Simultaneous determination of nine flavonoids in Polygonum hydropiper L. samples using nanomagnetic powder three-phase hollow fibre-based liquid-phase microextraction combined with ultrahigh performance liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry

HPLC-DAD-MS3 fingerprints of phenolics of selected Polygonum taxa and their chemometric analysis

Many Polygonaceae taxa such as Bistorta officinalis, Persicaria amphibia, Persicaria hydropiper, Persicaria lapathifolia, Persicaria maculosa, Persicaria mitis, Polygonum aviculare occur naturally in the entire territory of Poland and are also common in other European countries. Many of these species are also utilised as medicinal plants. In this manuscript we establish the phytochemical profiles of selected taxa from the Polygonaceae focusing on phenolics. Additionally, we try to find chemophenetic markers for the species investigated. Compounds were detected and characterised based on HPLC-DAD-MS data, quantified, and furtherly analysed using multivariate analyses. Chemophenetic markers were identified also considering previous literature.

Ethyl acetate fraction of flavonoids from Polygonum hydropiper L. modulates pseudorabies virus-induced inflammation in RAW264.7 cells via the nuclear factor-kappa B and mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways

Pseudorabies virus (PRV) infection leads to severe inflammatory responses and tissue damage, and many natural herbs exhibit protective effects against viral infection by modulating the inflammatory response. An ethyl acetate fraction of flavonoids from Polygonum hydropiper L. (FEA) was prepared through ethanol extraction and ethyl acetate fractional extraction. An inflammatory model was established in RAW264.7 cells with PRV infection to evaluate the anti-inflammatory activity of FEA by measuring cell viability, nitric oxide (NO) production, reactive oxygen species (ROS) release, and mRNA expression of inflammatory factors, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). Its functional mechanism was investigated by analyzing the phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of key proteins in the nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways. Our findings indicate that PRV induced inflammatory responses in RAW264.7 cells, and the responses were similar to that in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated cells. FEA significantly suppressed NO synthesis and down-regulated both expression and secretion of COX-2, iNOS, and inflammatory cytokines (P<0.05 or P<0.01). FEA also reduced NF-κB p65 translocation into the nucleus and decreased MAPK phosphorylation, indicating that the NF-κB/MAPK signaling pathway may be closely related to the inflammatory response during viral infection. The findings suggested the potential pharmaceutical application of FEA as a natural product that can treat viral infections due to its ability to mitigate inflammatory responses.

Enhancing enrichment ability of ZIF-8 mixed matrix membrane microextraction by reverse micelle strategy for analysis of multiple ionizable bioactive components in biological samples

Recent research aimed at the design of mixed-matrix membrane (MMM) to be used for microextraction emphasized on membrane extraction phase with high surface area and porosity. This study explored the influence that surfactants have on MMM extraction efficiency for the first time. The zeolitic imidazolate framework 8-based MMM (ZIF-8-MMM) was synthesized by in situ self-assembly of ZIF-8 on the inner wall of a hollow fiber membrane with the aim of fabricating a microextraction device. By prompting the encapsulation of ionizable analytes in the polar core of reverse micelles, the presence of surfactants in extraction solvent assisted the dissolution of analytes in the fiber membrane lumen and enhanced their adsorption onto ZIF-8. Notably, hereby a microextraction method based on the novel ZIF-8-MMM-reverse micelle (ZIF-8-MMM-RM) system was developed and employed for the extraction and quantitation of two alkaloids (berberine and jatrorrhizine) and two flavonoids (wogonin and wogonoside) in biological samples. The main factors affecting microextraction performance, identity of the extraction solvent, surfactant concentration, sample solution pH and extraction time, were investigated in detail. The method showed good linearity (r² > 0.99) and repeatability (RSD < 10%), low limits of detection (0.10-0.31 ng mL^-1) and high relative recoveries (90.03-98.84%). The enrichment factor values ranged between 48.47 and 54.96. Reverse micelle formation prompted by surfactant addition was demonstrated to effectively assist the extraction of multiple ionizable analytes from biological samples, resulting in a marked improvement of ZIF-8-MMM extraction performance.

