Simultaneous determination and pharmacokinetic study of six flavonoids from Fructus Sophorae extract in rat plasma by LC-MS/MS

Improving Bioaccessibility and Bioavailability of Isoflavone Aglycones from Chickpeas by Germination and Forming β-Cyclodextrin Inclusion Complexes

Chickpea isoflavones have diverse pharmacological activities but with low water solubility and bioavailability. In this work, the isoflavone content in chickpeas was first increased by germination, and then the bioaccessibility and bioavailability of isoflavones in chickpea sprout extracts (CSE) were enhanced using β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) inclusion techniques. Firstly, the total content of isoflavones was increased by 182 times through sprouting, and isoflavones were presented mostly in the germ and radicle. Then, the chickpea sprout extract/β-cyclodextrin (CSE/β-CD) inclusion complex was prepared and characterized. The in vitro test showed that the cumulative release of two isoflavones, formononetin (FMN) and biochanin A (BCA), in the CSE/β-CD was significantly increased in a simulated digestive fluid. The in vivo rat pharmacokinetics demonstrated that the inclusion of FMN and BCA by β-CD effectively increased their bioavailability in rat plasma and tissues, especially in the liver. The study provides a feasible strategy for improving the bioavailability of isoflavones from chickpeas and is also beneficial to the utilization of other legume resources.

Sophoricoside attenuates autoimmune‑mediated liver injury through the regulation of oxidative stress and the NF‑κB signaling pathway

The prevalence of autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is increasing, yet specific pharmacotherapies remain to be explored. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of sophoricoside (SOP), a bioactive component of medical herbs, on AIH and to elucidate the underlying mechanisms. Bioinformatic approaches were used to predict the potential targets and underlying regulatory mechanisms of SOP on AIH. The effects of SOP on AIH were evaluated by determining the expression levels of inflammatory cytokines, histological liver injury and hepatic fibrosis in an improved chronic cytochrome P450 2D6 (CYP2D6)‑AIH mouse model and in a model of concanavalin‑A (ConA)‑induced acute immune‑mediated liver injury. The antioxidant activity of SOP was detected in in vivo and in vitro experiments. The selected signal targeted by SOP in AIH was further confirmed using western blot analysis and immunofluorescence staining. The results of bioinformatic analysis revealed that the targets of SOP in AIH were related to oxidative stress and the NF‑κB gene set. The NF‑κB transcription factor family is a key player that controls both innate and adaptive immunity. The activation of the NF‑κB signaling pathway is often associated with autoimmune disorders. In the animal experiments, SOP attenuated CYP2D6/ConA‑induced AIH, as evidenced by a significant reduction in the levels of hepatic enzymes in serum, inflammatory cytokine expression and histological lesions in the liver. The oxidative response in AIH was also significantly inhibited by SOP, as evidenced by a decrease in the levels of hepatic malondialdehyde, and elevations in the total antioxidant capacity and glutathione peroxidase levels. The results of the in vivo and in vitro experiments revealed that SOP significantly reduced the enhanced expression and nuclear translocation of phosphorylated p65 NF‑κB in the livers of mice with AIH and in lipopolysaccharide‑stimulated AML12 cells. On the whole, the present study demonstrates the protective role of SOP in AIH, which may be mediated by limiting the oxidative response and the activation of the NF‑κB signaling pathway in hepatocytes.

Genistein interferes with antitumor effects of cisplatin in an ovariectomized breast cancer xenograft tumor model

Genistein (GEN) has been demonstrated to interfere with antitumor effects of cisplatin (CIS) in vitro. To analyze whether these findings are also relevant in vivo, we examined the effects of combined GEN and CIS treatment in an ovariectomized nude mouse breast cancer xenograft model. Tumor growth and markers for antitumor activity were determined after three weeks of treatment. Furthermore, the concentrations of GEN metabolites were measured in serum, liver, and xenograft tumor tissues using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Three weeks' oral exposure to GEN at a dose of 5 mg kg^-1·d^-1 resulted in an average concentration of total GEN metabolite equivalent as high as 0.2729 nmol g^-1 wet weight in xenograft tumor tissues. At this dosage, GEN significantly antagonized the antitumor effects of CIS. Mechanistically, GEN blocked both the inhibition of cell proliferation and induction of apoptosis triggered by CIS. Moreover, GEN concentrations in xenograft tumor tissues were found to be significantly higher than in serum and liver. In conclusion, our findings suggested that oral GEN exposure at a level comparable to dietary exposure in humans could interfere with CIS chemotherapy.

