Metabolic profiles of Xiao Chai Hu Tang in mouse plasma, bile and urine by the UHPLC–ESI-Q-TOF/MS technique

Comprehensive Quality Evaluation of Danggui-Jianzhong Decoction by Fingerprint Analysis, Multi-Component Quantitation and UPLC-Q-TOF-MS

Danggui-Jianzhong decoction (DGJZ) is a famous classical traditional Chinese medicine formula, which ingredients are complex and the quality is difficult to control. Our study aimed to identify the overall chemical profile of DGJZ qualitatively by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF-MS) and UPLC. A total of 77 components, including terpenoids, flavonoids, phenolic acids, gingerols and other components, were firstly detected and characterized by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS and 18 peaks marked after analyzing the UPLC fingerprint. Finally, paeoniflorin, liquiritin, ferulic acid, cinnamic acid, glycyrrhizic acid and 6-gingerol were quantified, which was validated in terms of linearity, precision, accuracy, repeatability and recovery. Taken together, the chemical constitutes of DGJZ were systematically identified and a reliable quantitative method coupled with fingerprint analysis was successfully employed for evaluating the holistic quality, which will provide a robust foundation for the quality control of DGJZ.

An UHPLC-QTOF-MS-based strategy for systematic profiling of chemical constituents and associated in vivo metabolites of a famous traditional Chinese medicine formula, Yinchenhao decoction

Yinchenhao decoction (YCHD), a famous traditional Chinese medicine formula, has been applied for relieving jaundice in China for more than 1800 years. However, the material basis for YCHD is still unclear, and the chemical composition and metabolism characteristic in vivo are undefined, making the potential effective constituents and mechanism of action unclear. Herein, an ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC-QTOF-MS)-based strategy was applied for the chemical profiling of YCHD, as well as their in vivo prototypes and global metabolites that defined the metabolome. Our results showed that a total of 139 chemicals were identified in YCHD, including 28 organic acids, 12 monoterpenoids, five diterpenes, three triterpenoids, 17 iridoids, 23 anthraquinones, 26 flavonoids, four coumarins and 21 other types. Moreover, 58 prototypes and 175 metabolites were found in rat biological samples after oral administration of YCHD; those distributed in plasma, liver, intestine and feces were suggested to be potentially effective substances. Oxidation, hydrogenation, decarboxylation and conjugations with methyl, sulfate and glucuronate were considered as the predominant metabolic pathways in vivo. In conclusion, this is a systemic study of chemical constituents and in vivo metabolome profiles of YCHD, contributing to the material basis understanding and further mechanism research.

Xiao Chai Hu Tang alleviates the pancreatic tumorigenesis via improving the mtDNA N6-Methyladenine modification mediated mitochondrial dysfunction in Syrian hamster model

BACKGROUND

Pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PanIN) is the most common precursor lesion of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), which is a highly malignant tumor and lack of effective treatment. Although Xiao Chai Hu Tang (XCHT) has a good therapeutic effect on pancreatic cancer patients with advanced stage, the effect and mechanism of XCHT remains unclear in pancreatic tumorigenesis.

PURPOSE

To assess the therapeutic effects of XCHT on the malignant transformation from PanIN to PDAC and to reveal its mechanisms of pancreatic tumorigenesis.

METHODS

Syrian golden hamster were induced by N-Nitrosobis (2-oxopropyl) amine (BOP) to establish the pancreatic tumorigenesis model. The morphological changes of pancreatic tissue were observed by H&E and Masson staining; the Gene ontology (GO) analysis the transcriptional profiling changes; the mitochondrial ATP generation, mitochondrial redox status, mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) N6-methyladenine (6mA) level and relative mtDNA genes expressions were examined. In addition, immunofluorescence detect the cell localization of 6mA in human pancreatic cancer PANC1 cell. Using the TCGA database, the prognostic effect of mtDNA 6mA demethylation ALKBH1 expression on pancreatic cancer patients was analyzed.

RESULTS

We confirmed the mtDNA 6mA levels were gradually increased with the mitochondrial dysfunction in PanINs progression. XCHT showed the effect to inhibit the occurrence and development of pancreatic cancer in Syrian hamster pancreatic tumorigenesis model. In addition, the lack of ALKBH1 mediated mtDNA 6mA increase, mtDNA coded genes down-expression and abnormal redox status were rescued by XCHT.

CONCLUSIONS

ALKBH1/mtDNA 6mA mediated mitochondrial dysfunction to induce the occurrence and progression of pancreatic cancer. XCHT can improve ALKBH1 expression and mtDNA 6mA level, regulate the oxidative stress and expression of mtDNA coded genes. This study investigated a new molecular mechanism of pancreatic tumorigenesis, and revealed the therapeutic efficacy of XCHT in pancreatic tumorigenesis for the first time.