Evaluation of Alpha-Amylase Inhibitory, Antioxidant, and Antimicrobial Potential and Phytochemical Contents of Polygonum hydropiper L

Polygonum hydropiper L. is a traditionally used medicinal plant. The present study was designed to explore the α-amylase inhibitory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial activities of Polygonum hydropiper L. Polarity-based solvent extracts (n-hexane, acetone, chloroform, methanol, ethanol, and water) of Polygonum hydropiper leaves and stem were used. Antioxidant activity was assessed by free radical scavenging assay (FRAP) and 2,2-diphenylpicrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging activity methods. Quantitative phytochemical analyses suggested that the stem of Polygonum hydropiper L. contains higher levels of bioactive compounds than its leaves (p < 0.05). The results suggested that stem-derived extracts of Polygonum hydropiper L. are more active against bacterial species, including two Gram-positive and three Gram-negative strains. Moreover, our results showed that the bioactive compounds of Polygonum hydropiper L. significantly inhibit α-amylase activity. Finally, we reported the polarity-based solvent extracts of Polygonum hydropiper L. and revealed that the stem, rather than leaves, has a high antioxidant potential as measured by FRAP and DPPH assay with IC₅₀ values of 1.38 and 1.59 mg/mL, respectively. It may also be deducted from the data that the Polygonum hydropiper L. could be a significant candidate, which should be subjected to further isolation and characterization, to be used as an antidiabetic, antimicrobial and antioxidant resource in many industries, like food, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics.

Persicaria hydropiper (L.) Delarbre: A review on traditional uses, bioactive chemical constituents and pharmacological and toxicological activities

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Various plant parts of Persicaria hydropiper (L.) Delarbre (Syn.: Polygonum hydropiper L., Family: Polygonaceae) are used in traditional medicine systems as astringent, sedative, antiseptic and also for the treatment of respiratory disorders, edema and snake bites. It is also used as a spice in many Asian countries.

AIM OF THE REVIEW

The main aim of this review is to critically analyze the reported traditional uses, bioactive chemical constituents and pharmacological activities of P. hydropiper.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Scientific database including PubMed, Scopus, SciFinder and secondary resources including books and proceedings were searched using relevant terminologies related to P. hydropiper and available scientific information was critically analyzed.

RESULTS

Analysis of the scientific literature regarding the traditional uses revealed that P. hydropiper is used as a medicine and as spice in food preparations in various parts of the world. Various compounds including flavonoids, phenylpropanoid derivatives, and sesquiterpenoids among others were reported as active compounds. The extracts and compounds from P. hydropiper showed diverse biological activities including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, cytotoxic, antimicrobial activities, etc. CONCLUSION: Although various research reports showed diverse biological activities for extracts and compounds obtained from P. hydropiper, very few studies were performed using animal models. Many of these studies also lacked proper experimental setting such as use of positive and negative controls and selection of dose as in most of these studies very high doses of extracts were administered. Further, as P. hydropiper is widely used in the treatment of snake bites and insect bites, such effects of extracts and/or compounds are not well explored. Future studies on P. hydropiper should be focused to establish the links between the traditional uses, active compounds and reported pharmacological activities.

The Phytochemistry of Cherokee Aromatic Medicinal Plants

Background: Native Americans have had a rich ethnobotanical heritage for treating diseases, ailments, and injuries. Cherokee traditional medicine has provided numerous aromatic and medicinal plants that not only were used by the Cherokee people, but were also adopted for use by European settlers in North America. Methods: The aim of this review was to examine the Cherokee ethnobotanical literature and the published phytochemical investigations on Cherokee medicinal plants and to correlate phytochemical constituents with traditional uses and biological activities. Results: Several Cherokee medicinal plants are still in use today as herbal medicines, including, for example, yarrow (Achillea millefolium), black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa), American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius), and blue skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora). This review presents a summary of the traditional uses, phytochemical constituents, and biological activities of Cherokee aromatic and medicinal plants. Conclusions: The list is not complete, however, as there is still much work needed in phytochemical investigation and pharmacological evaluation of many traditional herbal medicines.