HPLC-UV/HRMS methods for the unambiguous detection of adulterations of Ginkgo biloba leaves with Sophora japonica fruits on an extract level

CONTEXT

Ginkgo biloba L. (Ginkgoaceae) leaf extract is one of the most frequently sold herbal extracts. There have been reports on poor quality and adulteration of ginkgo leaf extracts or the powdered plant material with extracts or powder of Styphnolobium japonicum (L.) Schott (Fabaceae) (syn. Sophora japonica L.) fruits, which is rich in flavone glycosides.

OBJECTIVE

The study investigates whether ginkgo leaves genuinely contain genistein and sophoricoside and whether these two substances could be used as markers to detect adulterations with sophora fruits.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 33 samples of dried ginkgo leaves were sourced from controlled plantations in China, the USA, and France. After extraction, the samples were analyzed using two high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled with UV/HRMS methods for the detection of genistein and sophoricoside, respectively. Chromatograms were compared to standard reference materials.

RESULTS

In none of the tested ginkgo samples, neither genistein nor sophoricoside could be detected. The applied method was designed to separate genistein from apigenin. The latter is a genuine compound of ginkgo leaves, and its peak may have been previously misidentified as genistein because of the same molecular mass. The method for the detection of sophoricoside allows identification of the adulteration with sophora fruit without prior hydrolysis. By both HPLC methods, it was possible to detect adulterations of ≥2% sophora fruits in the investigated ginkgo extract.

CONCLUSION

The methods allow unambiguous detection of adulterations of ginkgo leaves with sophora fruits, using genistein and sophoricoside as marker compounds.

A PSGL-1 glycomimetic reduces thrombus burden without affecting hemostasis

Events mediated by the P-selectin/PSGL-1 pathway play a critical role in the initiation and propagation of venous thrombosis by facilitating the accumulation of leukocytes and platelets within the growing thrombus. Activated platelets and endothelium express P-selectin, which binds P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1 (PSGL-1) that is expressed on the surface of all leukocytes. We developed a pegylated glycomimetic of the N terminus of PSGL-1, PEG40-GSnP-6 (P-G6), which proved to be a highly potent P-selectin inhibitor with a favorable pharmacokinetic profile for clinical translation. P-G6 inhibits human and mouse platelet-monocyte and platelet-neutrophil aggregation in vitro and blocks microcirculatory platelet-leukocyte interactions in vivo. Administration of P-G6 reduces thrombus formation in a nonocclusive model of deep vein thrombosis with a commensurate reduction in leukocyte accumulation, but without disruption of hemostasis. P-G6 potently inhibits the P-selectin/PSGL-1 pathway and represents a promising drug candidate for the prevention of venous thrombosis without increased bleeding risk.

Comparative pharmacokinetics of seven bioactive components in normal, sham-operated, and myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury rats after oral administration of the Salvia Miltiorrhiza-Moutan Cortex herb pair

Recently the Salvia Miltiorrhiza-Moutan Cortex (SM-MC) herb pair is considered as a promising Chinese medicinal mixture exhibiting a range of pharmacological activities, including treating cardiovascular disease due to its unique composition. In this study, we conducted the comparative pharmacokinetic analysis of seven main bioactive components of SM-MC in a different model rat. A straightforward ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) strategy that could simultaneously evaluate the levels of seven compounds was used to ensure the reliability of these pharmacokinetic analyses in rat plasma. The rat plasma samples were collected from normal, sham-operated, and myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (MIRI) groups at predetermined time points after the administration of SM-MC. The main pharmacokinetic parameters were detected and calculated. We successfully assessed the maximum concentration (C_max ), time to C_max (T_max ), the elimination rate constant (λ_z ), total half-life (t_1/2 ), total body clearance (CL), and the area under the concentration-time curve from 0 to last sampling time (AUC_0-t ) and extrapolated to infinity (AUC_0-∞ ). To sum up, an optimized UPLC-MS/MS approach that could be used to rapidly, simultaneously, and sensitively detect seven bioactive compounds derived from SM-MC extract preparations was successfully developed, which may offer a pharmacokinetic basis for preclinical and clinical studies of SM-MC herb pair for treating MIRI.

