A sensitive liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry method for simultaneous determination of alisol A and alisol A 24-acetate from Alisma orientale (Sam.) Juz. in rat plasma

Pharmacokinetic and tissue distribution analysis of bioactive compounds from Fuke Qianjin capsules in rats by a validated UPLCMS/MS method

Fuke Qianjin capsules (FKQJ) exhibit obvious advantages and characteristics in the treatment of pelvic inflammatory disease. At present, information regarding the in vivo process of FKQJ is lacking, which has become a bottleneck in further determining the therapeutic effect of this traditional Chinese medicine. In the present study, a sensitive, simple and reliable method was developed and validated for the simultaneous quantification of 12 main components (4 flavonoids, 4 alkaloids, 2 phthalides and 2 diterpene lactones) in plasma and seven tissues of rats to study the pharmacokinetic and distribution characteristics of these components in vivo by using ultra performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) for the first time. Plasma and tissue were prepared by protein precipitation with acetonitrile and methanol, followed by its separation on a Waters Acquity UPLC BEH C18 column. The quantification was performed via multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) by a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer under positive electrospray ionization (ESI) mode. The method was validated to demonstrate its selectivity, linearity, accuracy, precision, recovery, matrix effect and stability. For 12 analytes, the low limit of quantification (LLOQs) reached 0.005-2.44 ng/mL, and all calibration curves showed good linearity (r2 ≥ 0.990) in linear ranges. The intra-day and inter-day precision (relative standard deviation) for all analytes was less than 14.96%, and the accuracies were in the range of 85.29%-114.97%. Extraction recoveries and matrix effects of analytes were acceptable. The pharmacokinetic results showed that the main components could be absorbed quickly, had a short residence time, and were eliminated quickly in vivo. At different time points, the 12 components were widely distributed with uneven characteristics in the body, which tended to be distributed in the liver, kidney and lung and to a lesser extent in the uterus, brain and heart. The pharmacokinetic process and tissue distribution characteristics of FKQJ were expounded in this study, which can provide a scientific theory for in-depth development of FKQJ and guide FKQJ use in the clinic.

Potential of alisols as cancer therapeutic agents: Investigating molecular mechanisms, pharmacokinetics and metabolism

Albeit remarkable achievements in anti-cancer endeavors, the prevention and treatment of cancer remain unresolved challenges. Hence, there is an urgent need to explore new and efficacious natural compounds with potential anti-cancer therapeutic agents. One such group of compounds is alisols, tetracyclic triterpene alcohols extracted from alisma orientale. Alisols play a significant role in cancer therapy as they can suppress cancer cell proliferation and migration by regulating signaling pathways such as mTOR, Bax/Bcl-2, CHOP, caspase, NF-kB and IRE1. Pharmacokinetic studies showed that alisols can be absorbed entirely, rapidly, and evenly distributed in vivo. Moreover, alisols are low in toxicity and relatively safe to take. Remarkably, each alisol can be converted into many compounds with different pathways to their anti-cancer effects in the body. Thus, alisols are regarded as promising anti-cancer agents with minimal side effects and low drug resistance. This review will examine and discuss alisols' anti-cancer molecular mechanism, pharmacokinetics and metabolism. Based on a comprehensive analysis of nearly 20 years of research, we evaluate the therapeutic potential of alisols for various types of cancer and offer insights and strategies for developing new cancer treatments.

An UPLC - Q - Orbitrap method for pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution of four triterpenoids in rats after oral administration of Poria cocos ethanol extracts

