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Shen R, Cheng K, Li G, Pan Z, Qiaolongbatu X, Wang Y, Ma C, Huang X, Wang L, Li W, Wang Y, Jing L, Fan G, Wu Z. Alisol A, the Eye-Entering Ingredient of Alisma orientale, Relieves Macular Edema Through TNF-α as Revealed by UPLC-Triple-TOF/MS, Network Pharmacology, and Zebrafish Verification. Drug Des Devel Ther 2024; 18:3361-3382. [PMID: 39100223 PMCID: PMC11297588 DOI: 10.2147/dddt.s468119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2024] [Accepted: 07/08/2024] [Indexed: 08/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Purpose Alisma orientale (AO, Alisma orientale (Sam). Juzep) has been widely employed for the treatment of macular edema (ME) in traditional Chinese medicine due to its renowned water-relief properties. Nonetheless, the comprehensive investigation of AO in alleviating ME remained unexplored. This study aims to identify the active components of AO that target the eye and investigate its pharmacological effects and mechanisms on ME. Methods The study commenced with UPLC-Triple-TOF/MS analysis to identify the primary constituents of AO. Zebrafish eye tissues were then analyzed after a five-day administration of AO to detect absorbed components and metabolites. Subsequently, network pharmacology, molecular docking, and molecular dynamics simulations were employed to predict the mechanisms of ME treatment via biological target pathways. In vivo experiments were conducted to corroborate the pharmacological actions and mechanisms. Results A total of 7 compounds, consisting of 2 prototype ingredients and 5 metabolites (including isomers), were found to traverse the blood-eye barrier and localized within eye tissues. Network pharmacology results showed that AO played a role in the treatment of ME mainly by regulating the pathway network of PI3K-AKT and MAPK with TNF-α centered. Computational analyses suggested that 11-dehydro-16-oxo-24-deoxy-alisol A, a metabolite of alisol A, mitigates edema through TNF-α inhibition. Furthermore, zebrafish fundus confocal experiments and HE staining of eyes confirmed the attenuating effects of alisol A on fundus angiogenesis and ocular edema, representing the first report of AO's ME-inhibitory effects. Conclusion In this study, computational analyses with experimental validation were used to understand the biological activity and mechanism of alisol A in the treatment of ME. The findings shed light on the bioactive constituents and pharmacological actions of AO, offering valuable insights and a theoretical foundation for its clinical application in managing ME.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Shen
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, People’s Republic of China
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200080, People’s Republic of China
| | - Kebin Cheng
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200433, People’s Republic of China
| | - Guanyi Li
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zhendong Pan
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Eye and ENT Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200031, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xijier Qiaolongbatu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yuting Wang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, People’s Republic of China
| | - Cui Ma
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xucong Huang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, People’s Republic of China
| | - Li Wang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, People’s Republic of China
| | - Wenjing Li
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yuanyuan Wang
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200080, People’s Republic of China
| | - Lili Jing
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, People’s Republic of China
| | - Guorong Fan
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200080, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zhenghua Wu
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200080, People’s Republic of China
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Yang C, Xue M, He Y, Yin H, Yang C, Zhong D, Zeng H, Zheng Y, Diao X. Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, and Excretion of [ 14C]BS1801, a Selenium-Containing Drug Candidate, in Rats. Molecules 2023; 28:8102. [PMID: 38138590 PMCID: PMC10745422 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28248102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2023] [Revised: 12/09/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
BS1801 is a selenium-containing drug candidate with potential for treating liver and lung fibrosis. To fully elucidate the biotransformation of BS1801 in animals and provide sufficient preclinical drug metabolism data for human mass balance study, the metabolism of BS1801 in rats was investigated. We used radiolabeling techniques to investigate the mass balance, tissue distribution, and metabolite identification of BS1801 in Sprague-Dawley/Long-Evans rats after a single oral dose of 100 mg/kg (100 μCi/kg) [14C]BS1801: 1. The mean recovery of radioactive substances in urine and feces was 93.39% within 168 h postdose, and feces were the main excretion route. 2. Additionally, less than 1.00% of the dose was recovered from either urine or bile. 3. BS1801-related components were widely distributed throughout the body. 4. Fifteen metabolites were identified in rat plasma, urine, feces, and bile, and BS1801 was detected only in feces. 5. BS1801-M484, the methylation product obtained via a N-Se bond reduction in BS1801, was the most abundant drug-related component in plasma. The main metabolic pathways of BS1801 were reduction, amide hydrolysis, oxidation, and methylation. Overall, BS1801 was distributed throughout the body, and excreted mainly as an intact BS1801 form through feces. No differences were observed between male and female rats in distribution, metabolism, and excretion of BS1801.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng Yang
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China;
- Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201210, China; (Y.H.); (C.Y.); (D.Z.)
