Comparison of triterpene compounds of four botanical parts from Poria cocos (Schw.) wolf using simultaneous qualitative and quantitative method and metabolomics approach

Ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry assay for simultaneous determination of 22 marker compounds in traditional herbal medicine Ojeoksan

Traditional herbal medicines (THMs) have long been in use worldwide and are considered safe for use as tonics or complementary treatments for many diseases. Advanced quality control methods for THMs are required in the regulatory framework of modern medicines. In this study, an ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry assay was established for the simultaneous determination of 22 marker compounds in Ojeoksan (OJS), which is composed of 15 herbal substances. All marker compounds were analyzed within 20 min and successfully identified via scheduled multiple reaction monitoring. The method validation revealed excellent performance characteristics of the method such as specificity, linearity, sensitivity, precision, and accuracy, demonstrating its suitability for intended use. The developed method was applied to samples of commercial OJS tablet and soft-extract dosage forms. The 14 marker compounds corresponding to 12 component herbal substances were determined in the samples; ephedirine, albiflorin, paeoniflorin, ferulic acid, hesperidine, neohesperidin, cinnamic acid, platycodin D, 6-gingerol, atractylenolide III, glycyrrhizin, honokiol, decursin, and magnolol. A fast and easy assay method with sufficient discrimination power was established. As a novel assay, this method can contribute to the quality control of OJS products.

Chinese Medicine Linggui Zhugan Formula Protects against Diabetic Kidney Disease in Close Association with Inhibition of Proteinase 3-mediated Podocyte Apoptosis in Mice

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Linggui-Zhugan (LGZG) comprises four herbs and is a classic formula in traditional Chinese medicine. There is strong clinical evidence of its pleiotropic effects in the prevention of diabetes and its related complications. Although several classes of drugs are currently available for clinical management of diabetic kidney disease (DKD), tight glycemic and/or hypertension control may not prevent disease progression. This study evaluated the therapeutic effect of the ethnopharmacological agent LGZG on DKD.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study aimed to investigate the effects of LGZG formula with standard quality control on experimental DKD and its related metabolic disorders in animal model. Meanwhile, the present study aimed to investigate regulatory effects of LGZG on renal proteinase 3 (PR3) to reveal mechanisms underlying renoprotection benefits of LGZG.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

LGZG decoction was fingerprinted by high-performance liquid chromatography for quality control. An experimental model of DKD was induced in C57 BL/6J mice by a combination of high-fat diet feeding, uninephrectomy, and intraperitoneal injection of streptozocin. The LGZG decoction was administrated by daily oral gavage.

RESULTS

Treatment with LGZG formula significantly attenuated DKD-like traits (including severe albuminuria, mesangial matrix expansion, and podocyte loss) and metabolic dysfunction (disordered body composition and dyslipidemia) in mice. RNA sequencing data revealed a close association of LGZG treatment with marked modulation of signaling pathways related to podocyte injury and cell apoptosis. Mechanistically, LGZG suppressed the DKD-triggered increase in renal PR3 and podocyte apoptosis. In-vitro incubation of mouse immortalized podocytes with LGZG-medicated serum attenuated PR3-mediated apoptosis.

CONCLUSION

Our data demonstrated that the LGZG formula protected against DKD in mice and was closely associated with its inhibitory effects on PR3-mediated podocyte apoptosis.

Identification of characteristic flavor compounds and small molecule metabolites during the ripening process of Nuodeng ham by GC-IMS, GC-MS combined with metabolomics

To investigate effects of metabolites and volatile compounds on the quality of Nuodeng ham, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-Q exactive orbitrap-mass spectrometry (UHPLC-QE-MS), and gas chromatography-ion transfer spectroscopy (GC-IMS) were used to analyze the differences of free fatty acids, small molecule metabolites and volatile compounds of Nuodeng ham at different ripening stages (the first, second and third year sample). 40 free fatty acids were detected. 757 and 300 metabolites were detected in positive and negative ion modes, respectively. 48 differential metabolites (VIP ≥ 1.5, P < 0.05) might important components affecting flavor differences of Nuodeng ham. Metabolic pathways revealed that fermenting-ripening of ham was associated with 31 metabolic pathways, among, 19 pathways were significant (Impact > 0.01, P < 0.05). 58 volatile compounds were identified, combined with PCA and PLS-DA, 15 flavor markers were screened out. These findings provide a scientific basis for further research on the flavor formation mechanism of Nuodeng ham.