Poria cocos (Schw.) Wolf, is a fungus that is widely used as medicine and dietary supplement in China. But its action mechanism is still not very clear. In this paper, a rapid, specific and sensitive high performace liquid chromatography coupled with hybrid quadrupole - orbitrap mass sepctrometry (UPLC - Q - Orbitrap MS) method has been developed and validated to simultaneously determine of four triterpenoids including Dehydrotumulosic acid (DTA), Dehydropachymic acid (DPA), Pachymic acid (PA), Dehydrotrametenolic acid (DMA) from Poria cocos in rat plasma and tissues. The analyte was extracted from rat plasma and tissue homogenates by protein precipitation with acetonitrile using glibenclamide as the internal standard (IS). Chromatographic separation was carried out on ACQUITY UPLC BEH - C₁₈ column (2.1 mm × 50 mm, 1.7 μm) with a mobile phase composed of acetonitrile - water (containing 1.0 mmol/L ammonium acetate) using gradient elution at a flow rate of 0.2 mL/min. Electrospray ionization (ESI ^-) under negative ion mode was used, and its quantization was performed with multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode. The method was fully validated and successfully applied to pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution study in rats after oral administration of ethanol extracts of Poria cocos. Compared with that of plasma exporsure, triterpenoids could be detected in various tissues with a relatively high degree of tissue distribution. After oral administration, the concentration orders in seven different tissues were ranked as DTA > PA > DPA > DMA in intestine and stomach, wheras DTA > DMA > PA > DPA in heart, liver, spleen, lung and kidney tissues, which is speculated that DPA, PA may be converted into DMA in vivo. In conclusion, this results may provide a material basis for study of the pharmacological actions of triterpenoids in Poria cocos.

Rapid screening for natural lipase inhibitors from Alisma orientale combining high-performance thin-layer chromatography-bioautography with mass spectrometry

Lipase inhibitors are an attractive class of hypolipidemic compounds, which inhibit the activity of human pancreatic lipase, thereby preventing the absorption of triglycerides in vivo. As a library of promising lead compounds for drug development, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has gained growing attention in quick discovery and identification of enzyme inhibitors of natural-origin. The purpose of this work was to discover unknown lipase inhibitors from Alisma orientale by the activity oriented analysis method thin-layer chromatography-bioautography, then use electrospray ionization mass spectrometry technology via the elution based TLC-MS interface to identify their structures. As a result, eleven natural lipase inhibitors from Alisma orientale extracts were identified based on molecular mass and fragment ions obtained by HPTLC-MS, and further confirmed by a series of complementary means including UV spectra, ¹H NMR characteristic proton signals and polarity of compounds, eleven lipase inhibitors were tentatively assigned as triterpenoids: alisol B (m/z 495.50 [M + Na]⁺), alisol B 23-acetate (m/z 537.58 [M + Na]⁺), 11-deoxy-alisol B (m/z 479.50 [M + Na]⁺), 11-deoxy-alisol B 23-acetate (m/z 521.50 [M + Na]⁺), alisol A/epialisol A (m/z 513.50 [M + Na]⁺), 16-oxo-11-deoxy-alisol A (m/z 511.50 [M + Na]⁺), 16-oxo-alisol A (527.50 [M + Na] ⁺), alisol C (m/z 509.58 [M + Na]⁺), alisol C 23-acetate (m/z 551.50 [M + Na]⁺), alisol M 23-acetate (m/z 567.50 [M + Na]⁺), and alismanol Q/neoalisol (m/z 493.42 [M + Na]⁺). The integrated approach is an efficient method for rapid screening lipase inhibitors from complex plant extracts and provides a reasonable and favorable basis for the identification and separation of other enzymatic system and other important compounds with therapeutic values.

The Hypolipidemic Effect of Active Components in the Decoction of Alisma Orientale and their Chemical Structures Characterized by LC-QTOF-MS/MS

Background:

The decoction of Alisma orientale is used as a traditional medicine for the treatment of hyperlipidemia in China with a long clinical history. The present study undertook a detailed investigation to compare the hypolipidemic effect and chemical composition of two extracts of Alisma orientale prepared by boiling water and organic reagent, respectively.

Methods:

The hyperlipidemic mice were induced by administration of a High-Fat Diet (HFD) for one month. The body weight of mice and the serum Cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), Superoxide Dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), aspartate Aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels were determined. Meanwhile, the chemical constituents of the extracts were characterized using liquid chromatography-quadrupole time of flight mass spectrometry (LC-QTOF-MS/MS).