The potential health benefits of the isoflavone glycoside genistin

Genistin is a type of isoflavone glycoside and has a broad range of health benefits. It is found in a variety of dietary plants, such as soybean, kudzu (Japanese arrowroot), and other plant-based products. Genistin has been described to have several beneficial health impacts, such as decreasing the risk of osteoporosis and post-menopausal symptoms, as well as anti-cancer, anti-oxidative, cardioprotective, anti-apoptotic, neuroprotective, hepatoprotective, and anti-microbial activities. It may also assist individuals with metabolic syndrome. This review summarizes some of the molecular impacts and prospective roles of genistin in maintaining and treatment of health disorders. The review could help to develop novel genistin medicine with significant health benefits for application in the nutraceutical and pharmaceutical fields.

Enterohepatic Circulation and Pharmacokinetics of Genistin and Genistein in Rats

Genistin and its aglycone genistein of isoflavone are naturally occurring in plants. The aim of this study is to develop an experimental animal model of enterohepatic circulation to investigate the metabolic biotransformation of genistin and genistein in rats. A paired-rat model was developed in which the drug was administered intravenously to the donor rat whose bile duct was cannulated into the duodenum of the untreated recipient rat. The blood sample was collected from the jugular vein of the donor and recipient rats after genistin administration. The results demonstrate that genistein was detected in both the donor and recipient rats after genistein administration (50 mg/kg, iv) in the donor rat, which suggested that the enterohepatic circulation of genistein occurred. The same phenomenon happened again in the biotransformation after genistin administration (50 mg/kg, iv) in the donor rat. Genistein was detected in the recipient rat's blood sample after treatment with β-glucuronidase, which suggested that enzymatic hydrolysis occurred in the transformation of genistin into genistein. In conclusion, the research revealed the metabolic pathway of the glucuronidation of genistin into genistein.

Analysis of phenolic acids and flavonoids in leaves of Lycium barbarum from different habitats by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry

The leaves of Lycium barbarum (LLB) have been utilized as crude drugs and functional tea for human health in China and Southeast Asia for thousands of years. To control its quality, a rapid and sensitive ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry method was established and validated for the first time for simultaneous determination of 10 phenolic acids and flavonoids (including neochlorogenic acid, protocatechuic aldehyde, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, chlorogenic acid, cryptochlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, p-coumaric acid, ferulic acid, rutin and kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside) in LLB. The separation was performed on an Acquity UPLC C₁₈ chromatographic column (100 × 2.1 mm internal diameter, 1.7 μm particle size) with 0.1% formic acid in water (A)-acetonitrile (B) as the mobile phase under gradient elution. Multiple reaction monitoring mode was adopted to simultaneously monitor the target components. The developed method was fully validated in terms of linearity (r²  ≥ 0.9860), precision (RSD ≤ 6.58%), repeatability (RSD ≤ 6.60%), stability (RSD ≤ 6.17%), recovery (95.56-108.06%, RSD ≤ 4.64%) and limit of detection (0.021-0.664 ng/mL) and limit of quantitation (0.069-2.210 ng/mL), and then successfully applied to evaluate the quality of 64 batches of LLB collected from 41 producing areas in four different provinces of China. The results showed that the LLB, especially collected from Inner Mongolia regions, were rich in the phenolic acids and flavonoids. Rutin, kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside and chlorogenic acid are the predominant compounds contained in LLB. The above findings will provide helpful information for the effective utilization of LLB.

Development of a UHPLC-MS/MS Method for the Determination of Quercetin in Milk and its Application to a Pharmacokinetic Study

Introduction

Quercetin is a polyphenolic flavonoid which has been used in traditional Chinese medicine as a natural therapeutic agent with a broad spectrum of activities (antioxidant, anticancer, neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, antiviral and antibacterial). The aim of this study was to develop and validate a rapid and simple ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) method for the determination of quercetin in milk.

Material and Methods

Sample preparation was based on a liquid-liquid extraction with 0.5% formic acid in acetonitrile. The chromatographic separation was performed on a ZORBAX SB-C18 column with methanol and 0.5% formic acid as a mobile phase.

