Research on Quality Markers of Moutan Cortex : Quality Evaluation and Quality Standards of Moutan Cortex

Comprehensive comparison of different parts of Paeonia ostii, a food-medicine plant, based on untargeted metabolomics, quantitative analysis, and bioactivity analysis

Introduction

Paeonia ostii T. Hong & J.X. Zhang (s.s.) (Chinese name, Fengdan) is a widely cultivated food-medicine plant in China, in which root bark, seed kernels, and flowers are utilized for their medicinal and edible values. However, other parts of the plant are not used efficiently, in part due to a poor understanding of their chemical composition and potential biological activity.

Methods

Untargeted ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time of flight-mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF-MS) metabolomics was applied to characterize the metabolic profiles of 10 different parts of P. ostii.

Results and discussion

A total of 160 metabolites were alternatively identified definitely or tentatively, which were significantly different in various plant parts by multivariate statistical analysis. Quantitative analysis showed that underutilized plant parts also contain many active ingredients. Compared with the medicinal part of root bark, the root core part still contains a higher content of paeoniflorin (17.60 ± 0.06 mg/g) and PGG (15.50 ± 2.00 mg/g). Petals, as an edible part, contain high levels of quercitrin, and stamens have higher methyl gallate and PGG. Unexpectedly, the ovary has the highest content of methyl gallate and rather high levels of PGG (38.14 ± 1.27 mg/g), and it also contains surprisingly high concentrations of floralalbiflorin I. Paeoniflorin (38.68 ± 0.76 mg/g) is the most abundant in leaves, and the content is even higher than in the root bark. Branches are also rich in a variety of catechin derivatives and active ingredients such as hydrolyzable tannins. Seed kernels also contain fairly high levels of paeoniflorin and albiflorin. Fruit shells still contain a variety of components, although not at high levels. Seed coats, as by-products removed from peony seeds before oil extraction, have high contents of stilbenes, such as trans-gnetin H and suffruticosol B, showing significant potential for exploitation. Except for the seed kernels, extracts obtained from other parts exhibited good antioxidant activity in DPPH, ABTS, and ferric ion reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays (0.09-1.52 mmol TE/g). Five compounds (gallic acid, PGG, trans-resveratrol, kaempferol, and quercitrin) were important ingredients that contributed to their antioxidant activities. Furthermore, P. ostii seed cakes were first reported to possess agonistic activity toward CB1/CB2 receptors. This study provides a scientific basis for the further development and utilization of P. ostii plant resources.

Integrating pharmacokinetics and network analysis to investigate the mechanism of Moutan Cortex in blood-heat and blood stasis syndrome

Background

Raw Moutan Cortex (RMC) has been used in China and other Asian countries for thousands of years. Its medical application is the treatment of cooling blood and promoting blood circulation. However, its therapeutic mechanism is still undefined.

Methods

In this study, the pharmacokinetics strategy that integrated network analysis was employed to explore the mechanism of RMC in blood-heat and blood stasis syndrome (BHS) model rats. Firstly, Ultra-High performance Liquid Chromatography coupled with Diode Array Detector (UHPLC-DAD) method was developed to determine nine absorbed compounds in rat serum in BHS and normal rats after oral administration of RMC extract respectively. Then the pharmacology network was established based on the relationship between nine compounds absorbed into the blood and BHS targets. Finally, the predicted hub targets were validated experimentally in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs).

Results

Pharmacokinetic study showed that the pharmacokinetic parameters of nine absorbed compounds had significant differences between BHS and normal groups (p < 0.05). Network analysis showed that 8 target genes, namely, F2, F10, F7, PLAU, MAPK14, MAPK10, AKT1, and NOS3 may be the primary targets regulated by RMC for the treatment of BHS. Among them, targets (F2, F10, F7 and MAPK14, MAPK10, AKT) and 4 active ingredients (paeonol, paeoniflorin, quercetin and oxypaeoniflorin) were selected for evaluating the reliability in vitro experiments, which revealed that the mechanism of RMC against BHS syndrome may inhibit inflammatory pathways and regulate coagulation cascades pathway for cooling and promoting blood circulation.

