Comprehensive analysis of the phospholipids and phytosterols in Schisandra chinensis oil by UPLC-Q/TOF- MSE

Screening of Q-markers for the wine-steamed Schisandra chinensis decoction pieces in improving allergic asthma

BACKGROUND

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) posits that Chinese medicinal materials can only be clinically used after being processed and prepared into decoction pieces. Schisandra Chinensis Fructus (derived from the dried and mature fruits of Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.) Baill.) has been used as a traditional antiasthmatic, kidney strengthening, and hepatoprotective agent for 2000 years. The results of previous research show that decoction pieces of wine-steamed Schisandra chinensis (WSC) are more effective than raw decoction pieces of Schisandra chinensis (RSC) for treating cough and asthma. Steaming with wine was demonstrated to promote the dissolution of ingredients. However, the relationship between the changes in the components of the decoction pieces of WSC and the therapeutic effect remains unclear.

METHODS

The efficacies of decoctions of RSC and WSC were compared using allergic asthma rats. The potential bioactive components in the serum of the WSC treatment group and the changes in the chemical composition of the RSC decoction pieces before and after wine steaming were determined by ultra-performance liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS) and ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC H-CLASS XEVO TQD) to speculate quality markers (Q-markers) related to the efficacy of WSC, which were subsequently verified based on a zebrafish inflammation model.

RESULTS

Steaming RSC decoction pieces with wine was found to promote improvement of allergic asthma. Reverse tracing of 22 components detected in the serum of the high dose group of WSC (WSC-H) resulted in 12 ingredients being finally designated as potential effective components. Among these ingredients, 5 components, Schisandrin, Schisandrol B, Schisandrin A, Schisandrin B, and Gomisin D, had higher dissolution rates than RSC after steaming with wine. Validation by an inflammatory zebrafish model showed that these 5 ingredients had a dose-dependent effect and were therefore Q-markers for WSC in the treatment of allergic asthma.

CONCLUSION

In this study, changes in the components of decoction pieces of RSC and WSC and Q-markers related to WSC efficacy were identified, providing valuable information for expanding the application of WSC and establishing a specific quality standard for WSC.

Cardioprotective Potential of Berries of Schisandra chinensis Turcz. (Baill.), Their Components and Food Products

Schisandra chinensis (S. chinensis) berries, originally a component of traditional herbal medicine in China, Korea, and other east Asian countries, are also valuable agents in modern phototherapy. S. chinensis berry preparations, including extracts and their chemical components, demonstrate anti-cancer, hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties, among others. These valuable properties, and their therapeutic potential, are conditioned by the unique chemical composition of S. chinensis berries, particularly their lignan content. About 40 of these compounds, mainly dibenzocyclooctane type, were isolated from S. chinensis. The most important bioactive lignans are schisandrin (also denoted as schizandrin or schisandrol A), schisandrin B, schisantherin A, schisantherin B, schisanhenol, deoxyschisandrin, and gomisin A. The present work reviews newly-available literature concerning the cardioprotective potential of S. chinensis berries and their individual components. It places special emphasis on the cardioprotective properties of the selected lignans related to their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory characteristis.

Quantification of phosphatides in sunflower oils using a potentiometric e-tongue

Consisting of two fatty acyl groups, phospholipids are a vital part of vegetable oils and the source of essential fatty acids. Moreover, phospholipids influence oxidative and flavor stability and color evolution of vegetable oils, and their quantification has a significant role in the quality assessment of oils. In this study, we proposed a new highly efficient, affordable, environmentally friendly, and simple approach for the evaluation of phospholipid concentrations based on potentiometric multisensor systems coupled with chemometric data processing. Support vector machines, partial least squares, and multiple linear regressions were used to predict phosphatide concentrations based on potentiometric multisensor system responses. Application of multivariate regression tools yielded the following root mean square errors of prediction: 0.005 mg/100 g of oil in the range 0.0-59.4 mg/100 g for refined oils; 0.008 mg/100 g in the range 0.0-100 mg/100 g for low phosphatide oils and 0.24 mg/100 g in the range 100-2270 mg/100 g for high phosphatide oils. This approach can be considered as a rapid and straightforward method to quantify the phosphatides in sunflower oils.