Results

The procedure was successfully validated. The mean recovery of the analyte was 98%, with the corresponding intra- and inter-day variation less than 10% and 15%, respectively, and the repeatability and reproducibility were in the range of 3%–7.2% and 6.1%–12%, respectively. The lowest level of quantification was 1.0 μg/kg.

Conclusion

The proposed method was successfully applied in evaluating the pharmacokinetics of quercetin in milk obtained from dairy cows with clinical mastitis after intramammary administration.

Phenolic compounds apigenin, hesperidin and kaempferol reduce in vitro lipid accumulation in human adipocytes

BACKGROUND

Adipocytes derived from human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are widely used to investigate adipogenesis. Taking into account both the novelty of these MSCs and the scarcity of studies focused on the effects of phenolic compounds, the aim of the present study was to analyze the effect of apigenin, hesperidin and kaempferol on pre-adipocyte and mature adipocytes derived from this type of cells. In addition, the expression of genes involved in TG accumulation was also measured.

METHODS

Pre-adipocytes were cultured from day 0 to day 8 and mature adipocytes for 48 h with the polyphenols at doses of 1, 10 and 25 µM.

RESULTS

Apigenin did not show an anti-adipogenic action. Pre-adipocytes treated with hesperidin and kaempferol showed reduced TG content at the three experimental doses. Apigenin did not modify the expression of the main adipogenic genes (c/ebpβ, c/ebpα, pparγ and srebp1c), hesperidin inhibited genes involved in the three phases of adipogenesis (c/ebpβ, srebp1c and perilipin) and kaempferol reduced c/ebpβ. In mature adipocytes, the three polyphenols reduced TG accumulation at the dose of 25 µM, but not at lower doses. All compounds increased mRNA levels of atgl. Apigenin and hesperidin decreased fasn expression. The present study shows the anti-adipogenic effect and delipidating effects of apigenin, hesperidin and kaempferol in human adipocytes derived from hMSCs. While hesperidin blocks all the stages of adipogenesis, kaempferol only inhibits the early stage. Regarding mature adipocytes, the three compounds reduce TG accumulation by activating, at least in part, lipolysis, and in the case of hesperidin and apigenin, also by reducing lipogenesis.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study shows for the first time the anti-adipogenic effect and delipidating effect of apigenin, hesperidin and kaempferol in human adipocytes derived from MSCs for the first time.

Stabilization of a non-aqueous self-double-emulsifying delivery system of rutin by fat crystals and nonionic surfactants: preparation and bioavailability study

Literature examples of non-aqueous Pickering emulsions stabilized by fat crystals are very rare. Moreover, the applications of rutin are limited due to its low solubility in both water and oils (less than 0.10 mg g^-1 and 0.25 mg g^-1, respectively). Thus, herein, we developed an optimum formulation of a non-aqueous self-double-emulsifying delivery system (SDEDS) containing rutin and evaluated its oral bioavailability. The new formulation stabilized by fat crystals (glycerol monostearate, GMS) and nonionic surfactants was prepared via a two-step emulsification process. The presence of a mixture of GMS crystals and nonionic surfactants effectively improves the stability of the emulsions. The non-aqueous SDEDS spontaneously forms oil-in-oil-in-water (O/O/W) double emulsions in the gastrointestinal environment with the inner oil phase mainly containing the active ingredients. It is stable at both 4 °C and 25 °C for 30 days and could enhance the dissolution properties of the active ingredients. Furthermore, the protection of rutin against digestion-mediated precipitation was observed when the formulation contained a high concentration of GMS crystals. The oral absolute bioavailability of rutin obtained from SDEDS (8.62%) is 1.76-fold higher than that of the actives suspension (4.90%). Thus, the non-aqueous SDEDS is an attractive candidate for the encapsulation of water-insoluble and simultaneously oil-insoluble nutrients (such as rutin) and for use in oral delivery applications.

A simple and sensitive UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS method for sophoricoside metabolism study in vitro and in vivo

Sophoricoside (SOPH) is an isoflavone glycoside isolated from Fructus Sophorae, and it has the effects on reproductive system. Currently, a strategy was firstly developed to identify the metabolites of SOPH in vitro and in vivo using ultra high performance liquid chromatography coupled with hybrid triple quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS). Based on the proposed method, 60 metabolites were structurally characterized in vivo including 22 phase I and 38 phase II metabolites, and 4 metabolites in vitro were detected containing 2 phase I and 2 phase II metabolites. The results indicated that the metabolic pathways mainly included oxidation, reduction, hydrolysis, methylation, sulfate, glucuronide, glutamine and glycine conjugation. These results will provide basic data for future pharmacological and toxicology studies of SOPH and other isoflavone glycoside.