Depressor effect of the young leaves of Polygonum hydropiper Linn. in high-salt induced hypertensive mice

A novel chymase inhibitor has been reported to have depressor effect in salt-induced hypertension. Therefore, we examined the hypothesis that chymase inhibitory dried young leaves of Polygonum hydropiper (PPH) or young leaves extract of Polygonum hydropiper (PHE) could reduce salt-induced hypertension. In this study, 8-wk old wild-type mice were allocated into three experiments and experiment I included groups, I- normal water drinking, II- high salt (2% NaCl) water (HSW) drinking, and III- HSW plus PPH (500 mg kg^-1, orally) for 12-wk. Blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) were measured at baseline and weekly up to wk-12. In experiment II, mice were given HSW for 12-wk followed by 8-wk treatment with PPH plus HSW (62.5, 125, 250 and 500 mg kg^-1 for groups I, II, III and IV, respectively). BP and HR were measured at baseline and monthly until wk-12, following weekly for 8-wk. Experiment III comprised of four groups of mice for 12-wk HSW and 8-wk treatment with PHE plus HSW (2.5, 5, 10 and 20 mg kg^-1 for groups I-IV, respectively). BP and HR were measured at baseline and monthly up to wk-12, following weekly for 8-wk. Significant reduction in BP and HR were observed in mice treated with PPH (500 mg kg^-1) compared to HSW control. PPH reduced BP and HR dose dependently in hypertensive mice and the higher dose showed maximum reduction. PHE at its maximum dose (20 mg kg^-1) significantly suppressed BP and HR. Over all, we found that the young leaves of Polygonum hydropiper suppressed salt-induced hypertension.

Recovery of Anthocyanins Using Membrane Technologies: A Review

Anthocyanins are naturally occurring polyphenolic compounds and give many flowers, fruits and vegetable their orange, red, purple and blue colors. Besides their color attributes, anthocyanins have received much attention in recent years due to the growing evidence of their antioxidant capacity and health benefits on humans. However, these compounds usually occur in low concentrations in mixtures of complex matrices, and therefore large-scale harvesting is needed to obtain sufficient amounts for their practical usage. Effective fractionation or separation technologies are therefore essential for the screening and production of these bioactive compounds. In this context, membrane technologies have become popular due to their operational simplicity, the capacity to achieve good simultaneous separation/pre-concentration and matrix reduction with lower temperature and lower operating cost in comparison to other sample preparation methods. Membrane fractionation is based on the molecular or particle sizes (pressure-driven processes), on their charge (electrically driven processes) or are dependent on both size and charge. Other non-pressure-driven membrane processes (osmotic pressure and vapor pressure-driven) have been developed in recent years and employed as alternatives for the separation or fractionation of bioactive compounds at ambient conditions without product deterioration. These technologies are applied either individually or in combination as an integrated membrane system to meet the different requirements for the separation of bioactive compounds. The first section of this review examines the basic principles of membrane processes, including the different types of membranes, their structure, morphology and geometry. The most frequently used techniques are also discussed. Last, the specific application of these technologies for the separation, purification and concentration of phenolic compounds, with special emphasis on anthocyanins, are also provided.

Electrochemical luminescence determination of hyperin using a sol-gel@graphene luminescent composite film modified electrode for solid phase microextraction

In this paper, a novel electrochemiluminescence (ECL) sensor of sol-gel@graphene luminescent composite film modified electrode for hyperin determination was prepared using graphene (G) as solid-phase microextraction (SPME) material, based on selective preconcentration of target onto an electrode and followed by luminol ECL detection. Hyperin was firstly extracted from aqueous solution through the modified GCE. Hydrogel, electrogenerated chemiluminescence reagents, pH of working solution, extraction time and temperature and scan rate were discussed. Under the optimum conditions, the change of ECL intensity was in proportion to the concentration of hyperin in the range of 0.02-0.24μg/mL with a detection limit of 0.01μg/mL. This method showed good performance in stability, reproducibility and precision for the determination of hyperin.

Flavonoids of Polygonum hydropiper L. attenuates lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammatory injury via suppressing phosphorylation in MAPKs pathways

Background

Polygonum hydropiper L. is widely used as a traditional remedy for the treatment of dysentery, gastroenteritis. It has been used to relieve swelling and pain, dispel wind and remove dampness, eliminate abundant phlegm and inflammatory for a long time. Previous study showed that antioxidants especially flavonoids pretreatment alleviated sepsis-induced injury in vitro and in vivo. In the present study, the possible anti-inflammatory effect of flavonoids from normal butanol fraction of Polygonum hydropiper L. extract (FNP) against inflammation induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was evaluated in vivo and in vitro.

