In vitro and in vivo pharmacokinetics and metabolism of MK-8353 by liquid chromatography combined with diode array detector and Q-Exactive-Orbitrap tandem mass spectrometry

Mechanism of Paeoniae Radix Alba in the Treatment of Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Based on Sequential Metabolites Identification Approach, Network Pharmacology, and Binding Affinity Measurement

Screening functional food ingredients (FFI) from medicinal and edible plants (MEP) has still remained a great challenge due to the complexity of MEP and its obscure function mechanisms. Herein, an integrated strategy based on sequential metabolites identification approach, network pharmacology, molecular docking, and surface plasmon resonance (SPR) analysis was proposed for quickly identifying the active constituents in MEP. First, the sequential biotransformation process of MEP, including intestinal absorption and metabolism, and hepatic metabolism, was investigated by oral gavage, and intestinal perfusion with venous sampling method. Then the blood samples were analyzed by UPLC-Q Exactive Orbitrap HRMS. Second, the network pharmacology approach was used to explore the potential targets and possible mechanisms of the in vivo metabolites of MEP. Third, molecular docking and SPR approaches were used to verify the specific interactions between protein targets and representative ingredients. The proposed integrated strategy was successfully used to explore the heptoprotective components and the underlying molecular mechanism of Paeoniae Radix Alba (PRA). A total of 44 compounds were identified in blood samples, including 17 porotypes and 27 metabolites. The associated metabolic pathways were oxidation, methylation, sulfation, and glucuronidation. After further screening, 31 bioactive candidates and 377 related targets were obtained. In addition, the bioactive components contained in PRA may have therapeutic potentials for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The above results demonstrated the proposed strategy may provide a feasible tool for screening FFI and elaborating the complex function mechanisms of MEP.

Discovery of novel (6S/12aS)-heptachpyridone capable of inhibiting thrombosis in vivo

The in vitro conversion of (1S,3S)-1-dimethoxylethyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-β-carboline-3-carboxylic acid, (1S,3S)-DCCA, in rat plasma is monitored by HPLC-FT-ICR-MS. We show that the in vitro conversion of (1S,3S)-DCCA in rat plasma for 1 h leads to forming (6S/12aS)-bisdimethoxyethylheptachpyridone, reflecting intermolecular condensation of (1S,3S)-DCCA, and the in vitro conversion of (6S/12aS)-bisdimethoxyethylheptachpyridone in rat plasma for 1 h leads to forming (6S/12aS)-heptachpyridone, reflecting hydrolysis of (6S/12aS)-bisdimethoxyethylheptachpyridone. At a dose of 1.0 μmol/kg (6S/12aS)-heptachpyridone orally inhibits venous thrombosis and arterial thrombosis in vivo. Bleeding time, clotting time and international normalized ratio show that at this dose (6S/12aS)-heptachpyridone has no bleeding risk, does not lengthen clotting time and does not change the exogenous coagulation pathway. We also show that the reactions promoted by rat plasma are easy to practice by chemical synthesis. Thus our findings build a bridge across the in vivo conversion and the application.