Conclusion

The proposed pharmacokinetics study integrated network analysis strategy provides a combination method to explore the therapeutic mechanism of RMC on BHS.

Graphical Abstract

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13020-022-00657-w.

Identification of Medicinal Compounds of Fagopyri Dibotryis Rhizome from Different Origins and Its Varieties Using UPLC-MS/MS-Based Metabolomics

Fagopyrum dibotrys, being native to southwest China, is widely distributed in Yunnan, Guizhou Provinces and Chongqing City. However, the quality of medicinal materials growing in different origins varies greatly, and cannot meet the market demand for high-quality F. dibotrys. In this study, 648 metabolites were identified, and phenolic compounds of F. dibotrys from different origins were clearly separated by principal component analysis (PCA). Our results suggested that the medicinal differences of F. dibotrys from different origins can be elucidated via the variations in the abundance of the phenolic and flavonoid compounds. We found that the epicatechin, total flavonoids and total tannin content in Yunnan Qujing (YQ) and Yunnan Kunming (YK) were higher than those in Chongqing Shizhu (CS), Chongqing Fuling (CF) and Guizhou Bijie (GB), suggesting that Yunnan Province can be considered as one of the areas that produce high-quality medicinal materials. Additionally, 1,6-di-O-galloyl-β-D-glucose, 2,3-di-O-galloyl-D-glucose and gallic acid could be used as ideal marker compounds for the quality control of F. dibotrys from different origins caused by metabolites, and the F. dibotrys planted in Yunnan Province is well worth exploiting.

Studies on Quality Markers of Kaihoujian Spray for Anti-Inflammation Based on Gray Correlation Analysis Strategy

Kaihoujian spray (KHJ) was originated from the classical prescription of Miao medicine, which was commonly used for acute and chronic pharyngitis. The prescription was composed of Sophorae Tonkinensis Radix, Ardisiae Radix, Cicadae Periostracum, and menthol. However, in previous literature, only clinical studies have been reported. The Quality Marker (Q-Markers) of KHJ on anti-inflammation has not been clearly elucidated. In this study, a gray correlation analysis strategy combined with network pharmacology analysis was established for the investigation of Q-Markers in KHJ. A total of 52 components were identified or tentatively characterized in KHJ, including alkaloids, saponins, bergenin, flavonoids, amino acids, and their derivatives. Furthermore, regularity of recipe composition and gray correlation analysis revealed that the correlation degree of all peaks was greater than 0.5. The ranking of correlation degree was peak 1 > 6>9 > 8>7 > 10>4 > 5>11 > 3>2. Among them, peaks 2, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, and 11 were identified as anagyrine, matrine, sophocarpine, norbergenin, bengenin, 11-O-galloylbergenin, and trifolirhizin. The network pharmacology analysis revealed that EGFR, MMP9, MMP3, MMP1, and PTGS2 were the main targets of KHJ. Bergenin, matrine, sophocarpine, calycosin, and trifolirhizin were the main anti-inflammatory active ingredient in KHJ. These results proposed that bergenin, sophocarpidine, sophocarpine, and trifolirhizin could be the Q-Markers of KHJ on anti-inflammation. The process of discovering the Q-Markers would provide a promising method of quality control on KHJ.

Grey Relational Analysis Combined With Network Pharmacology to Identify Antioxidant Components and Uncover Its Mechanism From Moutan Cortex