A comprehensive review of ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry, pharmacology, and pharmacokinetics of Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.) Baill. and Schisandra sphenanthera Rehd. et Wils

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Schisandra chinensis (called bei-wuweizi in Chinese, S. chinensis) and Schisandra sphenanthera (called nan-wuweizi in Chinese, S. sphenanthera) are two highly similar plants in the Magnoliaceae family. Their dried ripe fruits are commonly used as traditional Chinese medicine in the treatment of coughs, palpitation, spermatorrhea, and insomnia. They also are traditionally used as tonics in Russia, Japan, and Korea.

AIM OF THE REVIEW

S. chinensis and S. sphenanthera are similar in appearance, traditional applications, ingredient compositions, and therapeutic effects. This review, therefore, aims to provide a systematic insight into the botanical background, ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry, pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, quality control, and toxicology of S. chinensis and S. sphenanthera, and to explore and present the similarities and differences between S. chinensis and S. sphenanthera.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A comprehensive literature search regarding S. chinensis and S. sphenanthera was collected by using electronic databases including PubMed, SciFinder, Science Direct, Web of Science, CNKI, and the online ethnobotanical database.

RESULTS

In the 2020 Edition of Chinese Pharmacopoeia (ChP), there were 100 prescriptions containing S. chinensis, while only 11 contained S. sphenanthera. Totally, 306 and 238 compounds have been isolated and identified from S. chinensis and S. sphenanthera, respectively. Among these compounds, lignans, triterpenoids, essential oils, phenolic acid, flavonoids, phytosterols are the major composition. Through investigation of pharmacological activities, S. chinensis and S. sphenanthera have similar therapeutic effects including hepatoprotection, neuroprotection, cardioprotection, anticancer, antioxidation, anti-inflammation, and hypoglycemic effect. Besides, S. chinensis turns out to have more effects including reproductive regulation and immunomodulatory, antimicrobial, antitussive and antiasthmatic, anti-fatigue, antiarthritic, and bone remodeling effects. Both S. chinensis and S. sphenanthera have inhibitory effects on CYP3A and P-gp, which can mediate metabolism or efflux of substrates, and therefore interact with many drugs.

CONCLUSIONS

S. chinensis and S. sphenanthera have great similarities. Dibenzocyclooctadiene lignans are regarded to contribute to most of the bioactivities. Schisandrin A-C, schisandrol A-B, and schisantherin A, existing in both S. chinensis and S. sphenanthera but differing in the amount, are the main active components, which may contribute to the similarities and differences. Study corresponding to the traditional use is needed to reveal the deep connotation of the use of S. chinensis and S. sphenanthera as traditional Chinese medicine. In addition, a joint study of S. chinensis and S. sphenanthera can better show the difference between them, which can provide a reference for clinical application. It is worth mentioning that the inhibition of S. chinensis and S. sphenanthera on CYP3A and P-gp may lead to undesirable drug-drug interactions.

A novel ultrasound-assisted vacuum drying technique for improving drying efficiency and physicochemical properties of Schisandra chinensis extract powder