| | - Mingzhen Xue
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Functional Substances of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China;
| | - Yifei He
- Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201210, China; (Y.H.); (C.Y.); (D.Z.)
| | - Hanwei Yin
- Shanghai Yuanxi Pharmaceutical Technology Co., Ltd., Shanghai 201203, China;
| | - Chen Yang
- Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201210, China; (Y.H.); (C.Y.); (D.Z.)
| | - Dafang Zhong
- Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201210, China; (Y.H.); (C.Y.); (D.Z.)
| | - Huihui Zeng
- Shanghai Yuanxi Pharmaceutical Technology Co., Ltd., Shanghai 201203, China;
| | - Yuandong Zheng
- Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201210, China; (Y.H.); (C.Y.); (D.Z.)
| | - Xingxing Diao
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China;
- Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201210, China; (Y.H.); (C.Y.); (D.Z.)
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Shu ZH, Fan CL, Wei HY, Li ZT, Norimoto H, Tang XY, Yao ZH, Yao XS, Dai Y. An integrated strategy by absorbed component characterization, pharmacokinetics, and activity evaluation for identification of potential nephroprotective substances in Zhu-Ling decoction. J Sep Sci 2023; 46:e2300331. [PMID: 37438987 DOI: 10.1002/jssc.202300331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2023] [Revised: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 07/14/2023]
Abstract
An efficient strategy for the identification of potential nephroprotective substances in Zhu-Ling decoction has been established with the integration of absorbed components characterization, pharmacokinetics, and activity evaluation. A qualitative method was developed to characterize the chemical constituents absorbed components in vivo of Zhu-Ling decoction by using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry. A quantitative method was established and validated for the simultaneous determination of eight compounds in rat plasma by using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-triple quadruple tandem mass spectrometry. Finally, the nephroprotective activities of absorbed components with high exposure were assessed by cell survival rate, superoxide dismutase, and malondialdehyde activities in hydrogen peroxide-induced Vero cells. As a result, 111 compounds in Zhu-Ling decoction and 36 absorbed components were identified in rat plasma and urine, and poricoic acid A, poricoic acid B, alisol A, 16-oxo-alisol A, and dehydro-tumulosic acid had high exposure levels in rat plasma. Finally, poricoic acid B, poricoic acid A, 16-oxo-alisol A, and dehydro-tumulosic acid showed remarkable nephroprotective activity against Vero cells damage induced by hydrogen peroxide. Besides, superoxide dismutase and malondialdehyde activities were obviously regulated in hydrogen peroxide-induced Vero cells by treatment with the four compounds mentioned above. Therefore, these four compounds were considered to be effective substances of Zhu-Ling decoction due to their relatively high exposure in vivo and biological activity. This study provided a chemical basis for the action mechanism of Zhu-Ling decoction in the treatment of chronic kidney diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi-Heng Shu
- Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine & Natural Products, College of Pharmacy, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmacodynamic Constituents of TCM and New Drugs Research, and International Cooperative Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization and Innovative Drug Development of Ministry of Education (MOE) of China, Jinan University, Guangzhou, P. R. China
| | - Cai-Lian Fan
- College of Medicine, Henan Engineering Research Center of Funiu Mountain's Medicinal Resources Utilization and Molecular Medicine, Pingdingshan University, Pingdingshan, Henan, P. R. China
| | - Hong-Yan Wei
- PuraPharm Research Institute of PuraPharm(Nanning) Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Nanning, P. R. China
| | - Zi-Ting Li
- Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine & Natural Products, College of Pharmacy, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmacodynamic Constituents of TCM and New Drugs Research, and International Cooperative Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization and Innovative Drug Development of Ministry of Education (MOE) of China, Jinan University, Guangzhou, P. R. China
| | - Hisayoshi Norimoto
- PuraPharm Research Institute of PuraPharm(Nanning) Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Nanning, P. R. China
- R&D Centre of PuraPharm Corporation Ltd., Hong Kong SAR, P. R. China
| | - Xi-Yang Tang
- Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine & Natural Products, College of Pharmacy, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmacodynamic Constituents of TCM and New Drugs Research, and International Cooperative Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization and Innovative Drug Development of Ministry of Education (MOE) of China, Jinan University, Guangzhou, P. R. China
| | - Zhi-Hong Yao
- Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine & Natural Products, College of Pharmacy, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmacodynamic Constituents of TCM and New Drugs Research, and International Cooperative Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization and Innovative Drug Development of Ministry of Education (MOE) of China, Jinan University, Guangzhou, P. R. China
| | - Xin-Sheng Yao
- Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine & Natural Products, College of Pharmacy, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmacodynamic Constituents of TCM and New Drugs Research, and International Cooperative Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization and Innovative Drug Development of Ministry of Education (MOE) of China, Jinan University, Guangzhou, P. R. China
| | - Yi Dai
- Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine & Natural Products, College of Pharmacy, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmacodynamic Constituents of TCM and New Drugs Research, and International Cooperative Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization and Innovative Drug Development of Ministry of Education (MOE) of China, Jinan University, Guangzhou, P. R. China
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Structural Investigation of Betulinic Acid Plasma Metabolites by Tandem Mass Spectrometry. Molecules 2022; 27:molecules27217359. [PMID: 36364186 PMCID: PMC9656950 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27217359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2022] [Revised: 10/21/2022] [Accepted: 10/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Betulinic acid (BA) has been extensively studied in recent years mainly for its antiproliferative and antitumor effect in various types of cancers. Limited data are available regarding the pharmacokinetic profile of BA, particularly its metabolic transformation in vivo. In this study, we present the screening and structural investigations by ESI Orbitrap MS in the negative ion mode and CID MS/MS of phase I and phase II metabolites detected in mouse plasma after the intraperitoneal administration of a nanoemulsion containing BA in SKH 1 female mice. Obtained results indicate that the main phase I metabolic reactions that BA undergoes are monohydroxylation, dihydroxylation, oxidation and hydrogenation, while phase II reactions involved sulfation, glucuronidation and methylation. The fragmentation pathway for BA and its plasma metabolites were elucidated by sequencing of the precursor ions by CID MS MS experiments.
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Bailly C. Pharmacological Properties and Molecular Targets of Alisol Triterpenoids from Alismatis Rhizoma. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10081945. [PMID: 36009492 PMCID: PMC9406200 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10081945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Revised: 08/09/2022] [Accepted: 08/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
More than 100 protostane triterpenoids have been isolated from the dried rhizomes of Alisma species, designated Alismatis rhizoma (AR), commonly used in Asian traditional medicine to treat inflammatory and vascular diseases. The main products are the alisols, with the lead compounds alisol-A/-B and their acetate derivatives being the most abundant products in the plant and the best-known bioactive products. The pharmacological effects of Ali-A, Ali-A 24-acetate, Ali-B, Ali-B 23-acetate, and derivatives have been analyzed to provide an overview of the medicinal properties, signaling pathways, and molecular targets at the origin of those activities. Diverse protein targets have been proposed for these natural products, including the farnesoid X receptor, soluble epoxide hydrolase, and other enzymes (AMPK, HCE-2) and functional proteins (YAP, LXR) at the origin of the anti-atherosclerosis, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-fibrotic, and anti-proliferative activities. Activities were classified in two groups. The lipid-lowering and anti-atherosclerosis effects benefit from robust in vitro and in vivo data (group 1). The anticancer effects of alisols have been largely reported, but, essentially, studies using tumor cell lines and solid in vivo data are lacking (group 2). The survey shed light on the pharmacological properties of alisol triterpenoids frequently found in traditional phytomedicines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Bailly
- OncoWitan, Scientific Consulting Office, 59290 Lille (Wasquehal), France
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6
