Phenylpropanoids from Taraxacum mongolicum

Application of UHPLC/ESI-Q-TOF-MS/MS to Identify Constituents of Erding Granule and Anti-hyperuricemia Effect

Background:

Erding granule (EDG) widely used as an agent with the effect of heat-clearing, detoxifying, eliminating dampness, relieving jaundice and upper respiratory tract disease in clinical application, but the systematic chemical information and anti-hyperuricemia effect of EDG was still unclear.

Methods:

An ultra-high performance liquid chromatography combined with electrospray ionization quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC/ESI-Q-TOF-MS/MS) method was utilized to rapidly identify the chemical constituents of EDG. The anti-hyperuricemia effect of EDG was evaluated based on the effect on xanthine oxidase inhibitory activity (in vitro) and lowering uric acid (in vivo).

Results:

198 compounds were tentatively separated and identified or characterized within 30 min by UHPLC/ESI-Q-TOF MS/MS. These compounds were categorized as 22 coumarins, 38 flavones, 67 alkaloids, 36 organic acids, 16 sesquiterpenes, 14 lignans and 5 the others constituents. Meanwhile, EDG significantly decreases the serum urate level of hyperuricemic mice induced by potassium oxonate, while EDG did not significantly decrease the serum urate level of hyperuricemic mice induced by hypoxanthine and activity of xanthine oxidase in vitro.

Conclusion:

The method developed was rapid and sensitive to characterize the chemical constituents of EDG, and provide a systematic view of chemical information for EDG. Furthermore, we first discovered the anti-hyperuricemia effect of EDG and it would further provide the reference for clarifying the mechanism of EDG on lowering uric acid.

Taraxacum officinale and related species-An ethnopharmacological review and its potential as a commercial medicinal plant

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Dandelion (Taraxacum spec) is a wild plant that has been used for centuries as a traditional medicine in the relief and treatment of several diseases. This use is due to the presence of sesquiterpenes, saponins, phenolic compounds, flavonoids, and sugars, among others, found in the organs of the plant.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The aim of this work is to provide a current review of developments and trends in research on the Taraxacum genus, with a focus on traditional uses and pharmacological properties. This should shed light on the potential of this plant as an attractive commercial herbal medicine.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Documents were collected, analyzed, and classified for information regarding medical, agronomic, genetic, and biological aspects of the Taraxacum species. This process was based on a thorough search of documents indexed by scientific search engines.

RESULTS

Two important periods of research on Taraxacum have been identified: the first, between 1930 and 1950; and the second, from 1990 to today. During the former, agricultural and genetics research on this plant were, due to the shortage of natural rubber, the focus. In contrast, the main drive in Taraxacum research is now the recovery of bioactives and/or applications in medicine. Pharmacology is the main area in which these plants have been tested, thanks in part to its widely known traditional uses; however, there is less than enthusiastic interest in further human clinical trials. In other areas, Taraxacum sports an enormous list of compounds of industrial interest; and while it is true that only a small amount of these compounds is immediately available in Taraxacum organs and makes it relatively commercially unattractive, only scarce efforts have been made to improve yields. Compounding this issue, most studies of its growth and cultivation have been focused mainly on controlling it as a weed detrimental to certain industrial crops. To wit, in spite of all the research carried out, less than 1% of all the species identified so far (>2500) have been studied (including Taraxacum officinale, Taraxacum coreanum, Taraxacum mongolicum and Taraxacum platycarpum). This is a indication of the little knowledge that we have about this genus so far. Biotechnology (involving genetics, agriculture, and biology) is the most powerful means by which to take advantage of all the medicinal potential of Taraxacum. Great strides have been made in identifying metabolic pathways for synthesizing terpenes, one of the most important compound families in clinical applications. In order to improve yield and performance of the plant in the field, greenhouse cultivation is another aspect taken into account, deriving an increase in recovery of bioactives from Taraxacum organs. Even while considering that only a few species have been studied, their different biochemical and cultivation profiles indicate huge potential for qualitative improvements in composition through genetic engineering, thus directly impacting pharmacological properties.

CONCLUSIONS

Taraxacum is has been traditionally considered a natural remedy, well-inserted into popular knowledge, but with low commercial applicability. Only once the recovery of pure and highly reactive compounds can be pursued at (a qualitatively and quantitatively attractive) economical scale, human clinical trials would be of interest in order to prove their efficacy and safety, positioning Taraxacum as an important commercial source of natural drugs.