Fuling-Zexie formula attenuates hyperuricemia-induced nephropathy and inhibits JAK2/STAT3 signaling and NLRP3 inflammasome activation in mice

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Fuling-Zexie (FZ) formula, a traditional Chinese herbal prescription composed of Poria cocos (Schwan.) Wolf. (Poria), Pueraria lobate (Willd.) Howe. (Puerariae Lobatae Radix), Alisma orientale (Sam.) Julep. (Alismatis Rhizoma), and Atractylodes lancea (Thunb.) Dc. (Atractylodis Rhizoma), has been clinically used to ameliorate hyperuricemia (HUA) and its associated renal injury.

AIM OF STUDY

This study aims to explore the action and mechanism of FZ on renal inflammation and dysfunction caused by HUA.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

FZ was orally administered to rapid HUA mouse induced by potassium oxonate (PO) and hypoxanthine (HX) for 7 days. Serum levels of uric acid (UA), creatinine (CRE), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), xanthine oxidase (XOD), adenosine deaminase (ADA), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), urine levels of UA, CRE and urinary albumin were determined by biochemical assays. Serum levels of interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-6 were tested by ELISA. Hematoxylin-eosin and Masson staining were used to examine kidney and liver histopathological alterations. The expressions of renal glucose transporter 9 (GLUT9), ATP-binding cassette subfamily G member 2 (ABCG2), organic anion transporter 1 (OAT1), phospho-janus kinase 2 (p-JAK2), p-signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (p-STAT3), suppression of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3), NLR family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3), apoptosis-associated speck-like protein (ASC), and cleaved-cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase-1 (cleaved-Cas-1) were detected by western blots. The potential protein targets and pathways of FZ intervention on HUA were predicted by network pharmacology. The constituents in FZ aqueous extract were analyzed by UPLC-MS.

RESULTS

FZ reduced serum UA, CRE, BUN, and urinary albumin and increased urine UA, CRE levels in HUA mice. In addition, the treatment with FZ to HUA mice inhibited the elevated serum levels of XOD and ADA, and regulated renal urate transports including OAT1, GLUT9 and ABCG2. FZ also attenuated kidney inflammation and fibrosis and downregulated the expressions of IL-1β, p-JAK2, p-STAT3, SOCS3, IL-6, NLRP3, ASC, and cleaved-Cas-1. Thirteen compounds were identified in the FG, including L-phenylalanine, D-tryptophan, 3'-hydroxypuerarin, Puerarin, 3'-Methoxy Puerarin, Daidzin, Pueroside A, formononetin-8-C- [xylosyl (1→6)]-glucoside, Ononin, Alisol I 23-acetate, 16-oxo-alisol A, Alisol C and Alisol A.

CONCLUSION

FZ inhibits serum UA generation and promotes urine UA excretion as well as attenuates kidney inflammation and fibrosis in HUA mouse with nephropathy. The underlying mechanism of its action may be associated with suppression of the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway and NLRP3 inflammasome activation. This formula may offer a novel source for developing anti-HUA drugs.

Danggui Shaoyao San: Chemical characterization and inhibition of oxidative stress and inflammation to treat CCl4-induced hepatic fibrosis

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Danggui Shaoyao San (DSS) has effective in treating hepatic ascites and liver disease.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To explore the chemical characterization of DSS and protective effect on CCl4-induced hepatic fibrosis and its mechanism, especially its anti-oxidative stress and anti-inflammation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The chemical characterization of DSS was determined by HPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap MS. And the antioxidant activity of DSS in vitro was determined. The hepatic fibrosis model was established using intragastric administration of 40% CCl4/soybean oil (v/v) twice weekly for 13 weeks. From 6th week, the DSS group and the positive control group were given DSS (2, 4, 8 g/kg/d) and silymarin (50 mg/kg/d), respectively. The livers of rats were examined histologically by H&E. The ALT, AST, ALB and TBIL were determined, and hepatic fibrosis markers (HA, LN, CIV, PIIINP), oxidative stress (SOD, MDA, GST, GSH) and inflammatory factor (IL-6, TNF-α) were tested using ELISA kits. In addition, the levels of TAC, TOS, LOOH and AOPP in the liver were also determined.