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Zheng T, Zhao Y, Li R, Huang M, Zhou A, Li Z, Wu H. Delineating the dynamic metabolic profile of Qi-Yu-San-Long decoction in rat urine using UPLC-QTOF-MSE coupled with a post-targeted screening strategy. J Pharm Anal 2022; 12:755-765. [PMID: 36320602 PMCID: PMC9615542 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpha.2022.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2021] [Revised: 04/27/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Qi-Yu-San-Long decoction (QYSLD) is a traditional Chinese medicine that has been clinically used in the treatment of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) for more than 20 years. However, to date, metabolic-related studies on QYSLD have not been performed. In this study, a post-targeted screening strategy based on ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight full information tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-QTOF-MSE) was developed to identify QYSLD-related xenobiotics in rat urine. The chemical compound database of QYSLD constituents was established from previous research, and metabolites related to these compounds were predicted in combination with their possible metabolic pathways. The metabolites were identified by extracted ion chromatograms using predicted m/z values as well as retention time, excimer ions, and fragmentation behavior. Overall, 85 QYSLD-related xenobiotics (20 prototype compounds and 65 metabolites) were characterized from rat urine. The main metabolic reactions and elimination features of QYSLD included oxidation, reduction, decarboxylation, hydrolysis, demethylation, glucuronidation, sulfation, methylation, deglycosylation, acetylation, and associated combination reactions. Of the identified molecules, 14 prototype compounds and 58 metabolites were slowly eliminated, thus accumulating in vivo over an extended period, while five prototypes and two metabolites were present in vivo for a short duration. Furthermore, one prototype and five metabolites underwent the process of “appearing-disappearing-reappearing” in vivo. Overall, the metabolic profile and characteristics of QYSLD in rat urine were determined, which is useful in elucidating the active components of the decoction in vivo, thus providing the basis for studying its mechanism of action. A post-targeted screening strategy based on UPLC-QTOF-MSE was developed. Twenty prototype compounds and 65 metabolites of QYSLD were identified in rat urine. The main metabolic reactions and elimination features of QYSLD were determined in vivo. Dynamic metabolic profiles of QYSLD-related xenobiotics at multiple time intervals were delineated.
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Yan P, Wei Y, Wang M, Tao J, Ouyang H, Du Z, Li S, Jiang H. Network pharmacology combined with metabolomics and lipidomics to reveal the hypolipidemic mechanism of Alismatis rhizoma in hyperlipidemic mice. Food Funct 2022; 13:4714-4733. [PMID: 35383784 DOI: 10.1039/d1fo04386b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Alismatis rhizoma (AR), the dried rhizome of Alisma orientale (Sam) Juzep, is effective in treating hyperlipidemia, but the mechanisms involved require further exploration. This study evaluated the hypolipidemic properties of AR using an integrated strategy combining network pharmacology with metabolomics and lipidomics. Firstly, a hyperlipidemia mouse model induced by a high-fat diet was established to evaluate the therapeutic effects of AR. Secondly, plasma metabolomics and lipidomics were used to identify differential metabolites and lipids, and metabolic pathway analysis was performed using MetaboAnalyst. Thirdly, network pharmacology, based on the metabolic profile of AR in vivo, was used to discover potential therapeutic targets. Finally, key targets were obtained through a compound-target-metabolite network, which was verified by molecular docking and quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR). Biochemistry analysis and histological examinations showed that AR exerted hypolipidemic effects on hyperlipidemic mice. Seventy potential biomarkers for the AR treatment of hyperlipidemia were identified by metabolomics and lipidomics, which were mainly involved in lipid metabolism, energy metabolism and amino acid metabolism. Eighteen potentially active compounds were identified in the plasma of mice after oral administration of AR, which were associated with 83 potential therapeutic targets. The PPAR signaling pathway was considered a crucial signaling pathway of AR against hyperlipidemia by KEGG analysis. The joint analysis showed that 6 upstream key targets were regulated by AR, including ALB, TNF, IL1B, MMP9, PPARA and PPARG. Molecular docking showed that active compounds of AR had high binding affinity with these key targets. qPCR further demonstrated that AR could reverse the mRNA expression of these key targets in hyperlipidemic mice. This study integrates network pharmacology with metabolomics and lipidomics to reveal the regulatory effects of AR on endogenous metabolites and validates key therapeutic targets, and represents the most systematic and in-depth study on the hypolipidemic activity of AR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pan Yan
- Tongji School of Pharmacy, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China.
| | - Yinyu Wei
- Tongji School of Pharmacy, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China.
| | - Meiqin Wang
- Tongji School of Pharmacy, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China.
| | - Jianmei Tao
- Tongji School of Pharmacy, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China.
| | - Hui Ouyang
- Jiangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanchang 330000, China
| | - Zhifeng Du
- Tongji School of Pharmacy, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China.
| | - Sen Li
- Department of Pharmacy, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China.
| | - Hongliang Jiang
- Tongji School of Pharmacy, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China.
