Development of an ultra-fast liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry method for simultaneous determination of seven flavonoids in rat plasma: Application to a comparative pharmacokinetic investigation of Ginkgo biloba extract and single pure ginkgo flavonoids after oral administration

A bibliometric and thematic analysis of the trends in the research on ginkgo biloba extract from 1985 to 2022

Background

Ginkgo biloba extract (GBE), a complementary and alternative medicine, has been widely used for disorders such as brain infarction, dementia, and coronary heart disease, in recent decades. Given its widespread clinical use, GBE has always been a vital research topic. However, there are no bibliometric analyses on this topic; furthermore, published reviews of GBE focus only on a specific research field or lack scientific and systematic evaluation. This study combined bibliometrics with thematic reviews by visual analysis to identify the current status of GBE research and to better identify research hotspots and trends in the past 40 years to understand future developments in basic and clinical research.

Methods

Articles and reviews on GBE were retrieved by topic from the Web of Science Core Collection from inception to 2022.12.01. Countries, institutions, authors, journals, references, and keywords in the field were visually analyzed using CiteSpace, Scimago Graphica, and VOSviewer software; then, these visualization results for references and keywords were clarified in detail by thematic reviews in subdivisions of the fields.

Results

In total, 2015 publications were included. The GBE-related literature has high volumes of publications and citations. The majority of literature is from China, and the USA cooperates most closely with other countries. In GBE research, Christen Yves is the most cited author, Phytotherapy Research is the most prolific journal, and the Journal of Ethnopharmacology is the most co-cited journal. Through a comprehensive analysis of keywords, references, and reviews, the quality of the meta-analysis of randomized controlled clinical trials of GBE in treating dementia was evaluated by the Risk of Bias in Systematic Reviews scale (ROBIS). Current research on GBE focuses on its pharmacological mechanisms, and neuroprotective application in diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, and glaucoma. Randomized controlled trials are the current research hotspot.

Conclusion

Research on GBE is flourishing; using bibliometric and thematic analysis, we identified its hotspots and trends. The pharmacological mechanisms and clinical applications of GBE are the focus of present and likely future research.

Study on Integrated Pharmacokinetics of the Component-Based Chinese Medicine of Ginkgo biloba Leaves Based on Nanocrystalline Solid Dispersion Technology

Background

To improve the dissolution and bioavailability of the component-based Chinese medicine of Ginkgo biloba leaves (GBCCM), a novel nanocrystalline solid dispersion of GBCCM (GBCCM NC-SD) was first prepared.

Methods

GBCCM mainly containing high pure flavonoid aglycones (FAs) and terpenoid lactones (TLs) was used as the model drug. PVP K30 and SDS were used as solubilizers, combined stabilizers and carriers, and GBCCM NC-SD was prepared by high-pressure homogenization combined with freeze-dryer. Morphology and crystal characteristic of GBCCM NC-SD were analyzed. The dissolution and bioavailability evaluation were performed to investigate the feasibility of GBCCM NC-SD by in vitro dissolution and in vivo integrated pharmacokinetic models.

Results

After homogenizing for 30 cycles under the pressure of 650 bar and freeze-drying, GBCCM NC-SD with uniform quality would be obtained. The particle size, PDI and zeta potential were found to be 335.9 ± 32.8 nm, 0.29 ± 0.02 and −28.4 ± 0.7 mV respectively. Based on charged aerosol detector (CAD) technology, a new chromatographic method for simultaneous detection of eight components in GBCCM was developed. In vitro drug release study showed that the cumulative dissolution of FAs and TLs in GBCCM NC-SD increased from 12.77% to 52.92% (P < 0.01) and 90.91% to 99.21% (P < 0.05) respectively. In comparison with physical mixture of GBCCM and stabilizer (PM), the integrated pharmacokinetics AUC_0-t of FAs and TLs in GBCCM NC-SD were significantly increased (P < 0.05), and the T_1/2 of TLs was also significantly prolonged (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

This study demonstrated that novel GBCCM NC-SD was prepared using Polyvinylpyrrolidone K30 (PVP K30) and Sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) as a synergetic stabilizer and also provided a feasible way to improve the dissolution and oral bioavailability of poorly soluble candidate antihypertensive drugs.