Protective effects of Fructus sophorae extract on collagen-induced arthritis in BALB/c mice

Styphnolobium japonicum (L.) is utilized in Korean medicine for the treatment of various inflammatory diseases. The aim of the present study was to explore the effects of Fructus sophorae extract (FSE) isolated from the dried ripe fruit of S. japonicum (L.) on the development of type II collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) in BALB/c mice. The CIA mice were orally administered FSE or saline daily for 2 weeks. The incidence and severity of disease and the inflammatory response in the serum and the joint tissues were assessed. Macroscopic and histological investigation indicated that FSE protected against CIA development. FSE was associated with a significant reduction in the levels of total immunoglobulin G2a and proinflammatory cytokines and mediators in the serum. In addition, FSE suppressed the gene expression levels of proinflammatory cytokines and mediators, the mediator of osteoclastic bone remodeling, the receptor activator of nuclear factor κ-B ligand and matrix metalloproteinases in the joint tissues. The present results suggest that FSE may protect against inflammation and bone damage, and would be a valuable candidate for further investigation as a novel anti-arthritic agent.

Optimization of Microwave-Assisted Extraction Conditions for Five Major Bioactive Compounds from Flos Sophorae Immaturus (Cultivars of Sophora japonica L.) Using Response Surface Methodology

Microwave-assisted extraction was applied to extract rutin; quercetin; genistein; kaempferol; and isorhamnetin from Flos Sophorae Immaturus. Six independent variables; namely; solvent type; particle size; extraction frequency; liquid-to-solid ratio; microwave power; and extraction time were examined. Response surface methodology using a central composite design was employed to optimize experimental conditions (liquid-to-solid ratio; microwave power; and extraction time) based on the results of single factor tests to extract the five major components in Flos Sophorae Immaturus. Experimental data were fitted to a second-order polynomial equation using multiple regression analysis. Data were also analyzed using appropriate statistical methods. Optimal extraction conditions were as follows: extraction solvent; 100% methanol; particle size; 100 mesh; extraction frequency; 1; liquid-to-solid ratio; 50:1; microwave power; 287 W; and extraction time; 80 s. A rapid and sensitive ultra-high performance liquid chromatography method coupled with electrospray ionization quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry (EIS-Q-TOF MS/MS) was developed and validated for the simultaneous determination of rutin; quercetin; genistein; kaempferol; and isorhamnetin in Flos Sophorae Immaturus. Chromatographic separation was accomplished on a Kinetex C18 column (100 mm × 2.1 mm; 2.6 μm) at 40 °C within 5 min. The mobile phase consisted of 0.1% aqueous formic acid and acetonitrile (71:29; v/v). Isocratic elution was carried out at a flow rate of 0.35 mL/min. The constituents of Flos Sophorae Immaturus were simultaneously identified by EIS-Q-TOF MS/MS in multiple reaction monitoring mode. During quantitative analysis; all of the calibration curves showed good linear relationships (R² > 0.999) within the tested ranges; and mean recoveries ranged from 96.0216% to 101.0601%. The precision determined through intra- and inter-day studies showed an RSD% of <2.833%. These results demonstrate that the developed method is accurate and effective and could be readily utilized for the comprehensive quality control of Flos Sophorae Immaturus.

Improved blood-brain barrier distribution: effect of borneol on the brain pharmacokinetics of kaempferol in rats by in vivo microdialysis sampling

