Cross-mixing study of a poisonous Cestrum species, Cestrum diurnum in herbal raw material by chemical fingerprinting using LC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS

Anti-inflammation activity of Zhizi Jinhua Pills and overall quality consistency evaluation based on integrated HPLC, DSC and electrochemistry fingerprints

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Zhizi Jinhua Pills (ZZJHP), a compound preparation composed of 8 traditional Chinese medicines (TCM), is widely used clinically to clearing heat, purging fire, cooling blood and detoxifying. However, the studies on its pharmacological activity and the determination of active compounds are relatively few. There is a lack of quality control methods that can reflect the effectiveness of the drug.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The objective was to construct fingerprint profiles, conduct a spectrum-effect relationship study and establish an overall quality control method for ZZJHP through anti-inflammatory and redox activity studies.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Firstly, anti-inflammatory activity was tested using the xylene-induced ear edema model in mice. Then, Five-wavelength fusion HPLC fingerprint, electrochemical fingerprint, and Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) profiling were established to evaluate ZZJHP more comprehensively, where Euclidean quantified fingerprint method (EQFM) was proposed for the similarity assessment of these three fingerprints. Moreover, the spectrum-activity relationship of HPLC-FP and DSC-FP with electrochemical activity helped explore the active components or ranges in the fingerprint. Finally, integrated analysis of HPLC, DSC and electrochemistry were used for the quality screen of samples from different manufacturers.

RESULTS

ZZJHP was found to significantly decrease the levels of both TNF-α and IL-6 in the mice. Qualitatively, the integrated similarity S_m of 21 samples were all greater than 0.9, indicating the great consistency in chemical composition. Quantitatively, 9 batches of samples were classified as Grade1∼4; 6 batches of samples were classified as Grade5∼7 due to higher P_INT; 6 batches of samples were classified as Grade4∼5 due to lower P_INT. EQFM can qualitatively and quantitatively characterize the fingerprint profile information from an overall perspective.

CONCLUSIONS

This strategy will contribute to the quantitative characterization of TCM and promote the application of fingerprint technology in the phytopharmacy field.

Analgesic, anti-inflammatory and NF-κB inhibitory activity of aerial parts of Cestrum diurnum

Background

Cestrum diurnum L. (Solanaceae), locally known as buno-Hasnahena, is widely used in different traditional medicinal practices to treat pain, burn, swelling and related disorders. Adequate evidence is not available to support its medicinal properties for further use and drug development. Present study was designed to evaluate its traditional use in pain and inflammation with further characterisation of its chemical constituents through liquid chromatography-mass spectroscopic (LC-MS) analysis.

Methods

Antinociceptive and analgesic potential of methanol extract of the aerial parts of C. diurnum was carried out using carrageenan induced paw oedema and formalin induced paw licking test in mice at the oral doses of 150 and 300 mg/kg body weight. Inhibition of the inflammatory mediator nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) was evaluated by tumour necrosis factor α (TNF-α) induced NF-κB activation assay in macrophage cells at the concentration of 100 μg/ml. LC-MS analysis of the extract was performed to characterise the active component responsible for bioactivities.

Results

The extract significantly inhibited (p < 0.05) carrageenan induced paw oedema at both doses tested and the effect persisted throughout the entire experimental period of 3 h with the highest activity (50% inhibition) observed at 3rd h. Further, the extract significantly inhibited (p < 0.05) formalin induced paw licking both in the early and late phase at the aforementioned dose levels. The extract also downregulated the expression of NF-κB p65 protein in the TNF-α induced NF-κB activation assay. LC-MS analysis of the extract indicated the presence of some important secondary metabolites including nicotine, nornicotine, ursolic acid, vitamin D3 and its derivatives.

Conclusions

The results of this study supported the folkloric uses of the plant in pain and inflammations. The insights and observations suggest the action might involve downregulation of NF-κB p65 protein expression and/or inhibition of autacoids (histamine, serotonin, prostaglandin).