A flower-like ionic molecularly imprinted membrane for the deglycosylation of rutin

A kind of molecularly imprinted polymer based on ionic liquids (MIPIL) with flower-like shape was developed for the adsorption of rutin and its deglycosylated product. The MIPIL film was characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and X-ray photo-electron spectroscopy (XPS). The adsorption capacity of quercetin on the proposed imprinted cavity of rutin in the presence of glucose and rhamnose was 3.7 ± 0.017 times as much as that in the absence of glucose and rhamnose. And the adsorption capacity of quercetin varied with the concentration of glucose and rhamnose changing. Thus, the proposed MIPIL film coupled with HPLC was used to explore the deglycosylation of rutin by tracking rutin and quercetin, which confirmed to the pseudo-first-order reaction kinetic with the constant of 0.044 ± 1.5 × 10^-4 min^-1 at 35 °C. The rutin and quercetin were quantified using the above MIPIL film in the two Ginkgo leaves extracted by pure water and pure ethanol, respectively. Because of lower solubility in water, the content of rutin in ethanol extraction solution was higher than in water solution. On the contrary, the content of quercetin in water extraction solution was higher than in ethanol solution, which resulted from the higher solubility of glucose and rhamnose in water. The RSD ranged from 2.8 to 4.5%, and the recovery rate ranged from 91.9 to 105.3%.

Pharmacokinetic, Metabolism, and Metabolomic Strategies Provide Deep Insight Into the Underlying Mechanism of Ginkgo biloba Flavonoids in the Treatment of Cardiovascular Disease

Ginkgo biloba, known as the “living fossil,” has a long history of being used as botanical drug for treating cardiovascular diseases and the content of flavonoids as high as 24%. More than 110 different kinds of flavonoids and their derivatives have been separated from G. biloba, including flavones, flavonols, biflavonoids, catechins, and their glycosides, etc., all of which display the ability to dilate blood vessels, regulate blood lipids, and antagonize platelet activating factor, and protect against ischemic damage. At present, many types of preparations based on G. biloba extract or the bioactive flavonoids of it have been developed, which are mostly used for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. We herein review recent progress in understanding the metabolic regulatory processes and gene regulation of cellular metabolism in cardiovascular diseases of G. biloba flavonoids. First, we present the cardioprotective flavonoids of G. biloba and their possible pharmacological mechanism. Then, it is the pharmacokinetic and liver and gut microbial metabolism pathways that enable the flavonoids to reach the target organ to exert effect that is analyzed. In the end, we review the possible endogenous pathways toward restoring lipid metabolism and energy metabolism as well as detail novel metabolomic methods for probing the cardioprotective effect of flavonoids of G. biloba.

Pharmacokinetic study of Tangwang Mingmu granule for the management of diabetic retinopathy based on network pharmacology

CONTEXT

Tangwang Mingmu granule (TWMM), a traditional Chinese medicine, has been widely used in the treatment of diabetic retinopathy (DR), the most common microvascular complication in diabetes mellitus.

OBJECTIVE

To establish a method to select target compounds from herbs for a pharmacokinetic study using network pharmacology, which could be applied in clinical settings.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

First, UPLC/Q Exactive Q-Orbitrap and GCMS 2010 were used to determine the non-volatile and volatile ingredients of TWMM. Based on the identified compounds, network pharmacology was used to screen the key compounds and targets of TWMM in the treatment of DR. Based on the compound-target-pathway network and identification of components emigrant into blood, the potential compound markers in vivo were chosen. Then, Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were administrated of TWMM at a 9.6 g/kg dose to investigating pharmacokinetic parameters using the UPLC-QQQ-MS.

RESULTS

Ninety and forty-five compounds were identified by UPLC-MS and GC-MS, respectively. Based on the network pharmacology, nine compounds with a degree value above 15 were screened and implied that these compounds are the most active in DR treatment. Moreover, criteria of degree value greater than 7 were applied, and PTGS2, NOS2, AKT1, ESR1, TNF, and MAPK14 were inferred as the core targets in treating DR. After identification of components absorbed into blood, luteolin and formononetin were selected and used to investigate the pharmacokinetic parameters of TWMM after its oral administration.