Schisandra chinensis (S. chinensis) extract powder is an important intermediate for the preparation of many prepared medicines and health products. The physicochemical properties of S. chinensis extract powder have been found to vary tremendously and this has been attributed to the long drying time in the traditional drying method. In this study, S. chinensis specimens were authenticated as the dry fruit of S. chinensis (Turcz.) Baill. S. chinensis were extracted twice with 8 L kg-1 (liquid to solid ratio) distilled water. The extracts were mixed and concentrated under reduced pressure to 1.24 g cm-3. Ultrasound-assisted vacuum drying (UAVD) was employed as a new approach to improve the efficiency in drying S. chinensis extract powder and produce a higher quality product. The effects of drying temperature (70, 80, 90°C), ultrasonic power (40, 120, 200 W), and ultrasonic application time (4, 12, 20 min every 20 min) on the kinetics and quality of S. chinensis extract were investigated and compared with the conventional vacuum drying (CVD). It was shown that, with the increase in drying temperature, ultrasonic power, and time of UAVD, the drying time for S. chinensis extract to reach the equilibrium moisture decreased. The drying time was reduced by more than 25% when utilizing UAVD compared to the CVD method. The effective moisture diffusivity (D eff) values for CVD and UAVD were 3.48 × 10-9 m2·s-1 and 7.41 × 10-9 m2 s-1, respectively, at the drying temperature of 80°C, indicating an increase of 112.93%. It was also found that a Weibull distribution model was suitable for predicting the moisture content of S. chinensis extract (R 2 > 0.95). Furthermore, the content of Schisandrol A in the extracts obtained from UAVD was 12.79% higher than that obtained using CVD at 90°C. This demonstrates that UAVD is an efficient drying technique for S. chinensis extract.

Wood profiling by non-targeted liquid chromatography high-resolution mass spectrometry: Part 2, Detection of the geographical origin of spruce wood (Picea abies) by determination of metabolite pattern

A non-targeted metabolomics-based approach using liquid chromatography high-resolution mass spectrometry was used to authenticate spruce wood (Picea abies) from two geographic source areas. The two sample sites were located in Germany and only 250 km apart. In order to achieve the highest possible metabolite coverage, the spruces samples were measured with four different methods using liquid chromatography high-resolution mass spectrometry. In this way, a total of approximately 4,100 features were detected, which included non-polar, polar, and intermediate-polar metabolites. Using supervised multivariate methods, a distinction between the two sample groups could be achieved on the basis of non-polar data sets. The major metabolites contributing to differentiation were identified by MS/MS experiments and were from the following classes of compounds: ceramides, fatty acids, glycerolipids, and phytosterols. Based on the soil descriptions of the two sites, it was concluded that there is probably a close relationship between nutrient availability and the differences in concentration of the marker compounds. The results show that a metabolomics-based approach is also suitable for differentiation of origin, even if the sample sites are close to each other.

Screening of blood-activating active components from Curcuma wenyujin Y.H. Chen et C. Ling rhizome based on spectrum-effect relationship analysis and network pharmacology

Curcuma wenyujin Y.H. Chen et C. Ling rhizome (also called EZhu in China) has long been used as plant medicine for its traditional effect on promoting blood circulation and remove blood stasis. However, the active components of EZhu are still unclear at present. This research is managed to investigate the pharmacodynamics material basis on removing blood stasis of EZhu by exploring the spectrum-effect relationship between UPLC-Q/TOF-MS fingerprints and pharmacologic actions. Hemorheology and related functional parameters were detected to evaluate the pharmacologic actions of EZhu. Relative content Changes of components in rat plasma were detected by UPLC-Q/TOF-MS. A compound-target-pathway network was built to predict the pharmacological activity of components in plasma. Then, bivariate correlation analysis (BCA) was used to explore the correlation degree between components in plasma and pharmacologic actions of EZhu. In UPLC-Q/TOF-MS fingerprints of rat plasma, 10 prototype components were identified. BCA results show that 8 components were concerned with the pharmacological activity for treating blood stasis syndrome (BSS) in varying degrees (R > 0.5, P < 0.05). Among them, zedoarofuran and curzerenone have shown correlation with more pharmacological indicators. The network predicted that 80 targets were closely related to 10 components, in which 48 targets were connected with 159 metabolic pathways including arachidonic acid metabolism, sphingolipid signaling pathway, and linoleic acid metabolism. Overall, this study provided a scientific basis for TCM quality control to ensure its safety and efficacy.