The present study determines the potential antioxidants in Moutan Cortex (MC) and predicts its targets of anti-oxidative activities. The quantitative analysis and the free radical scavenging assays were conducted to detect the main components in MC and assess its anti-oxidant activities. The grey relational analysis and the network pharmacology approach were employed to predict its key components and targets of anti-oxidant activities. Six main constitutes in MCs were quantified by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and its anti-oxidant activities were evaluated by DPPH and ABTS free radical scavenging methods. Then grey relational analysis was employed to predict the key components acting on anti-oxidative activity based on the chem-bio results. The predicted components and its mechanisms on anti-oxidation were uncovered by network pharmacology approach and cell test, respectively. The content of paeonol and paeoniflorin accounts for more than 80% the whole content of detected components. However, the two main ingredients showed a great variety among MCs. The antioxidant capacities of MCs also showed a great discrepancy based on DPPH and ABTS methods. The key components acting on anti-oxidation were identified to be paeonol, gallic acid and benzoylpaeoniflorin, and their potential therapeutic targets were predicted and verified, respectively. The present results reveal that MC has a significant antioxidant activity and the compounds of paeonol, gallic acid and benzoylpaeoniflorin could be considered as the promising antioxidant candidates with the property of suppressing oxidative stress and apoptosis.

Paeonol for the Treatment of Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease: A Pharmacological and Mechanistic Overview

With improvement in living standards and average life expectancy, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease incidences and mortality have been increasing annually. Paeonia suffruticosa, a natural herb, has been used for the treatment of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease for thousands of years in Eastern countries. Paeonol is an active ingredient extracted from Paeonia suffruticosa. Previous studies have extensively explored the clinical benefits of paeonol. However, comprehensive reviews on the cardiovascular protective effects of paeonol have not been conducted. The current review summarizes studies reporting on the protective effects of paeonol on the cardiovascular system. This study includes studies published in the last 10 years. The biological characteristics of Paeonia suffruticosa, pharmacological mechanisms of paeonol, and its toxicological and pharmacokinetic characteristics were explored. The findings of this study show that paeonol confers protection against atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease through various mechanisms, including inflammation, platelet aggregation, lipid metabolism, mitochondria damage, endoplasmic reticulum stress, autophagy, and non-coding RNA. Further studies should be conducted to elucidate the cardiovascular benefits of paeonol.

Systems pharmacology-based dissection of mechanisms of Tibetan medicinal compound Ruteng as an effective treatment for collagen-induced arthritis rats

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Compound Ruteng (CRT) is a prescribed formulation based on the theory of Tibetan medicine for the treatment of yellow-water-disease. It is consisted with 7 medicinal material include Boswellia carterii Birdw (named "Ruxiang" in Chinese); Tinospora sinensis (Lour.) Merr. (named "Kuan-Jin-Teng" in Chinese), Cassia obtusifolia L (named "Jue-Ming-Zi" in Chinese); Abelmoschus manihot (L.) Medic (named "Huang-Kui-Zi" in Chinese); Terminalia chebula Retz. (named "He-Zi" in Chinese); Lamiophlomis rotata (Benth.) Kudo (named "Du-Yi-Wei" in Chinese) and Pyrethrum tatsienense (Bur. et Franch.) Ling (named "Da-Jian-Ju" in Chinese). They are widely distributed in Tibet area of China and have been used to treat rheumatism, jaundice, and skin diseases for centuries.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The present study was conducted to investigate the anti-arthritis effect of CRT and to disclose the systems pharmacology-based dissection of mechanisms.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The chemical constituents in CRT were identified using HPLC method, and CRT candidate targets against RA were screened by network pharmacology-based analysis and further experimentally validated based on collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) rat model. Furthermore, therapeutic mechanisms and pathways of CRT were investigated.

RESULTS

391 potential targets (protein) were predicted against 92 active ingredients of 7 medicinal materials in CRT. Enrichment analysis and molecular docking studies also enforced the practiced results. X-ray based physiological imaging showed the attenuated effect of CRT on paw swelling, synovial joints and cartilage with improved inflammation in CIA rats. Moreover, the expression of biomarkers associated with RA such as MMP1, MMP3 and MMP13 and TNF-a, COX2 and iNOS are down-regulated in ankle joints, serum, or liver.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, CRT compound could attenuate RA symptoms and active ingredients of this compound could be considered for drug designing to treat RA.