CONCLUSIONS

The reported strategy provides a method that combines ingredient profiling, network pharmacology, and pharmacokinetics to determine luteolin and formononetin as the pharmacokinetic markers of TWMM. This strategy provides a clinically relevant methodology that allows for the screening of pharmacokinetic markers in Chinese medicines.

Target profiling of flavonol glycosides in the extract of Ginkgo biloba leaf and their pharmacokinetics in rat plasma by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry

The extract of Ginkgo biloba leaf is a popular herbal product or dietary supplement in the world to treat various diseases, and flavonol glycosides are considered as the main bioactive constituents. In this study, 37 flavonol glycosides were rapidly screened out by precursor ion scanning in positive ion mode with production ions at m/z 287.05, 303.05, and 317.06. Subsequently, a reliable and sensitive ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with triple quadrupole-linear ion trap mass spectrometry approach was established and validated to quantify the 20 prototype flavonol glycosides in rat plasma. Calibration curves showed good linearity (R² ≥ 0.9894) over the corresponding concentration range. The precision, accuracy, extraction recovery, matrix effect, and stability were also satisfactory. The validated method was successfully applied to a pharmacokinetic study of prototype flavonol glycosides in rat after oral administration of the extract of G. biloba leaf. As a result, the T_max of flavonol glycosides was short at 0.11-0.60 h. Quercetin-3-O-(2",6″-di-O-rhamnosyl)-glucoside, kaempferol-3-O-(2'',6''-di-O-rhamnosyl)-glucoside, quercetin-3-O-rutinoside, quercetin- 3-O-glucosyl-(1-2)-O-rhamnoside, and kaempferol-3-O-glucoside presented relatively high systemic exposure levels with AUC_0-∞  > 500 μg h/L and C_max  > 100 μg/L. This study would provide the valuable information for further scientific research and clinical application of the extract of G. biloba leaf.

Linarin, a Glycosylated Flavonoid, with Potential Therapeutic Attributes: A Comprehensive Review

Many flavonoids, as eminent phenolic compounds, have been commercialized and consumed as dietary supplements due to their incredible human health benefits. In the present study, a bioactive flavone glycoside linarin (LN) was designated to comprehensively overview its phytochemical and biological properties. LN has been characterized abundantly in the Cirsium, Micromeria, and Buddleja species belonging to Asteraceae, Lamiaceae, and Scrophulariaceae families, respectively. Biological assessments exhibited promising activities of LN, particularly, the remedial effects on central nervous system (CNS) disorders, whereas the remarkable sleep enhancing and sedative effects as well as AChE (acetylcholinesterase) inhibitory activity were highlighted. Of note, LN has indicated promising anti osteoblast proliferation and differentiation, thus a bone formation effect. Further biological and pharmacological assessments of LN and its optimized semi-synthetic derivatives, specifically its therapeutic characteristics on osteoarthritis and osteoporosis, might lead to uncovering potential drug candidates.

LC-MS/MS Determination of Apigenin in Rat Plasma and Application to Pharmacokinetic Study

BACKGROUND

Apigenin, a natural plant flavone, has been shown to possess a variety of biological properties.

OBJECTIVE

In this report, a highly selective and sensitive LC-MS/MS method was developed and validated for the determination of apigenin in rat plasma.

METHODS

Analysts were separated on the HSS T3 column (1.8 μm 2.1×100 mm) using acetonitrile and 0.1% formic acid in 2mM ammonium acetate buffer at a supply rate of 0.200 mL/min as eluent in gradient model.

RESULTS

Plasma samples were treated by protein precipitation using acetonitrile for the recovery ranging from 86.5% to 90.1% for apigenin. The calibration curves followed linearity in the concentration range of 0.50-500ng/mL. The inter-day and intra-day precisions at different QC levels within 13.1% and the accuracies ranged from -10.6% to 8.6%.

CONCLUSION

The assay has been successfully applied to the pharmacokinetic study of apigenin in rats.