Study on the effect of active components of Schisandra chinensis on liver injury and its mechanisms in mice based on network pharmacology

The aim of this study was to analyze the active components of Schisandra chinensis on liver injury and its mechanism in mice by network pharmacology. The active components of S. chinensis were found through Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP) and their corresponding targets were predicted. The targets of liver injury were searched through Therapeutic Targets Database (TTD), DisGeNET and drugbank databases, and the Venn diagram was constructed to obtain the action targets. The "drug-active component-target" network and protein-protein interaction network (PPI) were constructed by using STRING database and Cytoscape software, and the key targets were further screened by the enrichment analysis of relevant KEGG pathways. Finally, a CCl4-induced mouse liver injury model was established to verify the efficacy and related targets of S. chinensis and clarify its mechanism. Eight active components and 56 related targets of S. chinensis were screened out based on their oral bioavailability (OB) and drug likeness (DL). Five targets of S. chinensis related to liver injury were found by using the Venn diagram. The key targets, namely Ptgs2 and Nos2 genes, were further screened out by constructing a PPI network, and Schisandrol B (SCB) was considered the key component most closely related to the liver injury in S. chinensis. The results indicate that SCB may play a role in the treatment of the CCl4-induced liver injury by down-regulating the expression of iNOS and COX-2, and regulating the expression of NF-κB and IL-17 signaling pathway to inhibit the expression of proinflammatory factors.

Investigation of the active components and mechanisms of Schisandra chinensis in the treatment of asthma based on a network pharmacology approach and experimental validation

The aim of this paper was to investigate the active components of Schisandra chinensis in the treatment of asthma and the related mechanisms by a network pharmacology approach. The active components of Schisandra chinensis and the corresponding targets were obtained from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP). Eight active components in Schisandra chinensis and 56 related targets were screened out according to two indicators, oral bioavailability (OB) and drug-likeness (DL). A total of 132 targets related to asthma were screened out through Therapeutic Target Database (TTD) data. The String database and Cytoscape software were used to build the "drug-active compound-target" network and protein-protein interaction (PPI) network. The key targets were further predicted by the analysis of related biological processes and the pathway-enrichment. A total of 10 intersection targets between Schisandra chinensis and asthma were obtained by building Venn diagrams, and lignans in Schisandra chinensis were found to be associated with asthma. The key targets Ptgs2 and Nos2 were further screened out, and schisandrol B (SCB) was predicted as the most related key component to asthma. A mouse asthma model was established with ovalbumin and aluminum hydroxide for verifying the effect of SCB and related mechanisms. The results showed that SCB could inhibit the gene expression of proinflammatory factors to play a therapeutic role in asthma by reducing the expression of Nos2 and Ptgs2 and regulating the NF-κB signaling pathway to intervene in the process of cell metabolism in mice. These results suggest that SCB can alleviate the severity of asthma through the mechanisms predicted by network pharmacology, and provide a basis for further understanding of the application of Schisandra chinensis in the treatment of asthma.

Characteristics of karaya gum based films: Amelioration by inclusion of Schisandra chinensis oil and its oleogel in the film formulation

This research was focused to develop novel karaya gum films, modified by adding Schisandra chinensis oil and its oleogel. The films produced were assessed for physicochemical, mechanical, thermal and structural characteristics. Glass transition temperature (Tg) of control karaya gum films was recorded as 145.70 °C. Insignificant (p < 0.05) changes occurred in Tg of films in which oil was incorporated, irrespective of the concentration. However, Tg decreased significantly (p < 0.05) as oleogel was added to the karaya gum films and lowest Tg occurred for the KGOG3 films which contained highest concentration of oleogel. X-ray diffraction test depicted an obsolete amorphous behavior of control karaya gum film whereas some peaks appeared in other film samples. Scanning electron micrography (SEM) revealed a reduction in roughness and grainy morphology when oil or oleogel was added to the films. Addition of oil/oleogel enhanced the phenolic content and DPPH radical scavenging activity of the films.

