Pharmacokinetics of eupalinolide A, eupalinolide B and hyperoside from Eupatorium lindleyanum in rats by LC/MS/MS

Characterization of the metabolism of eupalinolide A and B by carboxylesterase and cytochrome P450 in human liver microsomes

Eupalinolide A (EA; Z-configuration) and eupalinolide B (EB; E-configuration) are bioactive cis-trans isomers isolated from Eupatorii Lindleyani Herba that exert anti-inflammatory and antitumor effects. Although one pharmacokinetic study found that the metabolic parameters of the isomers were different in rats, metabolic processes relevant to EA and EB remain largely unknown. Our preliminary findings revealed that EA and EB are rapidly hydrolyzed by carboxylesterase. Here, we investigated the metabolic stability and enzyme kinetics of carboxylesterase-mediated hydrolysis and cytochrome P450 (CYP)-mediated oxidation of EA and EB in human liver microsomes (HLMs). We also explored differences in the hydrolytic stability of EA and EB in human liver microsomes and rat liver microsomes (RLMs). Moreover, cytochrome P450 reaction phenotyping of the isomers was performed via in silico methods (i.e., using a quantitative structure-activity relationship model and molecular docking) and confirmed using human recombinant enzymes. The total normalized rate approach was considered to assess the relative contributions of five major cytochrome P450s to EA and EB metabolism. We found that EA and EB were eliminated rapidly, mainly by carboxylesterase-mediated hydrolysis, as compared with cytochrome P450-mediated oxidation. An inter-species difference was observed as well, with faster rates of EA and EB hydrolysis in rat liver microsomes. Furthermore, our findings confirmed EA and EB were metabolized by multiple cytochrome P450s, among which CYP3A4 played a particularly important role.

Qualitative and quantitative analysis of chemical components in Eupatorium lindleyanum DC. by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry integrated with anti-inflammatory activity research

As a traditional Chinese medicine, Eupatorium lindleyanum DC. has an effect on resolving phlegm, relieving cough, and relieving asthma. In this study, an ultra high performance liquid chromatography with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry method was established for qualitative analysis of Eupatorium lindleyanum. Besides, we developed an ultra high performance liquid chromatography with triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry method in positive and negative multiple reaction monitor modes for the quantitative analysis of 27 chemical constituents from 19 different batches of Eupatorium lindleyanum. The methodology validated linearity, intraday and interday precision, stability, repeatability, and recovery. The results showed that there were some differences in different batches of Eupatorium lindleyanum, which might be attributed to the influence of different growth environments and climatic conditions on the accumulation of compounds. The variable importance of projection value of orthogonal partial least square discriminant analysis and anti-inflammatory activity test showed that eupalinolide A, B, C, and K have high content and strong activity, which could provide a reference for the follow-up study of the quality markers of Eupatorium lindleyanum. Collectively, we developed a rapid and efficient method for the qualitative analysis and simultaneous quantification of Eupatorium lindleyanum, which was beneficial for the comprehensive utilization and development of resources.

Traditional Applications, Phytochemistry, and Pharmacological Activities of Eupatorium lindleyanum DC.: A Comprehensive Review

Eupatorium lindleyanum DC. (EL) has a long history of traditional use in China to cure coughs, chronic bronchitis, lobar pneumonia, and hypertension. Because of this extensive use of EL in traditional medicine, this present review gives a systematic overview of the conventional applications, phytochemistry, and pharmacological effects of the herb. Literature was systematically searched using the scientific databases ScienceDirect, SciFinder, CNKI, Wiley, Baidu Scholar, SpringerLink, PubMed, Web of Science, and other professional websites. Information was also gathered from books on traditional Chinese herbal medicine, the Chinese Pharmacopoeia and Chinese Materia Medica. To date, many preparations of EL have been widely used clinically to treat various diseases of the respiratory system. More than 100 compounds have been isolated from the herb, including triterpenes, sesquiterpenes, sesquiterpene lactones, flavonoids, acyclic diterpenoids, sterols, and so on. Among them, terpenoids are considered to be the most important bioactive substances in EL. The pharmacological functions of EL, including anti-asthmatic, anti-tussive, anti-inflammatory, anti-hyperlipidemic, anti-hypertensive, anti-virus, and anti-tumor activities, have been widely investigated. However, most of the studies are preclinical research. Further studies are required to examine the underlying mechanisms of action. Traditionally, EL is used for treating many diseases, especially respiratory diseases. Unfortunately, up to now, modern studies have not yet well elucidated the conventional usage of EL. Most importantly, its biological activities and the corresponding constituents are still unclear. Moreover, studies on the pharmacokinetics and toxicity of EL are few, so data on the clinical safety of EL are lacking. Taken together, research work on EL is quite preliminary. More in-depth studies of phytochemistry, pharmacological activities, pharmacokinetics, and toxicity of the herb are needed. This review aims to provide valuable information on EL to guide future investigations and applications.

Effect of hyperoside on the apoptosis of A549 human non‑small cell lung cancer cells and the underlying mechanism

Hyperoside (HY) is a major pharmacologically active component from Prunella vulgaris L. and Hypericum perforatum. The present study aimed to determine the anticancer effect of HY and determine the underlying mechanisms involved. Human A549 cells were treated with HY (10, 50 and 100 µM), and cell viability was detected by an MTT assay. Cell apoptosis and mitochondrial membrane potential were determined by flow cytometry. Western blot analysis was used to identify the expression of apoptosis-associated proteins and phosphorylation of MAPK. The present study demonstrated that HY significantly inhibited the viability of A549 cells in a time- and dose-dependent manner, and enhanced the percentage of apoptotic cells. HY also significantly increased the protein phosphorylation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), disrupted mitochondrial membrane penetrability, and triggered the release of mitochondrial cytochrome c and apoptosis-inducing factor into the cytosol. Treatment with HY also activated the expression of caspase-9 and caspase-3. These results suggested that HY-induced apoptosis was associated with activation of the p38 MAPK- and JNK-induced mitochondrial death pathway. HY may offer potential for clinical applications in treating human non-small cell lung cancer and improving cancer chemotherapy.

Simultaneous Determination and Pharmacokinetic Study of Six Components in Rat Plasma by HPLC-MS/MS after Oral Administration of Acanthopanax sessiliflorus Fruit Extract

A specific and reliable HPLC-MS/MS method was developed and validated for the simultaneous determination of protocatechuic acid (PCA), scopolin, (−)-pinoresinol-4,4′-di-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (PDG), acanthoside D, acanthoside B and hyperin in rat plasma for the first time. The analytes were separated on a C₁₈ column (50 × 2.1 mm, 1.8 µm) and a triple-quadrupole mass spectrometer equipped with an electrospray ionization (ESI) source was used for detection. The rat plasma sample was prepared using the protein precipitation procedure. The calibration curves were linear over a concentration range of 1.2–1200.0 ng/mL for PCA, 0.96–960.0 ng/mL for scopolin, 1.12–1120.0 ng/mL for PDG, 1.32–1320.0 ng/mL for acanthoside D, 0.99–990.0 ng/mL for acanthoside B and 1.01–1010.0 ng/mL for hyperin. The intra-day and inter-day precision was less than 11.4% and the relative error (RE) was all within ±15%. The validated method was successfully applied to assess the pharmacokinetics characteristics after the extracts of Acanthopanax sessiliflorus fruits were orally administered to the Sprague-Dawley rat.