RESULTS

The chemical characterization of DSS was determined by HPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap MS. The results show that DSS mainly includes triterpenoids, monoterpenes, phenols, sesquiterpenes, butyl phthalide, etc., and DSS has good antioxidant activity in vitro. In addition, the ALT, AST and TBIL of rats were remarkably reduced after treatment with DSS at three doses. Liver histopathological analysis showed that DSS alleviated the inflammatory infiltration, hepatocyte swelling, necrosis and hepatic fibrosis induced by CCl4. DSS significantly decreased HA, IV-C, PIIINP and LN. Further determination showed that DSS significantly increased TAC, OSI and decreased TOC, LOOH and MDA, indicating that DSS could regulate redox balance and reduce lipid peroxidation in vivo. DSS also increased the activity of GST, SOD and GSH concentration. In addition, DSS also reduced IL-6 and TNF-α.

CONCLUSIONS

In this study, we described the chemical characterization of DSS and found that it has good antioxidant activity. We proved that DSS has the functions of reducing oxidative stress, anti-inflammatory, protecting liver cells and reducing hepatic fibrosis.

Machine learning-based monosaccharide profiling for tissue-specific classification of Wolfiporia extensa samples

Machine learning (ML) has been used for many clinical decision-making processes and diagnostic procedures in bioinformatics applications. We examined eight algorithms, including linear discriminant analysis (LDA), logistic regression (LR), k-nearest neighbor (KNN), random forest (RF), gradient boosting machine (GBM), support vector machine (SVM), Naïve Bayes classifier (NB), and artificial neural network (ANN) models, to evaluate their classification and prediction capabilities for four tissue types in Wolfiporia extensa using their monosaccharide composition profiles. All 8 ML-based models were assessed as exemplary models with AUC exceeding 0.8. Five models, namely LDA, KNN, RF, GBM, and ANN, performed excellently in the four-tissue-type classification (AUC > 0.9). Additionally, all eight models were evaluated as good predictive models with AUC value > 0.8 in the three-tissue-type classification. Notably, all 8 ML-based methods outperformed the single linear discriminant analysis (LDA) plotting method. For large sample sizes, the ML-based methods perform better than traditional regression techniques and could potentially increase the accuracy in identifying tissue samples of W. extensa.

Effects of degradation on the physicochemical and antioxidant properties of carboxymethyl pachymaran

Poria cocos (Schw.) Wolf is a well-known edible and medicinal fungus. The polysaccharide in the sclerotium of P. cocos was extracted and prepared into carboxymethyl pachymaran (CMP). Three different degradation treatments including high temperature (HT), high pressure (HP) and gamma irradiation (GI) were used to process CMP. The changes in physicochemical properties and antioxidant activities of CMP were then comparatively investigated. We found that the molecular weights of HT-CMP, HP-CMP, and GI-CMP decreased from 787.9 kDa to 429.8, 569.5 and 6.0 kDa, respectively. Degradation treatments had no effect on the main chains of →3-β-D-Glcp-(1 → while changed the branched sugar residues. The polysaccharide chains of CMP were depolymerized after high pressure and gamma irradiation treatments. The three degradation methods improved the stability of CMP solution while decreased the thermal stability of CMP. In addition, we found that the GI-CMP with lowest molecular weight had the best antioxidant activity. Our results suggest that gamma irradiation treatment could degrade CMP as functional foods with strong antioxidant activity.