XCHT alleviates the pancreatic fibrosis via VDR/NLRP3 signaling pathway in a mouse model of CP

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Xiao Chai Hu Tang (XCHT) derived from the classic medical book Shang Han Lun (Treatise on Febrile Diseases) in the Eastern Han Dynasty, which has been widely used in China and other Asian countries for the treatment of inflammation and fibrosis of chronic pancreatitis (CP), but the therapeutic mechanism of XCHT in pancreatic fibrosis remains unclear.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study aimed to evaluate the intervention effects and explore pharmacological mechanism of XCHT on inflammation and fibrosis in cerulein-induced CP model.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Fifty male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into five main groups, 10 animals in each: Control, CP model (50 μg/kg cerulein), high dose XCHT-treated CP group (60 g/kg XCHT), medium dose XCHT-treated CP group (30 g/kg XCHT) and low dose XCHT-treated CP group (15 g/kg XCHT). Different doses of XCHT were given to mice by gavage twice a day for 2 weeks after the CP model induction. Pancreatic tissues were harvested and the pancreatic inflammation and fibrosis were evaluated by histological score, Sirius red staining, and alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) immunohistochemical staining. ELISA, IHC and RT-qPCR were performed to detect the expression of Vitamin D₃ (VD₃) and Vitamin D receptor (VDR) in serum and pancreatic tissues, respectively. The expressions of NLRP3 inflammasome related genes and molecules were assayed by WB, IHC and RT-qPCR.

RESULTS

The pathohistological results demonstrated that XCHT markedly inhibited the fibrosis and chronic inflammation of cerulein-induced CP, indicated by reduction of collagen I, collagen III, α-SMA, and NLRP3 expressions. XCHT significantly increased VD₃ and VDR expression while reduced the pancreatic NLRP3 expression. Correspondingly, XCHT decreased the levels of NLRP3 downstream targets IL-1β, TNF-α and IL-6.

CONCLUSIONS

These results revealed that XCHT suppressed the pancreatic fibrosis and chronic inflammation in cerulein-induced CP model by enhancing the VD₃/VDR expression and inhibiting the secretion of NLRP3-assoicated inflammatory factors.

Simultaneous determination of multiple components in rat plasma by UHPLC-sMRM for pharmacokinetic studies after oral administration of Qingjin Yiqi Granules

As a Traditional Chinese Medicine prescription, Qingjin Yiqi Granules (QJYQ) provides an effective treatment for patients recovering from COVID-19. However, the pharmacokinetics characteristics of the main components of QJYQ in vivo are still unknown. An efficacious ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) was developed and validated for the simultaneous determination of 33 components in rat plasma after oral administration of QJYQ. The plasma samples were precipitated with 400 µL methanol/acetonitrile (1/1, v/v) and analyzed in scheduled multiple reaction monitoring mode. The linear relationship of the 33 components was good (r > 0.9928). The lower limit of quantification for 33 components ranged from 0.4-60.5 ng/mL. The average recoveries and matrix effects of the analytes ranged from 72.9% to 115.0% with RSD of 1.4%-15.0%. All inter-day and intra-day RSDs were within 15.0%. After oral administration (3.15 g/kg), the validated approach was effectively applied to the pharmacokinetics of main components of QJYQ. Finally, fifteen main constituents of QJYQ with large plasma exposure were obtained, including baicalin, wogonoside, wogonin, apigenin-7-O-glucuronide, verbenalin, isoferulic acid, hesperidin, liquiritin, harpagide, protocatechuic acid, p-Coumaric acid, ferulic acid, sinapic acid, liquiritin apioside and glycyrrhizic acid. The present research lays a foundation for clarifying the therapeutic material basis of QJYQ and provides a reference for further scientific research and clinical application of QJYQ.

In vivo and in vitro metabolism study of traditional Chinese medicine formula Dingkun Dan in rats by using ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry

Dingkun Dan (DKD), a reputable traditional Chinese medicine formula, has been used to treat gynecological diseases and showed significant clinical effects since ancient times. However, the application and development of DKD are seriously hampered by the unclear active substances. Structural characterization of compounds absorbed in vivo and their corresponding metabolites is significant for clarifying the pharmacodynamic material basis. In this study, an integrated strategy using ultra-performance liquid chromatography, coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry and UNIFI™ software, was used to identify prototypes and metabolites after oral administration of DKD in rats. As a result, a total of 261 compounds, including 140 prototypes and 121 metabolites, were tentatively characterized in rat plasma, urine, and feces. The metabolic pathways of prototypes have been studied to clarify their possible transformation process in vivo. Moreover, an in vitro metabolism study was applied for verifying the metabolites under simulating the metabolic environment in vivo. This first systematic metabolic study of DKD is important for elucidating the metabolites and metabolic pathways and could provide a scientific basis for explaining the integrative mechanism in further pharmacology study.