Methods

The content of total flavonoid of FNP was determined by the aluminum colorimetric method. The content of rutin, quercetin and quercitrin was determined by HPLC method. Mice received FNP orally 3 days before an intra-peritoneal (i.p.) injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Total superoxidase dismutase (T-SOD), total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX), glutathione (GSH), myeloperoxidase (MPO) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were measured. Tumor necrosis factor-α levels in serum and tissue was measured. mRNA expressions of pro-inflammatory cytokines in lung were assessed by Real-Time PCR. Histopathological changes were evaluated in lung, ileum and colon. We also investigated FNP on reactive oxygen species (ROS), nitric oxide (NO) and pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-8) production, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) protein expression, phosphorylation of MAPKs and AMPK in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells.

Results

FNP increased the levels of T-SOD, T-AOC, GSH-PX and GSH, decreased the levels of TNF-α, MPO and MDA, attenuate the histopathological lesion in LPS-stimulated mice. FNP inhibited production of inflammatory cytokines, ROS and NO, protein expressions of iNOS and COX-2, phosphorylation of ERK, JNK and c-JUN in MAPKs, promoted phosphorylation of AMPKα suppressed by LPS.

Conclusion

These results suggested in vivo anti-inflammatory activities of FNP might contributed to its enhancement in antioxidant capacity, its inhibitory effects may be mediated by inhibiting the phosphorylation of JNK, ERK and c-JUN in MAPKs signaling pathways.

RECENT ADVANCES IN ULTRA-HIGH PERFORMANCE LIQUID CHROMATOGRAPHY FOR THE ANALYSIS OF TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE

Traditional Chinese medicine has been widely used for the prevention and treatment of various diseases for thousands of years in China. Ultra-high performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) is a relatively new technique offering new possibilities. This paper reviews recent developments in UHPLC in the separation and identification, fingerprinting, quantification, and metabolism of traditional Chinese medicine. Recently, the combination of UHPLC with MS has improved the efficiency of the analysis of these materials.

Ethnobotanical, Phytochemical, Pharmacological, and Toxicological Aspects of Persicaria hydropiper (L.) Delarbre

Persicaria hydropiper (L.) Delarbre, belonging to Polygonaceae family, is a common weed found in most of the temperate countries including Bangladesh, China, Malaysia, and Japan. The plant is also referred to as “marsh pepper” or “smart weed.” It appears to be a useful herb with evidence-based medicinal properties. The present work addresses the botanical description, traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology, and toxicology of P. hydropiper. All plant parts have been commonly used in the traditional systems of medicines. Flavonoids are the major group of phytochemical components followed by drimane-type sesquiterpenes and sesquiterpenoids, as well as phenylpropanoids. Different extracts and plant parts showed remarkable pharmacological activities including antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal, antihelminth, antifeedant, cytotoxicity, anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive, oestrogenicity, antifertility, antiadipogenicity, and neuroprotection. Mutagenicity and acute and subchronic toxicities of the plant were also reported. P. hydropiper has tremendous medicinal properties that could further be investigated for the development of evidence-based herbal products.

Microextraction techniques for the determination of volatile and semivolatile organic compounds from plants: a review

Vegetables and fruits are necessary for human health, and traditional Chinese medicine that uses plant materials can cure diseases. Thus, understanding the composition of plant matrix has gained increased attention in recent years. Since plant matrix is very complex, the extraction, separation and quantitation of these chemicals are challenging. In this review we focus on the microextraction techniques used in the determination of volatile and semivolatile organic compounds (such as esters, alcohols, aldehydes, hydrocarbons, ketones, terpenes, sesquiterpene, phenols, acids, plant secondary metabolites and pesticides) from plants (e.g., fruits, vegetables, medicinal plants, tree leaves, etc.). These microextraction techniques include: solid phase microextraction (SPME), stir-bar sorptive extraction (SBSE), single drop microextraction (SDME), hollow fiber liquid phase microextraction (HF-LPME), dispersive liquid liquid microextraction (DLLME), and gas purge microsyringe extraction (GP-MSE). We have taken into consideration papers published from 2008 to the end of January 2013, and provided critical and interpretative review on these techniques, and formulated future trends in microextraction for the determination of volatile and semivolatile compounds from plants.