Effects of Poria cocos extract and protein powder mixture on glucolipid metabolism and rhythm changes in obese mice

Herein, we explored the effects of Poria cocos extract, protein powder mixture, and their combined intervention on weight loss in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese mice. Male C57BL/6J mice were selected and fed a HFD for 8 weeks; obese mice that were successfully modeled were divided into modeling and five intervention groups, and given the corresponding treatment for 10 weeks. Body weight, fat, and muscle tissue, blood glucose, lipids, inflammatory factors, and other glucose and lipid metabolism-related indicators were measured to evaluate the effect of P. cocos and protein powder intervention on weight loss in obese mice. The body weight of the intervention group was reduced compared with the HFD group. Fat content of mice in F3PM group decreased significantly (p < .05). Levels of blood glucose, lipids, adiponectin, leptin, and inflammatory factors, including interleukin-1 β and tumor necrosis factor- α showed improvement. Lipoprotein lipase (lower about 2.97 pg/ml, vs. HFD mice 10.65 mmoL/ml) and sterol regulatory element-binding transcription factor (lower about 1413.63 pg/ml, vs. HFD mice 3915.33 pg/ml) levels in liver tissue were decreased. The respiratory exchange rate (RER) of mice in the HFD and subject intervention groups had no circadian rhythm and was maintained at approximately 0.80. The protein powder mixture (PM) group had the lowest RER (p < .05), the P. cocos extract (FL) and F1PM groups had similar RER to the HFD group (p < .05), and the F2PM group had a higher RER than the HFD group (p < .05). And food intake and energy metabolism returned to circadian rhythm, with an increase in the dose of P. cocos extract, the feeding rhythms of F1PM, F2PM, and F3PM were closer to that of the normal diet (ND) group. Feeding intervention with P. cocos and protein powder improved fat distribution, glucolipid metabolism, and energy metabolism, with the combination of F3PM showing more diverse benefits.

Geographical region traceability of Poria cocos and correlation between environmental factors and biomarkers based on a metabolomic approach

The edible values of P. cocos from different origins vary significantly, therefore, it is important to investigate the traceability of geographical regions and identify the geographical biomarkers of P. cocos. The metabolites of P. cocos of the different geographical origins were assessed using liquid chromatography tandem-mass spectrometry, principal component analysis and orthogonal partial least-squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA). The OPLS-DA could clearly discriminate the metabolites of P. cocos from the three cultivation regions (YN, Yunnan; AH, Anhui; JZ, Hunan). Finally, three carbohydrates, four amino acids, and four triterpenoids were selected as biomarkers for P. cocos origin tracing. Correlation matrix analysis revealed that the contents of biomarkers were closely related to geographical origin. Altitude, temperature, and soil fertility were the main factors responsible for the differences in biomarker profiles in P. cocos. The metabolomics approach provides an effective strategy for tracing and identifying the biomarkers of P. cocos from different geographical origins.

Optimization of Ultrasonic-Assisted Extraction Conditions for Bioactive Components and Antioxidant Activity of Poria cocos (Schw.) Wolf by an RSM-ANN-GA Hybrid Approach

In this study, a response surface methodology and an artificial neural network coupled with a genetic algorithm (RSM-ANN-GA) was used to predict and estimate the optimized ultrasonic-assisted extraction conditions of Poria cocos. The ingredient yield and antioxidant potential were determined with different independent variables of ethanol concentration (X₁; 25-75%), extraction time (X₂; 30-50 min), and extraction solution volume (mL) (X₃; 20-60 mL). The optimal conditions were predicted by the RSM-ANN-GA model to be 55.53% ethanol concentration for 48.64 min in 60.00 mL solvent for four triterpenoid acids, and 40.49% ethanol concentration for 30.25 min in 20.00 mL solvent for antioxidant activity and total polysaccharide and phenolic contents. The evaluation of the two modeling strategies showed that RSM-ANN-GA provided better predictability and greater accuracy than the response surface methodology for ultrasonic-assisted extraction of P. cocos. These findings provided guidance on efficient extraction of P. cocos and a feasible analysis/modeling optimization process for the extraction of natural products.

Quantitative analysis of nutrients for nucleosides, nucleobases and amino acids hidden behind five distinct regions-derived Poria cocos using ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with triple-quadrupole linear ion-trap tandem mass spectrometry