Selective, rapid and simultaneous determination of ergosterol and ergocalciferol in mushrooms by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS

An ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled to atmospheric pressure chemical ionization-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry method has been optimized and validated for the determination of ergosterol and ergocalciferol in mushroom samples, using cholecalciferol as surrogate standard. The separation was carried out with a Synergi Hydro-RP column (100 mm x 3.00 mm i.d, 2.5 μm particle size), (Phenomenex, CA, USA) column, thermostated at 35 °C. The mobile phase was 0.1 % formic acid aqueous solution and methanol in gradient elution mode and it was achieved in 5 min approximately. Detection was achieved by atmospheric pressure chemical ionization in positive mode and quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Desolvation and interface temperatures were set at 500 °C and 150 °C, respectively. The recoveries obtained were within 92-105 % for ergosterol, 77-81 % for ergocalciferol and 83-87 % for cholecalciferol. Method limits of detection were 0.4 and 0.5 μg g^-1 for ergosterol and ergocalciferol, respectively, and method limits of quantitation were 1.2 and 1.3 μg g^-1 for ergosterol and ergocalciferol, respectively. A rapid and simple extraction procedure using small amount of sample (100 mg) with hexane was optimized and the method was applied to the determination of ergosterol and ergocalciferol in white button mushrooms (Agaricus bisporus var. bisporus) exposed to UV irradiation. Results were compared to the corresponding non-irradiated mushrooms.

Characterization of glycerophospholipid molecular species in muscles from three species of cephalopods by direct infusion-tandem mass spectrometry

More than 200 molecular species of glycerophospholipids (GP) including glycerophosphocholine (GPC), glycerophosphoethanolamine (GPE), glycerophosphoserine (GPS), lysoglycerophosphocholine (LGPC), lysoglycerophosphoethanolamine (LGPE) and lysoglycerophosphoserine (LGPS), as well as 18 kinds of sphingomyelin (SM) were characterized by using a direct infusion-tandem mass (MS/MS) spectrometry method for lipids from the muscles of cephalopods Sepiella maindroni, Octopus ocellatus and Loligo chinensis for the first time. The majority of the GP molecular species contained long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 LC-PUFA), especially eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Therefore, cephalopods can be a good possible source of dietary GP carrying n-3 LC-PUFA. The total lipids were composed of phospholipid (PL, 72.29-83.32 wt% of total lipids), cholesterol (12.70-23.60 wt% of total lipids), triacylglycerol (1.86-2.93 wt% of total lipids), diacylglycerol (0.15-1.09 wt% of total lipids), monoacylglycerol (0.06-0.18 wt% of total lipids) and free fatty acid (0.72-1.86 wt% of total lipids). For PL, phosphatidylcholine (44.47-62.30 mol%), phosphatidylethanolamine (22.57-39.08 mol%), phosphatidylserine (6.15-10.18 mol%), phosphatidylglycerol (0.68-3.11 mol%), phosphatidylinositol (2.41-7.15 mol%) and lysophosphatidylcholine (1.84-5.24 mol%) were detected. Furthermore, the total lipids from the muscles of cephalopods Sepiella maindroni, Octopus ocellatus and Loligo chinensis contained 41.80-50.02 mol% of saturated fatty acids, 11.53-21.54 mol% of monounsaturated fatty acids and 36.67-40.82 mol% of PUFA, whilst DHA (15.25-26.71 mol%) and EPA (6.29-16.57 mol%) were found to account for the majority of the PUFA. With these data presented, cephalopod muscle can be considered as a healthy food for humans.

Thermal and oxidation stability of functional oleogels formed by edible wax/starch and Schisandra chinensis oil

This work was aimed at the evaluation of stability of components in oleogels and providing a quick, visual description of the relationship between the composition of an oleogel and its thermal and oxidation properties.