Water-based gas purge microsyringe extraction coupled with liquid chromatography for determination of alkylphenols from sea food Laminaria japonica Aresh

A novel organic solvent-free mode of gas purge microsyringe extraction, termed water-based gas purge microsyringe extraction, was developed. This technique can directly extract target compounds in wet samples without any drying process. Parameters affecting the extraction efficiency were investigated. Under optimal extraction conditions, the recoveries of alkylphenols were between 87.6 and 105.8%, and reproducibility was between 5.2 and 12.1%. The technique was also used to determine six kinds of alkylphenols (APs) from samples of Laminaria japonica Aresh. The OP and NP were detected in all the samples, and concentrations ranged from 26.0 to 54.5ngg(-1) and 45.0-180.4ngg(-1), respectively. The 4-n-butylphenol was detected in only one sample and its concentration was very low. Other APs were not detected in L. japonica Aresh samples. The experimental results demonstrated that the technique is fast, simple, non-polluting, allows for quantitative extraction, and a drying process was not required for wet samples. Since only aqueous solution and a conventional microsyringe were used, this technique proved affordable, efficient, and convenient for the extraction of volatile and semivolatile ionizable compounds.

In vitro and in vivo anti-inflammatory activities of Polygonum hydropiper methanol extract

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Polygonum hydropiper L. (Polygonaceae) has been traditionally used to treat various inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. However, no systematic studies on the anti-inflammatory actions of Polygonum hydropiper and its inhibitory mechanisms have been reported. This study is therefore aimed at exploring the anti-inflammatory effects of 99% methanol extracts (Ph-ME) of this plant.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The effects of Ph-ME on the production of inflammatory mediators in RAW264.7 cells and peritoneal macrophages were investigated. Molecular mechanisms underlying the effects, especially inhibitory effects, were elucidated by analyzing the activation of transcription factors and their upstream signalling, and by evaluating the kinase activities of target enzymes. Additionally, a dextran sulphate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis model was employed to see whether this extract can be used as an orally available drug.

RESULTS

Ph-ME dose-dependently suppressed the release of nitric oxide (NO), tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and prostaglandin (PG)E(2), in RAW264.7 cells and peritoneal macrophages stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Ph-ME inhibited mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory genes such as inducible NO synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase (COX)-2, and TNF-α by suppressing the activation of nuclear factor (NF)-κB, activator protein (AP-1), and cAMP responsive element binding protein (CREB), and simultaneously inhibited its upstream inflammatory signalling cascades, including cascades involving Syk, Src, and IRAK1. Consistent with these findings, the extract strongly suppressed the kinase activities of Src and Syk. Based on HPLC analysis, quercetin, which inhibits NO and PGE(2) activities, was found as one of the active ingredients in Ph-ME.

CONCLUSION

Ph-ME exerts strong anti-inflammatory activity by suppressing Src/Syk/NF-κB and IRAK/AP-1/CREB pathways, which contribute to its major ethno-pharmacological role as an anti-gastritis remedy.

Persicaria hydropiper (L.) spach and its flavonoid components, isoquercitrin and isorhamnetin, activate the Wnt/β-catenin pathway and inhibit adipocyte differentiation of 3T3-L1 cells

Obesity, which is related to metabolic syndrome and is associated with liver disease, represents an epidemic problem demanding effective therapeutic strategies. Evidence shows that the Wnt/β-catenin pathway is closely associated with obesity and that small molecules regulating the Wnt/β-catenin pathway can potentially control adipogenesis related to obesity. Eleven plant extracts activating the Wnt/β-catenin pathway were screened by using HEK 293-TOP cells retaining the Wnt/β-catenin signaling reporter gene. An extract of Persicaria hydropiper (L.) Spach was found to activate Wnt/β-catenin signaling. P. hydropiper is grown worldwide in temperate climates and is found widely in Southeast Asia. The P. hydropiper extract inhibited the differentiation of adipocyte 3T3-L1 cells. Isoquercitrin and isorhamnetin, constituents of P. hydropiper, also activated Wnt/β-catenin signaling and suppressed the differentiation of 3T3-L1 cells. These results indicate that isoquercitrin in P. hydropiper suppresses the adipogenesis of 3T3-L1 cells via the inhibition of Wnt/β-catenin signaling. P. hydropiper and isoquercitrin may therefore be potential therapeutic agents for obesity and its associated disorders.