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8
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Yan P, Wang L, Li S, Liu X, Sun Y, Tao J, Ouyang H, Zhang J, Du Z, Jiang H. Improved structural annotation of triterpene metabolites of traditional Chinese medicine in vivo based on quantitative structure-retention relationships combined with characteristic ions: Alismatis Rhizoma as an example. J Chromatogr B Analyt Technol Biomed Life Sci 2021; 1187:123012. [PMID: 34768050 DOI: 10.1016/j.jchromb.2021.123012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2021] [Revised: 10/08/2021] [Accepted: 10/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
As a fast, sensitive and selective method, liquid chromatography-tandem high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS) has been used for studying the in vivo metabolism of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). However, the rapid discovery and characterization of metabolites, especially isomers, remain challenging due to their complexity and low concentration in vivo. This study proposed a strategy to improve the structural annotation of prototypes and metabolites through characteristic ions and a quantitative structure-retention relationship (QSRR) model, and Alismatis Rhizoma (AR) triterpenes were used as an example. This strategy consists of four steps. First, based on an in-house database reported previously, prototypes and metabolites in biosamples were preliminarily identified. Second, the candidate structures of prototype compounds and metabolites were determined by characteristic ions, databases or potential metabolic pathways. Then, a QSRR model was established to predict the retention times of the proposed structure. Finally, the structures of unknown prototypes and metabolites were determined by matching experimental retention times with the predicted values. The QSRR model built by the genetic algorithm-multiple linear regression (GA-MLR) has excellent regression correlation (R2 = 0.9966). Based on this strategy, a total of 118 compounds were identified, including 47 prototypes and 71 metabolites, among which 61 unknown compounds were reasonably characterized. The typical compound identified by this strategy was successfully validated using a triterpene standard. This strategy can improve the annotation confidence of in vivo metabolites of TCM and facilitate further pharmacological research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pan Yan
- Tongji School of Pharmacy, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Lu Wang
- Tongji School of Pharmacy, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Sen Li
- Department of Pharmacy, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Xuechen Liu
- Tongji School of Pharmacy, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Yi Sun
- Tongji School of Pharmacy, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Jianmei Tao
- Tongji School of Pharmacy, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Hui Ouyang
- Jiangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanchang 330000, China
| | - Jianqing Zhang
- Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Zhifeng Du
- Tongji School of Pharmacy, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China.
| | - Hongliang Jiang
- Tongji School of Pharmacy, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China.
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9
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Identifying selective agonists targeting LXRβ from terpene compounds of alismatis rhizoma. J Mol Model 2021; 27:91. [PMID: 33616795 DOI: 10.1007/s00894-021-04699-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2020] [Accepted: 01/26/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Hyperlipidemia is thought of as an important contributor to coronary disease, diabetes, and fatty liver. Liver X receptor β (LXRβ) was considered as a validated target for hyperlipidemia therapy due to its role in regulating cholesterol homeostasis and immunity. However, many current drugs applied in clinics are not selectively targeting LXRβ, and they can also activate LXRα which activates SREBP-1c that worked as an activator of lipogenic genes. Therefore, exploiting agonists selectively targeting LXRβ is urgent. Here, computational tools were used to screen potential agonists selectively targeting LXRβ from 112 terpenes of alismatis rhizoma. Firstly, a structural analysis between selective and nonselective agonists was used to explore key residues of selective binding with LXRβ. Our data indicated that Phe271, Ser278, Met312, His435, and Trp457 were important to compounds binding with LXRβ, suggesting that engaging ligand interaction with these residues may provide directions for the development of ligands with improved selective profiles. Then, ADMET analysis, molecular docking, MD simulations, and calculation of binding free energy and its decomposition were executed to screen the agonists whose bioactivity was favorable from 112 terpenes of alismatis rhizoma. We found that two triterpenes 16-hydroxy-alisol B 23-acetate and alisol M 23-acetate showed favorable ADMET properties and high binding affinity against LXRβ. These compounds could be considered as promising selective agonists targeting LXRβ. Our work provides an alternative strategy for screening agonists selectively targeting LXRβ from alismatis rhizoma for hyperlipidemia disease treatment.
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