Research on Quality Markers of Guizhi Fuling Prescription for Endometriosis Treatment Based on Gray Correlation Analysis Strategy

Guizhi Fuling prescription (GFP), a prestigious prescription of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) recorded in “Jingui Yaolue,” was composed of five Chinese medicines, including Moutan Cortex, Paeoniae Radix Alba, Persicae Semen, Poria Cocos, and Cinnamomi Ramulus. It was used for the treatment of endometriosis, primary dysmenorrhea, and blood stasis for centuries. However, its Quality Markers of treating endometriosis have not been clearly elucidated. In this study, a rapid ultraperformance liquid chromatography/quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC/Q-TOF-MS/MS) method was established for Quality Markers investigation on GFP, and a total of 50 potentially bioactive constituents including triterpenoids, paeoniflorin and its derivatives, phenolic acids, and other species were identified based on their retention time, fragmentation pattern, and accurately measured mass value. Furthermore, regularity of recipe composition and gray correlation analysis revealed that all of the characteristic peaks contributed to the treatment of endometriosis. The relative correlation degrees were greater than 0.6. Among them, peaks 1 and 10, which were most closely correlated to the endometriosis, were identified as amygdalin and cinnamic acid. Finally, all of the active ingredients were molecularly docked with proteins associated with endometriosis by Schrodinger method. Among them, amygdalin, cinnamic acid, paeonol, gallic acid, and paeoniflorin had the lower binding energies. It was proposed that these constituents could be directed at Quality Markers for GFP. Thus, the integrated approach describing for revealing Quality Markers of GFP could be expected to provide a method for quality evaluation.

Quality transitivity of Danhong Huayu Koufuye: A study on chemical profiles of medicinal herbs, compound preparation and dosed rat plasma using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry

Danhong Huayu Koufuye (DHK), an effective Chinese medicine preparation, is mainly used for the treatment of blurred vision and sudden blindness caused by qi stagnation and blood stasis, as well as the absorption period of central retinal vein occlusion. However, the current quality standard is relatively low, only stipulating the content of protocatechualdehyde. Chemical transitivity is the basis for discovering quality markers and is used in quality process control of Chinese medicines. Herein, the chemical profiles of seven medicinal herbs, DHK and dosed rat plasma were comprehensively analyzed using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry. As a result, 134 chemical constituents were identified in seven medicinal herbs, including salvianolic acids, diterpene quinones, phenolic acids, phthalides, cyanogenic glycosides, flavonoids and triterpenoid saponins. Among them, 55 chemical constituents were transferred to DHK along with extraction and preparation, and 26 were further absorbed into blood and metabolized to produce 11 metabolites after oral administration. The transitivity of DHK from medicinal herbs to compound preparation and into blood was analyzed for the first time. This article will be valuable to ascertain the quality markers for quality process control and further pharmacokinetic studies.

A metabolomics strategy for authentication of plant medicines with multiple botanical origins, a case study of Uncariae Rammulus Cum Uncis

Source authentication of herbal medicines was essential for ensuring their safety, efficacy and quality consistency, especially those with multiple botanical origins. This study proposed a metabolomics strategy for species discrimination and source recognition. Uncariae Rammulus Cum Uncis, officially stipulating the stems with hooks of five Uncaria species as its origins, was taken as a case study. Firstly, an untargeted MS^E method was developed by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography hyphenated with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry for global metabolite characterization. Subsequently, data pretreatment was conducted by using Progenesis QI software and screening rules. The obtained metabolite features were defined as variables for statistical analyses. Principal component analysis and chemical fingerprinting spectra suggested that five official species were differentiated from each other except for Uncaria hirsuta and Uncaria sinensis. Furthermore, orthogonal partial least squares discrimination analysis was performed to discriminate confused two species, and resulted in the discovery of nine contributing markers. Ultimately, a Support Vector Machine model was developed to recognize five species and predict origins of commercial materials. The study demonstrated that the developed strategy was effective in discrimination and recognition of confused species, and promising in tracking botanical origins of commercial materials.