb medicines. Thus, our study is helpful to further unravel how isorhamnetin-3-O-neohesperidoside and Puhuang work in vivo.

Hemostatic bioactivity of novel Pollen Typhae Carbonisata-derived carbon quantum dots

Background

Pollen Typhae Carbonisata (PTC) is a type of calcined herb drug that has been used as a hemostatic medicine to promote hemostasis for thousands of years. In this study, we discovered and separated novel water-soluble carbon quantum dots (CQDs, named PTC-CQDs) from aqueous extracts of PTC. These PTC-CDs were characterized using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and high-resolution TEM, as well as Fourier transform infrared, ultraviolet–visible, and fluorescence spectroscopy. Then, we assessed the anti-hemorrhagic effects and related hemostatic mechanisms of the obtained PTC-CQDs.

Results

The PTC-CQDs separated from PTC are spherical, monodisperse, and have a narrow size distribution between 2 and 8 nm. In the pharmacology experiment, remarkable anti-hemorrhage effects of PTC-CQDs were revealed. Additionally, the rats showed a profound decrease in activated partial thromboplastin time and increase in fibrinogen and PLT after PTC-CQDs treatment.

Conclusions

These results indicated the explicit hemostasis effect of PTC-CQDs, which not only provided a new idea for the material research of PTC, but have also provided new insights into potential biomedical and healthcare applications of CQDs in the field of haemorrhage control and laid a solid foundation for future drug discovery.

Quality and safety control of tumor-shrinking decoction (TSD): A Chinese herbal preparation for the treatment of uterine fibroids

Reproducible efficacy assessments of Chinese herbal medicines are largely based on well-established quality control procedures. This study presents a comprehensive quality control procedure for tumor-shrinking decoction (TSD), a 15-herb preparation under study as a potential therapy for uterine fibroids. Morphological, microscopic, and physicochemical authentications were first carried out on individual herbal medicines composing TSD. Contaminant tests on TSD for the presence of heavy metals and pesticide residues were performed by atomic absorption spectrophotometry and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis. Furthermore, batch-to-batch quality monitoring of the decoction was investigated via ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). An aqueous extract of the herbal medicines was prepared and formulated into TSD. The tested contaminants were within the maximum permitted levels of the Hong Kong government in proprietary Chinese medicines. UPLC and HPLC fingerprints for quality tracking on TSD were established. The decoction was quantitatively standardized by UPLC and HPLC, respectively, with five and three chemical compounds serving as references. Collectively, the procedure established in this study will not only serve as a fundamental basis for the investigation and development of TSD as a novel therapy for uterine fibroids, but also as a protocol for studying other polycomponent herbal preparations.

Recent progress on the traditional Chinese medicines that regulate the blood

In traditional Chinese medicine, the herbs that regulate blood play a vital role. Here, nine herbs including Typhae Pollen, Notoginseng Root, Common Bletilla Tuber, India Madder Root and Rhizome, Chinese Arborvitae Twig, Lignum Dalbergiae Oderiferae, Chuanxiong Rhizoma, Corydalis Tuber, and Motherwort Herb were selected and reviewed for their recent studies on anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory and cardiovascular effects. Besides, the analytical methods developed to qualify or quantify the active compounds of the herbs are also summarized.

Characterization and Quantification by LC-MS/MS of the Chemical Components of the Heating Products of the Flavonoids Extract in Pollen Typhae for Transformation Rule Exploration

The Traditional Chinese Medicine herbs Pollen Typhae and Pollen Typhae Carbonisatus have been used as a hemostatic medicine promoting blood clotting for thousands of years. In this study, a reliable, highly sensitive method based on LC-MS/MS has been developed for differentiation of the heating products of total flavonoids in Pollen Typhae (FPT-N). Twenty three peaks were detected and 18 peaks have been structurally identified by comparing retention times, high resolution mass spectrometry data, and fragment ions with those of the reference substances and/or literature data. Additionally, 15 compounds have been quantified by multiple reaction monitoring in the negative ionization mode. It was found that the contents of the characterized compounds differed greatly from each other in FPT-N samples. Among them, the content of huaicarbon B significantly increased at first, while it decreased after heating for 25 min, which could be considered as the characteristic component for distinguishing FPT-N. The present study provided an approach to rapidly distinguish the differences of FPT-N samples. In addition, the actively summarized characteristic fragmentation might help deducing the structure of unknown flavonols compounds. Furthermore, transformation rules of flavonoids during the heating process in carbonisatus development could contribute to hemostatic therapeutic component exploration.