Pivotal Role of the Interaction Between Herbal Medicines and Gut Microbiota on Disease Treatment

With the recognition of the important role of gut microbiota in both health and disease progression, attempts to modulate its composition, as well as its co-metabolism with the organism, have attracted special attention. Abundant studies have demonstrated that dysfunction or imbalance of gut microbiota is closely related to disease progression, including endocrine diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, tumors, cardiovascular diseases, etc. Herbal medicines have been applied to prevent and treat diseases worldwide for hundreds of years. Although the underlying mechanism seems to be complex, one of the important ones is through modulating gut microbiota. In this review, co-metabolism between herbal medicines and microbiota, as well as the potential pathways are summarized from most recent published papers.

Metabolic profiles of Jin-hong tablets in rats by ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry

Jin-hong tablets (JHTs), a well-known traditional Chinese patent medicine (TCPM), have been effectively used for the treatment of chronic superficial gastritis (CSG). The metabolic profile of TCPMs is performed to determine their bioactive components. In this study, a five-step strategy based on ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry and metabolynx™ software combined with mass defect filter technique was developed to delineate the metabolic profile of JHT in vivo. As a result, a total of 163 JHT-related xenobiotics (38 prototypes and 125 metabolites) were identified or tentatively characterized in rat biological samples, and the phase I and II metabolism processes mainly included demethylation, hydroxylation, sulfation, and glucuronidation. In addition, after oral administration of JHT, a large amount of alkaloid-related ingredients was detected in rat plasma samples, indicating that alkaloids may play an important role in the treatment of CSG with JHT. This study is beneficial for understanding the JHT's in vivo metabolic profiles and characteristics, which helps to reveal its in vivo effective components and provides a solid basis for further studies on its functional mechanism.

Quantitative Determination of 7 Saikosaponins in Xiaochaihu Granules Using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography with Charged Aerosol Detection

Bupleuri Radix (Chaihu, in Chinese) is the principal drug in Xiaochaihu granules (XGs) that is a famous Chinese medicine preparation in China. Since previous analytical methods have not focused on the multiactive saikosaponins of Chaihu, it is difficult to effectively control the quality of XG on the market. In this manuscript, the simultaneous determination of 7 saikosaponins (saikosaponins C, I, H, A, B₂, G, and B₁) in XG by HPLC with charged aerosol detection (CAD) and confirmation by LC-Q-Orbitrap HRMS were described. The saikosaponins were purified on an SPE cartridge and determined on a Waters CORTECTS C18 column (4.6 mm × 150 mm, 2.7 μm) by gradient elution using 0.01% acetic acid aqueous solution and acetonitrile. The results showed good linearity with the r ² values higher than 0.998 for all analytes. The average recoveries at three different concentration levels ranged from 80% to 109% and the intraday and interday precision (relative standard deviations, RSD%) were in the range of 1.0%∼1.9% and 1.4%∼2.1%, respectively. The established HPLC-CAD method was subsequently applied to 15 batches of XG to investigate the batch-to-batch consistency and controllability. The proposed method could potentially be used for the quality control of XG and also be helpful in the quality evaluation of Chaihu and its related preparations.

Systematic metabolite profiling of N-acetyldopamine oligomers from Cicadae Periostracum in rats by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry

Cicadae Periostracum (CP), the cast-off shell of Cryptotympana atrata, is specified in Chinese Pharmacopoeia for relieving fever and eliminating ulcer. N-acetyldopamine oligomers are the major characteristic bioactive components with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities that may be responsible for the efficacy of CP. However, the exposed components and metabolites of N-acetyldopamine oligomers of CP (NOCP) in vivo are still unknown. In present study, the metabolic profile of total NOCP and N-acetyldopamine dimer B in rats were systematically investigated by ultra-high liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-QTOF-MS/MS). In biosamples of NOCP group, 34 prototypes and 15 metabolites were identified or tentatively characterized, including 5 metabolites in plasma, 3 prototype and 9 metabolites in urine, 2 metabolites in bile, 34 prototypes and 8 metabolites in feces, respectively. In dimer B group, the prototype and 8 metabolites were identified, including 2 metabolites in plasma, 4 metabolites in urine, 1 metabolite in bile and 5 metabolites in feces, respectively. Oxidation, and hydrogenation were supposed to be the major phase I reactions, while methylation, sulfation, and glucuronidation were the main phase II reactions of NOCP and dimer B. M10 and M13 might undergo enterohepatic circulation in rats. It is concluded that NOCP and dimer B were mainly absorbed in the form of metabolites, and metabolites are probably the major bioactive forms of NOCP and dimer B. The outcomes of this study provided helpful information for extensively elucidating biological and pharmacological mechanisms of NOCP.