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Kaempferol (KA) exists in a variety of herbal medicines. In vitro and in vivo studies have focused on the anti-Alzheimer effect of KA. However, little is known about its brain pharmacokinetic profile. The accumulated amount of KA in brain is very low because of the protection of blood-brain barrier (BBB). Borneol (BO) is a classical aromatic refreshing traditional Chinese medicine and commonly used as an adjuvant component of traditional Chinese medicines (e.g. compound Danshen dropping pills) in the treatment of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. According to the basic theories of traditional Chinese medicine, BO is called an "upper guiding drug", which can guide other components to the targeting tissues or organs in the upper part of the body, especially in the brain.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The probes for blood and brain sampling were implanted within the jugular vein/right atrium and right hippocampus of SD rats, respectively. Rats were intravenous administered of KA (25 mg/kg) alone or combined with BO (15, 30 mg/kg) via caudal vein. The blood and brain microdialysates were collected every 15 min for 180 min and every 30 min for 180-300 min. A selective and sensitive high performance liquid chromatography-chemiluminescence method was developed for the determination of unbound KA in rat blood and brain microdialysates, which can be converted to their actual free-form concentrations based on the in vivo relative recoveries of KA across microdialysis probes.

RESULTS

KA quickly crossed the BBB to enter the extracellular fluid of hippocampus and reached the maximum concentration of 0.11 μg/mL within 30 min. The brain bioavailability and brain delivery of KA evidently increased with the co-administration of 15 and 30 mg/kg of BO. The AUC0-inf of KA in brain increased 1.84 and 2.19 times, and the Cmax of KA in brain increased 2.09 and 3.18 times than that without BO, respectively. In addition, the brain-to-blood distribution ratio of KA increased by 48.68% and 57.97% compared with that without BO. However, no significant difference in the T1/2 of unbound KA in blood aserved between three groups.

CONCLUSIONS

BO can enhance the BBB permeability and improve the transportation of KA to brain. The dose-dependent effect of BO on the brain pharmacokinetic parameters of KA was observed. This co-administration strategy can be designed to enhance the brain accumulation of other neuropsychiatric medications.

Qualitative and quantitative determination of 15 main active constituents in Fructus Sophorae pill by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry

Background:

Fructus Sophorae pill, one of the traditional Chinese medicine, was widely used for hemorrhoids, hypertension and odontalgia. This paper describes a sensitive and specific assay for the determination of the 15 active constituents (sophoricoside, genistin, genistein, rutin, quercetin, kaempferol, baicalein, baicalin, naringin, naringenin, hesperidin, neohesperidin, wogonin and cimifugin, prim-O-glucosylcimifugin) in Fructus Sophorae pill.

Materials and Methods:

Chromatographic separation was performed on a C₁₈ column with acidified aqueous methanol gradients at a flow rate of 0.8 mL/min. The identification and quantification of the analytes were achieved by use of a hybrid quadrupole linear ion trap mass spectrometer. Multiple-reaction monitoring scanning was applied to quantification with switching electrospray ion source polarity between positive and negative modes.

Results:

The proposed method was used to analyze 40 batches of samples with good linearity (r, 0.9990-0.9999), intraday precisions (RSD, 0.14-2.55%), interday precisions (RSD, 0.51-2.81%), stability (RSD, 0.31-2.65%), and recovery (RSD, 1.29-2.95%) of the 15 compounds. In addition, the hierarchical cluster analysis, including a method called furthest neighbor and nearest neighbor, was employed to classify samples according to characteristics of the 15 constituents.

Conclusion:

The results indicated that the analytical method was rapid, reliable, simple and suitable for the quality evaluation of Fructus Sophorae pill.

LC-MS/MS determination and pharmacokinetic study of seven flavonoids in rat plasma after oral administration of Cirsium japonicum DC. extract

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Cirsium japonicum DC., a Traditional Chinese Medicine, has the curative effect of antihemorrhagic and antitumor. Pharmacological studies prove that the curative effect may relate to the flavonoids. A simple and rapid resolution liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method was first developed and validated for the quantification of seven flavonoids including pectolinarin, linarin, pectolinarigenin, hispidulin, diosmetin, acacetin and apigenin in rat plasma after oral administration of Cirsium japonicum DC. extract.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The chromatographic separation was achieved on a C18 column with gradient elution by using a mixture of 0.1% formic acid aqueous solution and methanol as the mobile phase at a flow rate of 0.8mL/min. A tandem mass spectrometric detection was conducted using multiple-reaction monitoring (MRM) via an electrospray ionization (ESI) source in positive and negative ionization mode simultaneously. Samples were pre-treated by a single-step protein precipitation with methanol, and sulfamethoxazole was used as internal standard (IS).