Results:

The better hypolipidemic effect was observed in mice administered with the decoction compared to that of methanol extract. In addition, the liver protective effects were confirmed by the photographs stained with oil red lipid stain. As for the chemical constituents in the extracts, twenty major components were identified or characterized using LC-QTOF-MS/MS. Among them, eight oligopeptides were characterized for the first time and proved to only exist in the decoction of Alisma orientale.

Conclusion:

It is reasonable to assume that the oligopeptides may partially contribute to the hypolipidemic effect of Alisma orientale. The structural characterization procedures also provide a suitable method to analyze oligopeptide analogues in plant samples.

Simultaneous Determination of Four Iridoid Glycosides from Paederia Scandens in Rat Plasma by LC-MS/MS and its Application to a Pharmacokinetic Study

Background:

Paederia scandens (Lour.) Merrill, belonging to the Rubiaceae family, was one of the Traditional Chinese Medicines that has been generally used to treat aches and pains, inflammation, bacillary dysentery, piles and rheumatic arthritis. The four iridoid glycosides that Paederosidic acid, Paederoside, Paederosidic acid methyl ester, and Asperuloside from Paederia scandens are considered to be the main bioactive constituents. However, their pharmacokinetics and action mechanisms of these iridoid glycosides still remain unknown. In this study, a method of simultaneous determination of four iridoid glycosides components in rat plasma with LC-MS/MS has been established and successfully applied to a pharmacokinetic study in rats, which would be favourable for further exploration.

Methods:

In this study, a sensitive, rapid, accurate bioanalytical method of simultaneous determination of four iridoid glycosides components from Paederia scandens extract in rat plasma with LCMS/ MS has been established. It is easy and rapid for LC-MS/MS to accurately separate and simultaneously quantify the analytes because of its high sensitivity, selectivity and accuracy. This validated method was successfully applied to a pharmacokinetic study in rats with intravenous and oral administrations of Paederia scandens extract.

Results:

The resulting data are fully satisfied for the selectivity and the sensitivity. Their lower limit of quantitation are in 0.25-0.5 ng/mL. Intra- and interday precisions were less than 15.0% with accuracy in the range of -15.0% to 15.0%. In the stability measurements including repeated Freeze-thaw, 4 hours at 4°C, 24 hours at 4°C, and 30 days at -80°C, the variations between the measurements and the nominated values of these compounds in plasma were detected to be less than 15.0%. The extraction recoveries of the compounds were from 85.4% to 105.6%. The bioavailability (F) of the four iridoid glycosides were 1.74% to 3.36%.

Conclusion:

In summary, a simple, rapid, precise, and sensitive LC-MS/MS method has been established and validated to determine the four iridoid glycosides from Paederia scandens extract in rat plasma, which was successfully applied to pharmacokinetic study in rats. The information obtained from the study will facilitate further exploration on Paederosidic acid, Paederoside, Paederosidic acid methyl ester as well as Asperuloside and these may provide valuable pharmacokinetic reference for human applications.

Target Identification of Active Constituents of Shen Qi Wan to Treat Kidney Yang Deficiency Using Computational Target Fishing and Network Pharmacology

Background: Kidney yang deficiency syndrome (KYDS) is one of the most common syndromes treated with traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) among elderly patients. Shen Qi Wan (SQW) has been effectively used in treating various diseases associated with KYDS for hundreds of years. However, due to the complex composition of SQW, the mechanism of action remains unknown.

Purpose: To identify the mechanism of the SQW in the treatment of KYDS and determine the molecular targets of SQW.

Methods: The potential targets of active ingredients in SQW were predicted using PharmMapper. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses were carried out using the Molecule Annotation System (MAS3.0). The protein–protein interaction (PPI) network of these potential targets and “components-targets-pathways” interaction networks were constructed using Cytoscape. We also established a KYDS rat model induced by adenine to investigate the therapeutic effects of SQW. Body weight, rectal temperature, holding power, water intake, urinary output, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine (Scr), adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH), cortisol (CORT), urine total protein (U-TP), and 17-hydroxy-corticosteroid (17-OHCS) were measured. Additionally, the mRNA expression levels of candidates were detected by qPCR.