Ligand Recognition of the Major Birch Pollen Allergen Bet v 1 is Isoform Dependent

Each spring millions of patients suffer from allergies when birch pollen is released into the air. In most cases, the major pollen allergen Bet v 1 is the elicitor of the allergy symptoms. Bet v 1 comes in a variety of isoforms that share virtually identical conformations, but their relative concentrations are plant-specific. Glycosylated flavonoids, such as quercetin-3-O-sophoroside, are the physiological ligands of Bet v 1, and here we found that three isoforms differing in their allergenic potential also show an individual, highly specific binding behaviour for the different ligands. This specificity is driven by the sugar moieties of the ligands rather than the flavonols. While the influence of the ligands on the allergenicity of the Bet v 1 isoforms may be limited, the isoform and ligand mixtures add up to a complex and thus individual fingerprint of the pollen. We suggest that this mixture is not only acting as an effective chemical sunscreen for pollen DNA, but may also play an important role in recognition processes during pollination.

Biogenesis of C-glycosyl flavones and profiling of flavonoid glycosides in lotus (Nelumbo nucifera)

Flavonoids in nine tissues of Nelumbo nucifera Gaertner were identified and quantified by high-performance liquid chromatography with diode array detector (HPLC-DAD) and HPLC-electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-MSn). Thirty-eight flavonoids were identified; eleven C-glycosides and five O-glycosides were discovered for the first time in N. nucifera. Most importantly, the C-glycosyl apigenin or luteolin detected in lotus plumules proved valuable for deep elucidation of flavonoid composition in lotus tissues and for further utilization as functional tea and medicine materials. Lotus leaves possessed the significantly highest amount of flavonoids (2.06E3±0.08 mg 100 g(-1) FW) and separating and purifying the bioactive compound, quercetin 3-O-glucuronide, from leaves showed great potential. In contrast, flavonoids in flower stalks, seed coats and kernels were extremely low. Simultaneously, the optimal picking time was confirmed by comparing the compound contents in five developmental phases. Finally, we proposed the putative flavonoid biosynthesis pathway in N. nucifera.

Analysis of isorhamnetin-3-O-neohesperidoside in rat plasma by liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry and its application to pharmacokinetic studies

AIM

To establish an LC-MS/MS method for determination of isorhamnetin-3-O-neohesperidoside and investigate its application on pharmacokinetic study in rats.

METHODS

Eight rats were given 5 mg·kg(-1) isorhamnetin-3-O-neohesperidoside after intravenous administration. A highly sensitive liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method was developed and validated for the determination of isorhamnetin-3-O-neohesperidosidein rat plasma using rutin as internal standard. The analytes and rutin (internal standard) were extracted with methanol followed by a rapid isocratic elution with 10 mmol·L(-1) ammonium acetate buffer/methanol (20 : 80, V/V) on a C18 column (150 mm × 2.1 mm, I.D., 5 μm) and subsequent analysis by mass spectrometry in the multi-eaction-monitoring mode.

RESULTS

The assays were linear over the concentration range of 0.01-10 μg·mL(-1) for isorhamnetin-3-O-neohesperidosidein rat plasma. The lower limit of quantifications for isorhamnetin-3-O-neohesperidoside was 0.01 μg·mL(-1).

CONCLUSION

The validated method is successfully applied to determine the plasma concentrations of isorhamnetin-3-O-neohesperidosidein in rats.