RESULTS

The optimized mass transition ion-pairs (m/z) for quantization were 623.4/315.2 for pectolinarin, 593.3/285.1 for linarin, 315.3/300.2 for pectolinarigenin, 301.2/286.2 for hispidulin, 301.2/258.2 for diosmetin, 283.0/267.9 for acacetin, 269.0/117.0 for apigenin and 252.2/155.8 for IS. After oral administration of 6mL/kg Cirsium japonicum DC. extract in rats, the maximum plasma concentration (Cmax) of pectolinarin, linarin, pectolinarigenin, hispidulin, diosmetin, acacetin and apigenin were 876.77±97.34ng/mL, 86.79±1.70ng/mL, 6.13±0.12ng/mL, 32.85±2.50ng/mL, 37.2±2.04ng/mL, 19.02±1.29ng/mL and 148.26±20.63ng/mL, respectively. The time to reach the maximum plasma concentration (Tmax) was 5min for pectolinarin, linarin, pectolinarigenin, hispidulin, diosmetin, acacetin and 360min for apigenin. The intra-day and inter-day precisions (RSD%) for seven compounds were less than 13.16% and 7.77% and the accuracy (RE%) range from -7.92% to 14.77%.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first research on the pharmacokinetic study of bioactive components in rat plasma after oral administration of Cirsium japonicum DC. extract. The results provided a meaningful basis for better understanding the absorption mechanism of Cirsium japonicum DC. and evaluating the clinical application of this herb medicine.

Effective bioconversion of sophoricoside to genistein from Fructus sophorae using immobilized Aspergillus niger and Yeast

In this study, sophoricoside from Fructus sophorae was highly bioconversed to genistein by co-immobilized Aspergillus niger and Yeast. Bioconversion conditions for genistein were optimized with single-factor experiments. The optimal conditions were as follows: microbial concentration 1.5 × 10(7) cells/mL, wet weight of microorganisms beads 10.0 g/g material, pH 5, ratio of liquid to solid 25:1 (mL/g), temperature 32 °C and time 24 h. Under these conditions, a 34.45-fold increase in production of genistein was observed with a bioreactor. Moreover, the antioxidant activities of the extracts from the fermented and untreated F. sophorae were 0.287 ± 0.11, 0.384 ± 0.08 mg/mL (IC50) and 1.84 ± 0.13, 1.28 ± 0.25 mmol Fe(II)/g, according to the DPPH test and FRAP assay, respectively. The results indicated that the method described in the current work were valuable procedure for the production of genistein, which is of most importance for industrial scale applications as well as food industry.

Abelmoschi Corolla non-flavonoid components altered the pharmacokinetic profile of its flavonoids in rat

AIM

Abelmoschi Corolla is a well-known herbal medicine used for the treatment of chronic renal disease. Flavonoids are the major bioactive ingredients of Abelmoschi Corolla, but some non-flavonoid components also exist in this herb. In order to clarify the influences of non-flavonoid components on the pharmacokinetics profile of the flavonoid fraction from Abelmoschi Corolla (FFA), an investigation was carried out to compare the pharmacokinetic parameters of seven flavonoid components after administration of FFA and after administration of FFA combined with different non-flavonoid fractions.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A selective and sensitive UPLC-MS/MS method was established to determine the plasma concentrations of the seven compounds. Sprague-Dawley rats were allocated to four groups which orally administered FFA, FFA combined with macromolecular fraction (FFA-MF), FFA combined with small molecule fraction (FFA-SF) and FFA combined with MF-SF (FFA-MF-SF) with approximately the same dose of FFA. At different time points, the concentration of rutin (1), hyperoside (2), isoquercitrin (3), hibifolin (4), myricetin (5), quercetin-3'-O-glucose (6), quercetin (7) in rat plasma were determined and main pharmacokinetic parameters including T(1/2), T(max), AUC and C(max) were calculated using the DAS 2.0 software package. The statistical analysis was performed using the Student's t-test with P<0.05 as the level of significance.

RESULTS

Flavonoids almost had similar pharmacokinetics profile that were rapidly absorbed, reached the peak concentration at 30-60 min in group A, but the pharmacokinetic profiles and parameters of these flavonoids changed when co-administered with non-flavonoid components. It was found that AUC of five flavonoids but not hibifolin and quercetin in group FFA-SF and group FFA-MF-SF increased (P<0.05) in comparison with group FFA while the tendency was not observed in group FFA-MF. Moreover, seven flavonoids had varying degrees of differences in the pharmacokinetics parameters such as C(max), T(max) and T(1/2) (P<0.05) in group FFA-MF, FFA-SF and FFA-MF-SF by comparison with group FFA.