Results: KYDS-caused changes in body weight, rectal temperature, holding power, water intake, urinary output, BUN, Scr, ACTH, CORT, U-TP, and 17-OHCS were corrected to the baseline values after SQW treatment. We selected the top 10 targets of each component and obtained 79 potential targets, which were mainly enriched in the proteolysis, protein binding, transferase activity, T cell receptor signaling pathway, and focal adhesion. SRC, MAPK14, HRAS, HSP90AA1, F2, LCK, CDK2, and MMP9 were identified as targets of SQW in the treatment of KYDS. The administration of SQW significantly suppressed the expression of SRC, HSP90AA1, LCK, and CDK2 and markedly increased the expression of MAPK14, MMP9, and F2. However, HRAS levels remained unchanged.

Conclusion: These findings demonstrated that SQW corrected hypothalamic–pituitary–target gland axis disorder in rats caused by KYDS. SRC, MAPK14, HRAS, HSP90AA1, F2, LCK, CDK2, and MMP9 were determined to the therapeutic target for the further investigation of SQW to ameliorate KYDS.

An integrated approach to uncover quality marker underlying the effects of Alisma orientale on lipid metabolism, using chemical analysis and network pharmacology

BACKGROUND

Quality control of traditional Chinese medicines is currently a great concern, due to the correlation between the quality control indicators and clinic effect is often questionable. According to the "multi-components and multi-targets" property of TCMs, a new special quality and bioactivity evaluation system is urgently needed.

PURPOSE

Present study adopted an integrated approach to provide new insights relating to uncover quality marker underlying the effects of Alisma orientale (AO) on lipid metabolism.

METHODS

In this paper, guided by the concept of the quality marker (Q-marker), an integrated strategies "effect-compound-target-fingerprint" was established to discovery and screen the potential quality marker of AO based on network pharmacology and chemical analysis. Firstly, a bioactivity evaluation was performed to screen the main active fractions. Then the chemical compositions were rapidly identified by chemical analysis. Next, networks were constructed to illuminate the interactions between these component and their targets for lipid metabolism, and the potential Q-marker of AO was initially screened. Finally, the activity of the Q-markers was validated in vitro.

RESULTS

50% ethanol extract fraction was found to have the strongest lipid-lowering activity. Then, the network pharmacology was used to clarify the unique relationship between the Q-markers and their integral pharmacological action.

CONCLUSION

Combined with the results obtained, five active ingredients in the 50% ethanol extract fraction were given special considerations to be representative Q-markers: Alisol A, Alisol B, Alisol A 23-acetate, Alisol B 23-acetate and Alisol A 24-acetate, respectively. The chromatographic fingerprints based Q-marker was establishment. The integrated Q-marker screen may offer an alternative quality assessment of herbal medicines.

Simultaneous determination of three triterpenes in rat plasma by LC-MS/MS and its application to a pharmacokinetic study of Rhizoma Alismatis extract

We have developed a sensitive and specific LC-MS/MS method for the simultaneous determination of alisol A (A), alisol A 23-acetate (A23) and alisol A 24-acetate (A24), the major active components in Rhizoma Alismatis extract (RAE), in rat plasma. In brief, plasma samples were extracted by methyl tert-butyl ether and chromatographically separated by using a C18 column. A tandem mass spectrometric detection with an electrospray ionization (ESI) interface was conducted via multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) under positive ionization mode. This method was validated for specificity, linearity, accuracy (within ±15.4%), intra- and inter-day precision (CV<11.4%) over the concentration range of 25-5000ng/mL for A, and 5-1000ng/mL for both A23 and A24. The significantly lower detection limit was determined as 25ng/mL for A, 5ng/mL for A23 and A24. This validated method of ours was then used to study the pharmacokinetics of RAE in rat. The elimination half-lives (t1/2) of A, A23 and A24 was determined as 0.75, 0.83 and 0.82h respectively after intravenous injection, and the oral absolute bioavailability of A, A23 and A24 was 43.1±18.1%, 6.3±1.5% and 7.9±1.2%. This new determination method of us for alisols is proven to very useful to study the pharmacological activities of RAE in future.