Protective effects of traditional Chinese medicine formula NaoShuanTong capsule on haemorheology and cerebral energy metabolism disorders in rats with blood stasis

NaoShuanTong capsule (NSTC), an oral traditional Chinese medicine formula, is composed of Pollen Typhae, Radix Paeoniae Rubra, Rhizoma Gastrodiae, Radix Rhapontici and Radix Curcumae. It has been widely used to treat ischemic stroke in clinic for many years in China. In addition to neuronal apoptosis, haemorheology and cerebral energy metabolism disorders also play an important role in the pathogenesis and development of ischemic stroke. The present study was designed to evaluate the in vivo protective effects of NSTC on haemorheology and cerebral energy metabolism disorders in rats with blood stasis. Sixty specific pathogen-free sprague-dawley rats, male only, were randomly divided into six groups (control group, model group, aspirin (100 mg/kg/d) group, NSTC low-dose (400 mg/kg/d) group, NSTC intermediate-dose (800 mg/kg/d) group, NSTC high-dose (1600 mg/kg/d) group) with 10 animals in each. The rats except those in the control group were placed in ice-cold water (0-4 °C) for 5 min during the time interval (4 h) of two adrenaline hydrochloride injections (0.8 mg/kg) to induce blood stasis. After treatment, whole blood viscosity at three shear rates, plasma viscosity and erythrocyte sedimentation rate significantly decreased in NSTC intermediate- and high-dose groups; erythrocyte aggregation index and red corpuscle electrophoresis index significantly decreased in all the three dose NSTC groups. Moreover, treatment with high-dose NSTC could significantly improve Na⁺-K⁺ adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) and Ca²⁺ ATPase activity, as well as lower lactic acid level in brain tissues. These results demonstrated the protective effects of NSTC on haemorheology and cerebral energy metabolism disorders, which may provide scientific information for the further understanding of mechanism(s) of NSTC as a clinical treatment for ischemic stroke. Furthermore, the protective effects of activating blood circulation as observed in this study might create valuable insight for the utilisation of NSTC to be a feasible alternative therapeutic agent for patients with blood stasis.

Evaluation of anti-inflammatory activity of Typha angustifolia pollen grains extracts in experimental animals

Objective:

This study was designed to evaluate the anti-inflammatory activity of aqueous and 70% methanolic extracts of pollen grains of Typha angustifolia.

Materials and Methods:

Female Sprague Dawley rats were used for the study. The acute anti-inflammatory activity of pollen grains of T. angustifolia was studied using the carrageenan as phlogistic agent, whereas its chronic anti-inflammatory effect was investigated by the percentage inhibition of cotton pellet-induced granuloma.

Results:

Both aqueous and 70% methanolic extracts of pollen grains of T. angustifolia showed significant dose-dependent inhibition of carrageenan-induced paw edema as compared to the control (P<0.001). It was observed that both the extracts at dose of 125 mg/kg inhibited the granuloma formation by 44.30% which is higher than at dose of 500, 250 mg/kg, thus causing a significant (P<0.001) non-dose-related inhibition of granuloma formation.

Conclusion:

The results of this study indicate that extracts of pollen grains of T. angustifolia are effective in the treatment of both acute and chronic inflammatory conditions and thus support its traditional utilization.

Chemical fingerprinting and quantitative constituent analysis of Siwu decoction categorized formulae by UPLC-QTOF/MS/MS and HPLC-DAD

BACKGROUND

Siwu decoction categorized formulae (SWDCF) are widely used for treating gynecological diseases. This study aims to elucidate the differences of bioactive constituents in SWDCF by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled with time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC - QTOF - MS /MS) and HPLC-DAD.

METHODS

An efficient method based on UPLC - QTOF - MS /MS was developed for identifying the chemical profiles of SWDCF. HPLC-DAD method was used for quantifying seven chemical markers in SWDCF.