Ginaton injection alleviates cisplatin-induced renal interstitial fibrosis in rats via inhibition of apoptosis through regulation of the p38MAPK/TGF-β1 and p38MAPK/HIF-1α pathways

Ginaton injection (Ginkgo biloba extract; GBE) has been reported to protect against cisplatin-induced acute renal failure in rats. In the present study, the effects and molecular mechanisms of GBE on cisplatin-induced renal interstitial fibrosis were evaluated using a rat model. The rats were intraperitoneally injected with cisplatin once on the first day and a subset of rats were treated with GBE or SB203580 (SB; a specific p38 MAPK inhibitor) daily from days 22 to 40. The levels of N-acetyl-β-D-Glucosaminidase (NAG) in the urine, and of urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine (Scr) in the blood were assessed. The damage and fibrosis of renal tissues were evaluated using hematoxylin and eosin staining, as well as Masson's trichrome staining, respectively. Apoptosis in renal tissues was detected using a TUNEL assay. The protein expression levels of α-smooth muscle actin (SMA), collagen 1 (Col I), Bax, Bcl-2, caspase-3/cleaved caspase-3, hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α), TGF-β1 and p38MAPK, as well as the mRNA levels of p38MAPK in renal tissues were investigated. The results showed that GBE markedly reduced the levels of urinary NAG, Scr and BUN, and renal expression of α-SMA and Col I levels were also reduced. Furthermore, GBE significantly reduced renal tissue injury and the relative area of renal interstitial fibrosis induced by cisplatin. GBE effectively reduced the apoptotic rate of renal tissues, the protein expression levels of Bax, cleaved caspase-3, phospho-p38MAPK, TGF-β1 and HIF-1α, as well as the mRNA expression levels of p38MAPK in renal tissues induced by cisplatin, whereas GBE significantly increased Bcl-2 protein expression. SB exhibited similar effects to GBE, although it was not as effective. In summary, the present study is the first to show that GBE significantly alleviated renal interstitial fibrosis following cisplatin-induced acute renal injury. The mechanisms by which GBE exhibited its effects were associated with the inhibition of apoptosis via downregulation of the p38MAPK/TGF-β1 and p38MAPK/HIF-1α signaling pathways.

Analytical determinations of luteolin

Plants, through the photosynthesis process, produce the substances necessary for all the life cycles of nature, which are called "primary metabolites." Moreover, there are some plants that synthesize, in addition to these, other substances with more specific functions, which are known as "secondary metabolites." It is inside this group that flavonoids are located, whose main function is to protect organisms from damage caused by different oxidizing agents. Luteolin (3,4,5,7-tetrahydroxy-flavone) belongs to the sub-class of flavonoids known as flavones and is one of 10,000 flavonoids currently known, being one of the most bio-active flavonoids. Its various beneficial properties for health, together with the increasing reduction in the use of synthetic antioxidants, make the study of luteolin a very active field. Within this, the quantification of this molecule has become a subject of very special interest given that it is transversal to all fields. In this review article, we aim to give the reader a broad and deep vision of this topic, focusing on the events reported in the last 5 years and covering all possible techniques related to analytical determinations. We will discuss in terms of advantages and disadvantages between techniques, selectivity, sensitivity, costs, time consumption, and reagents as well as in the complexity of operations.

A stepwise integrated multi-system to screen quality markers of Chinese classic prescription Qingzao Jiufei decoction on the treatment of acute lung injury by combining 'network pharmacology-metabolomics-PK/PD modeling'

BACKGROUND

Previously, we have investigated the therapeutic mechanism of Qingzao Jiufei Decoction (QZJFD), a Chinese classic prescription, on acute lung injury (ALI), however, which remained to be further clarified together with the underlying efficacy related compounds for quality markers (Q-markers).

HYPOTHESIS/PURPOSE

To explore Q-markers of QZJFD on ALI by integrating a stepwise multi-system with 'network pharmacology-metabolomics- pharmacokinetic (PK)/ pharmacodynamic (PD) modeling'.

METHODS

First, based on in vitro and in vivo component analysis, a network pharmacology strategy was developed to identify active components and potential action mechanism of QZJFD on ALI. Next, studies of poly-pharmacology and non-targeted metabolomics were used to elaborate efficacy and verify network pharmacology results. Then, a comparative PK study on active components in network pharmacology was developed to profile their dynamic laws in vivo under ALI, suggesting Q-marker candidates. Next, quantified analytes with marked PK variations after modeling were fitted with characteristic endogenous metabolites along drug concentration-efficacy-time curve in a PK-PD modeling to verify and select primary effective compounds. Finally, Q-markers were further chosen based on representativeness among analytes through validity analysis of PK quantitation of primary effective compounds.