Poria cocos is an edible fungus used as a health product and traditional Chinese medicinal preparation. Nevertheless, little is known about its nutrients. In this study, ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled with triple-quadrupole linear ion-trap tandem mass spectrometry was conducted to quantify nucleosides, nucleobases, and amino acids in 32 batches of Poria cocos samples collected from Anhui, Sichuan, Hubei, Hunan and Guizhou. Subsequently, the linearity, precision, repeatability, stability, and recovery of our methods were validated. Samples from different regions were clearly separated by partial least squares discriminant analysis and cluster analysis. Our results suggested that Poria cocos samples from different geographical environments differed in nucleosides, nucleobases, and amino acids. The plot of variable importance for projection disclosed differential compositions of L-Leucine, Uridine, L-Asparagine, L-Glutamine, L-phenylalanine, L-Ornithine monohydrochloride, L-Hydroxyproline, Taurine and Inosine in Poria cocos from five regions. We found the highest content of total analytes, total amino acids and total non-essential amino acids in Poria cocos from Anhui, total essential amino acids in the Sichuan samples and total nucleosides in Hunan samples. Overall, we determined the content of Poria cocos-derived nucleosides, nucleobases, and amino acids, providing the foothold for further chemical mining and use of Poria cocos. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Rapid analysis of differential chemical compositions of Poria cocos using thin-layer chromatography spray ionization-mass spectrometry

A simple analytical strategy for determining the chemical composition of Poria cocos using thin-layer chromatography spray ionization-mass spectrometry (TLCSI-MS).

Comprehensive characterization and identification of chemical constituents in Yangwei decoction using ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry

Yangwei decoction, a classical traditional Chinese medicine prescription, has been widely used to treat exogenous cold and internal injury with damp stagnation for many centuries. However, its systematic chemical profiling remains ambiguous, which has hampered the interpretation of pharmacology and the mechanism of its formula. In the present study, a ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry method was successfully established for the first time to separate and identify the complicated components of Yangwei decoction. The accurate mass data of the protonated molecules, deprotonated molecules, and fragment ions were detected in positive and negative ion modes. A total of 226 compounds in Yangwei decoction were tentatively identified and unambiguously characterized by comparing their retention times and mass spectrometry data with those of reference standards and literature, including 24 lignans, 18 alkaloids, 9 phenylpropanoid glycosides, 76 flavonoids, 59 triterpenoids, 17 organic acids, 7 gingerols, 8 lactones, and 8 other compounds. The present study provides a novel method of constituents characterization for well-known Chinese medicine prescriptions. The study aims to lay a robust foundation for future research, providing the holistic quality control and pharmacology of Yangwei decoction. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Four Triterpenoids Isolated from Poriae Cutis

In this study, triterpenoid compounds from Poriae Cutis were separated by high-speed countercurrent chromatography (HSCCC) and identified using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-QTOF-MS/MS) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). The in vitro anti-inflammatory activities of the purified triterpenoids on RAW 264.7 cells were also investigated. Triterpenoids, poricoic acid B, poricoic acid A, dehydrotrametenolic acid, and dehydroeburicoic acid were obtained; their levels of purity were 90%, 92%, 93%, and 96%, respectively. The results indicated that poricoic acid B had higher anti-inflammatory activity than those of poricoic acid A by inhibiting the generation of NO in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW 264.7 cells. However, dehydrotrametenolic acid and dehydroeburicoic acid had no anti-inflammatory activity. In addition, the production of cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6) in cells treated with poricoic acid B decreased in a dose-dependent manner in the concentration range from 10 to 40 μg/mL. The results provide evidence for the use of Poriae Cutis as a natural anti-inflammatory agent in medicines and functional foods.

Clinical application and pharmacological mechanism of Wuling powder in the treatment of ascites: A systematic review and network pharmacological analysis

Ascites is one of the common complications in patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis and liver cancer. Wuling powder (WLP) is a classic prescription for the treatment of water retention caused by bladder gasification. It is also widely used in the treatment of ascites. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the clinical efficacy of WLP and determine its effective chemical components based on a large number of related pieces of literature. The pharmacological effects and chemical constituents of WLP were summarized. Besides, the clinical research status of WLP in the treatment of ascites caused by liver cancer and cirrhosis was analyzed. The key targets and pathways of WLP in the treatment of ascites based on network pharmacology analysis were also discussed. Furthermore, the core components and core targets of WLP in the treatment of ascites using molecular docking were verified and the interaction sites were predicted, to provide a theoretical and scientific basis for the clinical application of WLP.

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.