Simultaneous determination of four active components in Alisma orientale (Sam.) Juz. by HPLC-DAD using a single reference standard

A rapid, simple and practical high-performance liquid chromatography method coupled with diode array detector (HPLC-DAD) was developed to evaluate the quality of Alisma orientale (Sam.) Juz. through a simultaneous determination of four major active triterpenes using a single standard to determine the multi-components (SSDMCs). Alisol B 23-acetate was selected as the reference compound for calculating the relative response factors. All calibration curves showed good linearity (R2>0.9998) within test ranges. RSDs for intra- and inter-day of four analytes were less than 3.6% and 2.3%; the overall recovery was 92.1-110.2% (SSDMC). The proposed method was successfully applied to quantify the four components in 20 samples from different localities in China. Moreover, significant variations were demonstrated in the content of these compounds. In addition, hierarchical clustering analysis (HCA) and principal components analysis (PCA) were performed to differentiate and classify the samples based on the contents of Alisol C 23-acetate, Alisol A, Alisol A 24-acetate and Alisol B 23-acetate. This simple, rapid, low-cost and reliable HPLC-DAD method using SSDMC is suitable for routine quantitative analysis and quality control of A. orientale (Sam.) Juz.

Traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology, toxicology and quality control of Alisma orientale (Sam.) Juzep: a review

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Rhizoma alismatis (simplified as RA, "Zexie" in Chinese, ) is a well-known natural medicine with long history in Chinese medicine. As a traditional medicine in China, RA is an important part of many prescriptions and has been commonly used for treating a wide range of ailments related to dysuria, edema, nephropathy, hyperlipidaemia, diabetes, inflammation as well as tumor in clinical applications. Based on scientific literatures, the present paper aims to provide comprehensive and up-to date information about the traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology, toxicology and quality control of RA as well as critical analysis of the research. The review will provide a new foundation and direction for the further studies of RA.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

All available information about RA was supplied by library database and electronic search (ScienceDirect, Web of Science, Pubmed, Google Scholar, etc.). The different types of useful information were collected and arranged in corresponding part of the paper.

RESULTS

Phytochemical studies showed that the main chemical composition of RA was the terpenoid including sesquiterpene, diterpene and triterpene. The crude extracts and isolated compounds from RA showed diverse pharmacological activities including diuretic, nephroprotective, anti-hyperlipidemic, anti-atherosclerotic, anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative activities. However, high-dose or long-term use of RA can lead to water-electrolyte imbalance, bloody urine, acidosis and even hepatotoxicity or nephrotoxicity, which have been proven by several studies.

CONCLUSIONS

Pharmacological researches show RA possessing various bioactivities including diuresis, nephroprotective effect, anti-hyperlipidemia, etc. However, more bioactive components especially diuretic and nephroprotective compounds need to be isolated and identified, and more rigorous researches on action mechanisms are required. More experiments in vitro or in vivo and clinical studies are encouraged to clarify correlation between traditional uses and modern applications, and the toxicity need to be further and precisely explored. In addition, a standardized fingerprint for RA is indispensable and emergent. These achievements will further expand to therapeutic potential and usage of RA and provide a powerful support for clinical use.