RESULTS

In virtue of 121 and 33 compounds identified in vitro and in vivo, respectively, 33 absorbed prototype compounds were selected to construct a ternary network of '20 components-47 targets-113 pathways' related to anti-ALI of QZJFD. Predicted mechanism (leukocytes infiltration, cytokines, endogenous metabolism) were successively verified by poly-pharmacology and metabolomics. Next, 18 measurable components were retained from 20 analytes by PK comparison under ALI. Then, 15 primary effective compounds from 18 PK markers were further selected by PK-PD analysis. Finally, 9 representative Q-markers from 15 primary effective compounds attributed to principal (chlorogenic acid), ministerial (methylophiopogonanone A, methylophiopogonanone B), adjuvant (sesamin, ursolic acid, amygdalin), conductant drugs (liquiritin apioside, liquiritigenin and isoliquiritin) in QZJFD, were recognized by substitutability and relevance of plasmatic concentration at various time points.

CONCLUSION

9 Q-markers for QZJFD on ALI were identified by a stepwise integration strategy, moreover, which was a powerful tool for screening Q-makers involved with the therapeutic action of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) prescription and promoting the process of TCM modernization and scientification.

Advances in the chemical constituents and chemical analysis of Ginkgo biloba leaf, extract, and phytopharmaceuticals

Ginkgo biloba leaf (GBL) is an important botanical drug that can be used for treating many diseases. This review summarizes the reported chemical constituents from GBL or Ginkgo biloba extract (GBE) to date, as well as the recent advances in the extraction, purification, qualitative and quantitative analysis methods (from 2015 to 2020). To date, about 110 flavonoids have been reported to have unambiguous structures, including flavonol and its glycosides, flavone and its glycosides, flavanone and its glycosides, isoflavone and its glycosides, flavan-3-ols, bioflavonoids, and biginkgosides. In recent years, in addition to new flavonoids, new terpenoids and lignan have been also isolated from GBL. Further, several extraction and purification methods have been described and compared. Quantitative analysis of the constituents have been mainly carried out by high-performance liquid chromatography with different detector methods. Many studies have focused on variations of compounds contents in GBL from different regions, tree ages, or collection times, which provide references for the selection of GBL. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry coupled with activity assay methods were used to on-line screen the bioactive compounds from GBL or its phytopharmaceuticals. The application of other analytical technologies such as MS imaging, supercritical fluid chromatography, capillary electrophoresis, quantitative nuclear magnetic resonance, and spectroscopy, has also been discussed. This review of the chemical constituents and analytical methods of Ginkgo will provide a reference for the research on the quality control and discovery of effective constituents for GBL and its related phytopharmaceuticals.

Influence Factors of the Pharmacokinetics of Herbal Resourced Compounds in Clinical Practice

Herbal medicines have been used to prevent and cure diseases in eastern countries for thousands of years. In recent decades, these phytotherapies are becoming more and more popular in the West. As being nature-derived is the essential attribute of herbal medicines, people believe that taking them for diseases treatment is safe enough and has no side-effects. However, the efficacy of herbal resourced compounds (HRC) depends on the multiple constituents absorbed in the body and their pharmacokinetics. Thus, many factors will influence the clinical practice of HRC, i.e., their absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME). Among these factors, herb-drug interaction has been widely discussed, as these compounds may share the same drug-metabolizing enzymes and drug transporters. Meanwhile there are many other potential factors that can also change the ADME of HRC, including herb pretreatment, herb-herb interactions, pathological status, gender, age of patient, and chemical and physical modification of certain ingredients. With the aim of ensuring the efficacy of HRC and minimizing their clinical risks, this review provides and discusses the influence factors and artificial improvement of the pharmacokinetics of HRC.

Preparation of two-dimensional magnetic molecularly imprinted polymers based on boron nitride and a deep eutectic solvent for the selective recognition of flavonoids

Two-dimensional (2D) boron nitride (BN) were developed as a 2D scaffold material in preparation of magnetic molecularly imprinted polymers (MMIPs).