Comprehensive Quality Assessment of Kaixin Powder by HPLC-DAD Quantification and HPLC-QTOF-MS/MS Confirmation

Kaixin Powder (KXP) is a classic formula for treating morbid forgetfulness in ancient China. To guarantee the efficacy and safety of KXP, a simple and accurate HPLC-DAD method has been established and validated for the quantitative analysis of seven bioactive compounds in KXP. Dehydrotumulosic acid (DTU) and dehydrotrametenolic acid (DTR) were quantified in KXP for the first time. Good chromatographic separation was conducted on a Kromasil 100-5 C₁₈ column (250 mm × 4.6 mm, 5 μm) by gradient elution using mobile phases containing acetonitrile and 0.1% formic acid aqueous solution at different detection wavelengths. The calibration curves of each compound showed good linearity (r ≥ 0.9990), and the LOD and LOQ were in the ranges of 0.01-0.10 and 0.03-0.40 μg/mL, respectively. The relative standard deviations (RSDs) of intra-day and inter-day precisions were in the ranges of 0.45-1.74% and 0.56-2.32%, respectively. All recoveries were in the range of 93.6-105.5% with an RSD no more than 2.77%. These quantification results of seven compounds determined in the samples were further confirmed by HPLC-QTOF-MS/MS. This study provides a useful and simple method for analyzing the major bioactive compounds and improves the quality assessment research of KXP.

Effect of Fluorofenidone Against Paraquat-Induced Pulmonary Fibrosis Based on Metabolomics and Network Pharmacology

BACKGROUND Fluorofenidone (AKF-PD) is an anti-fibrotic small-molecule compound. Its mechanism of action on paraquat (PQ)-induced pulmonary fibrosis is still unclear. MATERIAL AND METHODS Forty-eight SD rats were divided into 4 groups: control group, PQ group, PQ+AKF-PD group, and AKF-PD group. The pathological changes of lung tissues were observed by Masson and HE staining. The UPLC-QTOF-MS analysis was performed to detect the differences in metabolites among groups, then the possible mechanisms of the anti-pulmonary fibrosis effects of fluorofenidone were further revealed by network pharmacology analysis. Biological methods were used to verify the results of the network pharmacology analysis. RESULTS The results showed that fluorofenidone treatment significantly alleviated paraquat-induced pulmonary fibrosis. Metabolomics analysis showed that 18 metabolites were disordered in the serum of paraquat-poisoned rats, of which 13 were restored following fluorofenidone treatment. Network pharmacology analysis showed that the drug screened a total of 12 targets and mainly involved multiple signaling pathways and metabolic pathways to jointly exert anti-pulmonary fibrosis effects. Autophagy is the main pathway of fluorofenidone in treatment pulmonary fibrosis. The western blot results showed that fluorofenidone upregulated the expression of LC3-II/I and E-cadherin, and downregulated the expression of p62, alpha-SMA, and TGF-ß1, which validated that fluorofenidone could inhibit the development of paraquat-induced pulmonary fibrosis by increasing autophagy. CONCLUSIONS In conclusion, metabolomics combined with network pharmacology research strategy revealed that fluorofenidone has a multi-target and multi-path mechanism of action in the treatment of pulmonary fibrosis.

Rapid characterization of the chemical constituents of Yinchen Wuling Powder by UPLC coupled with Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry

Yinchen Wuling Powder (YCWLP) is a classic Chinese medicine prescription with a long history and has been commonly used for treating jaundice hepatitis, liver fibrosis, hyperlipidemia and early diabetes in clinical applications. However, the chemical composition of YCWLP is still unclear. In order to obtain the chemical profile of YCWLP, a systematic ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (UPLC-FT-ICR-MS) method was developed in this study. As a result, a total of 138 compounds including terpenoid acids, organic acids, flavonoids, sesquiterpenes, coumarins and anthraquinones were identified by comparing the retention time, molecular ions and fragmentation behaviors with the reference compounds or the in-house database. This study comprehensively elucidated the chemical basis of YCWLP and provided a scientific basis for further quality control and pharmacology research.