RESULTS

Eighty four components were identified or characterized, including ten organic acids, thirty glycosides (monoterpene or iridoid or phenylpropanoids glycosides), fourteen lactones, eighteen flavonoids, and eleven alkaloids in the complex system. The datasets of tR-m/z pairs, ion intensities and sample codes were processed with supervised orthogonal partial least squared discriminant analysis to compare these decoction samples. After a clear classification was established, OPLS-DA was performed and 16 common components with relative quantity in SWDCF samples were determined. Gallic acid, protocatechuic acid, vanillic acid, caffeic acid, paeoniflorin, ferulic acid, and senkyunolide I were selected as the chemical markers to identify SWDCF by HPLC-DAD.

CONCLUSION

The chemical profiles with 84 components in SWDCF, including monoterpene glycosides, acetophenones, galloyl glucoses, even some isomers in the complex system were characterized by UPLC-QTOF-MS/MS.

The determination of flavonoids in Wikstroemia indica C. A. Mey. by liquid chromatography with photo-diode array detection and negative electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry

RATIONALE

Flavonoids in the medicinal plant Wikstroemia indica C. A. Mey. are present in trace amounts and found in complex matrices. An efficient and sensitive method is necessary for the rapid identification of such biomolecules.

METHODS

Flavonoids were extracted with methanol via ultrasonic-assisted extraction and analyzed by liquid chromatography with photo-diode array detection and tandem mass spectrometry. The extract was analyzed and compounds were identified using negative electrospray ionization data-dependent tandem mass spectrometry.

RESULTS

The results confirmed the presence of three flavonoid compounds, seven biflavonoid compounds, and one coumarin-like compound, daphnoretin, in the extracts of different plant parts of W. indica. The method detection limit was evaluated down to 5 µg/g using kaempfol as a reference standard.

CONCLUSIONS

The proposed method offers a rapid and reliable analysis for the determination of flavonoids in medicinal plants.

Determination of typhaneoside in rat plasma by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

A highly sensitive liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method was developed and validated for the determination of typhaneoside in rat plasma using rutin as internal standard. The analyte and rutin (internal standard) were extracted with methanol followed by a rapid isocratic elution with 10 mM ammonium acetate buffer/methanol (v:v, 20:80) on an C(18) column (150 mm × 2.1 mm I.D.) and subsequent analysis by mass spectrometry in the multi-reaction-monitoring mode. The precursor to product ion transitions of m/z 769.3 → 314.1 and m/z 609.2 → 300.1 were used to measure the analyte and the internal standard. The assay was linear over the concentration range of 0.01-10 μg/mL for typhaneoside in rat plasma. The lower limit of quantification was 0.01 μg/mL and the extraction recovery was larger than 90.2% for typhaneoside. The inter- and intra-day precision of the method at three concentrations was less than 6.8%. The method was firstly applied to pharmacokinetic study of typhaneoside in rats.

Palynological origin, phenolic content, and antioxidant properties of honeybee-collected pollen from Bahia, Brazil

The aim of this study was to determine the palynological origin, phenolic and flavonoid content, and antioxidant properties of twenty-five samples of bee pollen harvested during a nine-month period (February-November) from the Canavieiras municipality (northeastern Brazil). Of the 25 samples analyzed, only two (February 01 and 02) were heterofloral. The predominant pollens in the samples analyzed during that month were: Cecropia, Eucalyptus, Elaeis, Mimosa pudica, Eupatorium, and Scoparia. Ethyl acetate fractions were analyzed by HPLC-DAD. The flavonoids isoquercetin, myricetin, tricetin, quercetin, luteolin, selagin, kaempferol, and isorhamnetin were detected. The flavonoid present in all 22 samples was isolated and identified as isorhamnetin 3-O-b-neohesperidoside. The total phenolic contents determined using the Folin-Ciocalteu reagent ranged from 41.5 to 213.2 mg GAE/g. Antioxidant activities based on the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2-azinobis 3-ethylbenzothiozoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS), and Fe2+ ion chelating activity assays were observed for all extracts, and correlated with the total phenolic content.