A UFLC-MS/MS method with a switching ionization mode for simultaneous quantitation of polygalaxanthone III, four ginsenosides and tumulosic acid in rat plasma: application to a comparative pharmacokinetic study in normal and Alzheimer's disease rats

A fast, sensitive and reliable ultra fast liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UFLC-MS/MS) method has been developed and validated for simultaneous quantitation of polygalaxanthone III (POL), ginsenoside Rb1 (GRb1), ginsenoside Rd (GRd), ginsenoside Re (GRe), ginsenoside Rg1 (GRg1) and tumulosic acid (TUM) in rat plasma after oral administration of Kai-Xin-San, which plays an important role for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The plasma samples were extracted by liquid-liquid extraction using ethyl acetate-isopropanol (1:1, v/v) with salidrdoside as internal standard (IS). Good chromatographic separation was achieved using gradient elution with the mobile phase consisting of methanol and 0.01% acetic acid in water. The tandem mass spectrometric detection was performed in multiple reaction monitoring mode on 4000Q UFLC-MS/MS system with turbo ion spray source in a negative and positive switching ionization mode. The lower limits of quantification were 0.2-1.5 ng/ml for all the analytes. Both intra-day and inter-day precision and accuracy of analytes were well within acceptance criteria (±15%). The mean absolute extraction recoveries of analytes and IS from rat plasma were all more than 60.0%. The validated method has been successfully applied to comparing pharmacokinetic profiles of analytes in normal and AD rat plasma. The results indicated that no significant differences in pharmacokinetic parameters of GRe, GRg1 and TUM were observed between the two groups, while the absorption of POL and GRd in AD group were significantly higher than those in normal group; moreover, the GRb1 absorbed more rapidly in model group. The different characters of pharmacokinetics might be caused by pharmacological effects of the analytes.

A sensitive liquid chromatographic-mass spectrometric method for simultaneous quantification of six iridoid glycosides from Zhi-zi-chi Decoction in rat plasma and its application to a pharmacokinetic study

A sensitive liquid chromatographic-mass spectrometric (LC-MS) method was developed and validated for simultaneous determination of geniposide, geniposidic acid, scandoside methyl ester, gardenoside, deacetyl asperulosidic acid methyl ester and genipin-1-β-gentiobioside after oral administration of Zhi-zi-chi Decoction in rat plasma. The six iridoid glycosides were extracted from plasma samples by protein precipitation, and then separated on an Apollo C18 column (250 mm × 4.6mm, 5 μm) through the application of a gradient elution. The analytes were monitored in positive electrospray ionization by selected ion monitoring mode (SIM). The lower limits of quantitation (LLOQ) of the six analytes were all lower than 6 ng/mL. The accuracy (relative error, RE%) was between -7.0% and 9.9%, while the intra- and inter-day precisions (relative standard deviation, RSD%) were less than 6.3% and 9.8% for the six analytes, respectively. The developed method was successfully applied to a comparative pharmacokinetic study of the six iridoids in rat plasma after oral administration of Zhi-zi-chi Decoction and Gardenia jasminoides extract.

Study on the hypoglycemic activities and metabolism of alcohol extract of Alismatis Rhizoma

The Alisma rhizoma is widely used in the therapy of diabetes in traditional folk medicine of China. Compositional analysis of the alcohol extract of Alismatis Rhizoma (AEA) revealed that the eight compounds gotten from AEA are all belonging to protostane-type triterpenes. The AEA and compounds were incubated with 3T3-L1 preadipocytes, glucose level in the 3T3-L1 adipocytes culture medium and lipid content in 3T3-L1 adipocytes were measured, and analysis of alpha-glucosidase inhibition of AEA and compounds. At the same time, the uptake of AEA by 3T3-L1 adipocytes and the metabolism of AEA in SD rats were analyzed by HPLC-ESI/MS. As result, AEA increased glucose uptake in 3T3-L1 adipocyte model, not increase adipogenesis; AEA inhibited alpha-glucosidase activity; alisol A-24-aceate (8) was absorbed by 3T3-L1 adipocytes; and two compounds were detected in blood and three were detected in urine in SD rats. So AEA had protostane-type triterpenes, these type compounds in AEA may have hypoglycemic activity via inhibition of alpha-glucosidase activity and promotion of glucose uptake. In contrast to the anti-diabetic drug thiazolidinediones, they did not induce adipogenesis, avoiding the displeased effects of rosiglitazone.