Untargeted Metabolomics and Targeted Quantitative Analysis of Temporal and Spatial Variations in Specialized Metabolites Accumulation in Poria cocos (Schw.) Wolf (Fushen)

Poria cocos (Schw.) Wolf is a saprophytic fungus that grows around the roots of old, dead pine trees. Fushen, derived from the sclerotium of P. cocos but also containing a young host pine root, has been widely used as a medicine and food in China, Japan, Korea, Southeast Asian countries, and some European countries. However, the compound variations at the different growth periods and in the different parts of Fushen have not previously been investigated. In this study, an untargeted metabolomics approach based on ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q/TOF-MS) and targeted quantitative analysis was utilized to characterize the temporal and spatial variations in the accumulation of specialized metabolites in Fushen. There were 119 specialized metabolites tentatively identified using the UPLC-Q/TOF-MS. The nine growth periods of Fushen were divided into four groups using partial least squares discrimination analysis (PLS-DA). Four different parts of the Fushen [fulingpi (FP), the outside of baifuling (BO), the inside of baifuling (BI), and fushenmu (FM)] were clearly discriminated using a PLS-DA and orthogonal partial least squares discrimination analysis (OPLS-DA). Markers for the different growth periods and parts of Fushen were also screened. In addition, the quantitative method was successfully applied to simultaneously determine 13 major triterpenoid acids in the nine growth periods and four parts. The quantitative results indicated that the samples in January, March, and April, i.e., the late growth period, had the highest content levels for the 13 triterpenoid acids. The pachymic acid, dehydropachymic acid, and dehydrotumulosic acid contents in the FM were higher than those in other three parts in March, whereas the poricoic acid B, poricoic acid A, polyporenic acid C, dehydrotratrametenolic acid, dehydroeburicoic acid, and eburicoic acid in FP were higher beginning in October. These findings reveal characteristics in temporal and spatial distribution of specialized metabolites in Fushen and provide guidance for the identification of harvesting times and for further quality evaluations.

Phytochemistry and Pharmacological Activities of Wolfiporia cocos (F.A. Wolf) Ryvarden & Gilb

Poria cocos is the dried sclerotium of Wolfiporia cocos (F.A. Wolf) Ryvarden & Gilb., which was the current accepted name and was formerly known as Macrohyporia cocos (Schwein.) I. Johans. & Ryvarden, Pachyma cocos (Schwein.) Fr., Poria cocos F.A. Wolf and Sclerotium cocos Schwein. It is one of the most important crude drugs in traditional Chinese medicine, with a wide range of applications in ameliorating phlegm and edema, relieving nephrosis and chronic gastritis and improving uneasiness of minds. Its extensive pharmacological effects have attracted considerable attention in recent years. However, there is no systematic review focusing on the chemical compounds and pharmacological activities of Poria cocos. Therefore, this review aimed to provide the latest information on the chemical compounds and pharmacological effects of Poria cocos, exploring the therapeutic potential of these compounds. We obtained the information of Poria cocos from electronic databases such as SCI finder, PubMed, Web of Science, CNKI, WanFang DATA and Google Scholar. Up to now, two main active ingredients, triterpenes and polysaccharides of Poria cocos, have been identified from Poria cocos. It has been reported that they have pharmacological effects on anti-tumor, anti-bacterial, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulation, and liver and kidney protection. The review summarizes the phytochemistry and pharmacological properties of Poria cocos, which suggest that researchers should focus on the development of new drugs about Poria cocos to make them exert greater therapeutic potential.

Effect of unsaturated fatty acids on glycation product formation pathways (Ⅰ) the role of oleic acid

Research on advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) and their formation pathways in food processing has gradually increased because AGEs are associated with human health, especially with involvement of lipids. In this study, radicals and glycation products were detected via electron spin resonance (ESR) and ultra performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) respectively. The correlation of important intermediates was used to explain the effect of oleic acid (OA) on the glycation products and pathways. The results indicated OA participation decreased the content of stable radicals and glycosyl compounds in Maillard Reaction (MR). The oxidation of OA produced active radicals, and electron transfer caused lysine to transform radical form. These radicals participated in the formation of fructosyllysine (FL) with glucose (Glc) via the MR. The participation of OA is acted as inhibiting the way of Glc autoxidation and promoting the glycation pathway from FL to 3-deoxyglucosone (3-DG) to fluorescent-AGEs. Orthogonal projection to latent structures discriminant analysis results indicated that 3-DG, D-glucosone and methylglyoxal are key products in discriminating the glycation reaction.