CONCLUSION

These results indicate that non-flavonoid components could improve the bioavailability and delay the elimination of some flavonoids in rat.

Simultaneous determination of four flavonoids and one phenolic acid in rat plasma by LC-MS/MS and its application to a pharmacokinetic study after oral administration of the Herba Desmodii Styracifolii extract

A sensitive and selective liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method was developed and validated for the simultaneous determination of four flavonoids (schaftoside, isovitexin, luteolin, and apigenin) and one phenolic acid (ferulic acid) in rat plasma using sulfamethoxazole as the internal standard (IS). The separation was performed using a Diamonsil C18 column, which was eluted with methanol (A) and 0.1‰ acetic acid (B). The gradient condition was as follows: 0-5min, 40-60% A; 5-6min, 60-95% A; and 6-10min, maintained at 95% A. The analytes were detected using a hybrid quadrupole linear ion trap mass spectrometer that was equipped with an electrospray ionization source in the negative ion and multiple-reaction monitoring modes. A full validation of the method was performed. The linearity of the analytical response was good, with correlation coefficients greater than 0.9925 for all of the compounds within the concentration range. The lower limits of quantitation (LLOQ) of schaftoside, isovitexin, luteolin, apigenin, and ferulic acid in rat plasma were 1.66, 0.84, 3.69, 1.70, and 3.91ng/mL, respectively. The intra-day and inter-day precisions of the investigated components exhibited an RSD within 13.20%, and the accuracy (RE%) ranged from -8.47% to 10.90%. The results indicated that the developed method is sufficiently reliable for the pharmacokinetic study of schaftoside, isovitexin, apigenin, luteolin, and ferulic acid in rats following oral administration of the Herba Desmodii Styracifolii extract.

Recent developments in the field of the determination of constituents of TCMs in body fluids of animals and human

Although traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) play important role in drug discovery and human health, the actual value of TCMs has not been fully recognized worldwide due to its complex components and uncontrollable quality. For the modernization and globalization of TCMs, it is important to establish selective, sensitive and feasible analytical methods for determination and quantification of bioactive components of TCMs in body fluids primarily due to the low concentration, the complex nature of the biological matrices, and multi-components and their metabolites present in biological fluids. The present review summarizes the current extraction techniques, chromatographic separation and spectroscopic (especially mass spectrometric) analysis methods and new trends on the analysis of bioactive components and metabolites of TCMs in biological fluids. In addition, the importance of establishment of pharmacokinetics and bioavailability profiles and simultaneous determination of multi-active components in TCMs is discussed to provide proper examples of analytical methods for pharmacological and clinical studies of TCMs.

Simultaneous quantification of paeoniflorin, nobiletin, tangeretin, liquiritigenin, isoliquiritigenin, liquiritin and formononetin from Si-Ni-San extract in rat plasma and tissues by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

In this study, a sensitive and reliable liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method was developed and validated for the determination of seven bioactive components including paeoniflorin, nobiletin, tangeretin, liquiritigenin, isoliquiritigenin, liquiritin and formononetin in rat plasma and tissues after oral administration of Si-Ni-San extract using astragaloside IV as internal standard (IS). The plasma and tissue samples were extracted by solid-phase extraction. Chromatographic separation was accomplished on a C18 column with a multiple-step gradient elution. The quantification was obtained by scanning with multiple reaction monitoring via an electrospray ionization source that was operated by switching between the positive and negative modes in two MS/MS scan segments. Full validation of the assay was implemented. In conclusion, this method demonstrated good linearity and specificity. The lower limits of quantification for the analytes were <7.5 ng/mL. Intra- and inter-day precisions (RSD) were <12.5% and accuracy (RE) ranged from -10.2 to 7.3%. The average recoveries of the analytes from rat plasma and tissues were >65.2% and 58.6%, respectively. The validated method was further applied to the determination of actual rat plasma and tissues after oral administration of Si-Ni-San extract. The results provided a meaningful basis for the clinical application of this prescription.