Integrated metabolomics and proteomics analysis to study the changes in Scutellaria baicalensis at different growth stages

Scutellaria baicalensis is a functional food that has the potential to treat various diseases. Scutellaria baicalensis can be divided into two types: Ziqin (strip types) and (rotten xylem). Ziqin is used to clear lower energizer large intestine heat syndrome, while Kuqin is used for the treatment of upper energizer lung heat syndrome. At present, the substance basis of the differences between Ziqin and Kuqin is not clear. The changes in metabolite accumulation and protein expression between them were analyzed by the non-targeted metabolomic technique in combination with the label-free proteomics approach. The results showed that the differentially accumulated metabolites and abundant proteins were mainly enriched in the pathways of phenylalanine, tyrosine and tryptophan biosynthesis, phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, flavonoid biosynthesis, flavone and flavonol biosynthesis, isoflavonoid biosynthesis, and anthocyanin biosynthesis. Collectively, these results reveal the changes of Scutellaria baicalensis in different growth years and provide a reference for selecting the appropriate harvest period.

Kuqin ameliorates Lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury by regulating indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 and Akkermansia muciniphila

Scutellariae radix (SR) has been proven to be highly effective in treating inflammation because of its superior medicinal properties. The two main commercial specifications of SR are Kuqin (KQ) and Ziqin (ZQ). According to traditional Chinese medicine theories, KQ has a better effect than ZQ on dispelling upper energizer lung damp heat, however, its mechanism of action is not known. Thus, this study investigated the role of KQ-induced alterations in endogenous metabolites and gut microbiota in regulating LPS-induced acute lung injury (ALI). KQ treatment ameliorated lung injury more effectively than ZQ and demonstrated satisfactory organ protection properties. KQ treatment reversed the tryptophan metabolite abnormalities in ALI and reshaped the composition of gut microbial communities. Additionally, the abundance of the enriched Akkermansia muciniphila was significantly and inversely correlated with the rate-limiting enzyme of the tryptophan/kynurenine pathway, indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1) activity (p = 0.0214, R² =0.7712). Furthermore, the beneficial and causative effects of A. muciniphila were confirmed by antibiotic and microbial intervention experiments. Live and pasteurized A. muciniphila, both supplements could ameliorate the inflammatory response and down-regulate IDO1 expression, thereby restoring tryptophan metabolic imbalance. In conclusion, the current study demonstrated for the first time that KQ may act on the A. muciniphila abundance, regulate IDO1 activity, and thus ameliorate ALI. Interestingly, A. muciniphila supplementation could be a promising therapeutic option for lung diseases through the gut-lung axis.

Leucosceptosides A and B: Two Phenyl-Ethanoid Glycosides with Important Occurrence and Biological Activities

In this review paper, the occurrence in the plant kingdom, the chemophenetic value and the biological activities associated with two specific phenyl-ethanoid glycosides, i.e., leucosceptoside A and leucosceptoside B, were reported. This is the first work ever conducted on such a subject. Analysis of the literature data clearly led to three important conclusions: leucosceptoside A is much more common in plants than leucosceptoside B; leucosceptoside A exerts more biological activities than leucosceptoside B even if nothing can be generally concluded about which one is actually the most potent; neither of these compounds can be used as a chemophenetic marker. These three aspects and more are discussed in more depth in this work.

Exploring native Scutellaria species provides insight into differential accumulation of flavones with medicinal properties

Scutellaria baicalensis is a well-studied medicinal plant belonging to the Lamiaceae family, prized for the unique 4′-deoxyflavones produced in its roots. In this study, three native species to the Americas, S. lateriflora, S. arenicola, and S. integrifolia were identified by DNA barcoding, and phylogenetic relationships were established with other economically important Lamiaceae members. Furthermore, flavone profiles of native species were explored. 4′-deoxyflavones including baicalein, baicalin, wogonin, wogonoside, chrysin and 4′-hydroxyflavones, scutellarein, scutellarin, and apigenin, were quantified from leaves, stems, and roots. Qualitative, and quantitative differences were identified in their flavone profiles along with characteristic tissue-specific accumulation. 4′-deoxyflavones accumulated in relatively high concentrations in root tissues compared to aerial tissues in all species except S. lateriflora. Baicalin, the most abundant 4′-deoxyflavone detected, was localized in the roots of S. baicalensis and leaves of S. lateriflora, indicating differential accumulation patterns between the species. S. arenicola and S. integrifolia are phylogenetically closely related with similar flavone profiles and distribution patterns. Additionally, the S. arenicola leaf flavone profile was dominated by two major unknown peaks, identified using LC–MS/MS to most likely be luteolin-7-O-glucuronide and 5,7,2′-trihydroxy-6-methoxyflavone 7-O-glucuronide. Collectively, results presented in this study suggest an evolutionary divergence of flavonoid metabolic pathway in the Scutellaria genus of Lamiaceae.

Isolation and quantification of diarylheptanoids from European hornbeam (Carpinus betulus L.) and HPLC-ESI-MS/MS characterization of its antioxidative phenolics

Detailed polyphenol profiling of European hornbeam (Carpinus betulus L.) bark, leaf, male and female catkin extracts was performed by high-performance liquid chromatography-diode array detection coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-DAD-MS/MS). A total of 194 compounds were characterized and tentatively identified. Gallo- and ellagitannins dominated in the methanol extracts, while flavonol glycosides and methoxylated flavones prevailed in the ethyl acetate samples. In the quest for diarylheptanoids, twelve compounds were isolated by the combination of subsequent reversed-phase flash chromatographic and high-performance liquid chromatographic methods. The structural elucidation of the isolated components was performed by ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography-Orbitrap mass spectrometry (UHPLC-Orbitrap-MS) as well as 1D and 2D nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Six known cyclic diarylheptanoids, together with a new compound were described in Carpinus betulus for the first time. The occurrence of a linear diarylheptanoid and a lignan has also been unprecedented in the genus Carpinus. Moreover, three known flavonol glycosides were isolated. Based on the identification of characteristic fragment ions, a new mass spectrometric fragmentation pathway for meta,meta-cyclophane-type diarylheptanoids was proposed. Quantities of the four major cyclic diarylheptanoids in European hornbeam were determined by a validated UHPLC-DAD method for the first time. The antioxidant properties of the extracts and the isolated compounds were assessed by the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay. Contribution of the individual constituents to the total radical scavenging activity of the samples was evaluated by an off-line DPPH-HPLC-DAD method. This allowed the identification of gallo- and ellagitannin derivatives as the constituents being primarily responsible for the antioxidant capacity of the extracts.

Investigation on the function tropism of Tiaoqin and Kuqin (different specification of Scutellaria baicalensis) by comparing their curative effect on different febrile disease model

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Scutellaria baicalensis (S. baicalensis) is the root of S. baicalensis Georgi. In traditional Chinese medicine it is divided into Tiaoqin (TQ, 1-3 years old) and Kuqin (KQ, more than 3 years old). However, the differences in TQ and KQ efficacy and their exact mechanisms are still unclear.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study aimed to clarify the difference in the efficacy of TQ and KQ in relation to different fever types (damp heat and hyperpyrexia) by using rat models, as well as to determine the primary molecular mechanism.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This study compared the compositional content of TQ and KQ by UPLC-MS/MS. Then, rat models of hyperpyrexia (HP, LPS) and damp heat (DH, high-fat and high-sugar diet feeding + fumigation in artificial climate chamber + E. coli injection) were established and their clinical symptoms, blood biochemistry, histopathological sections, cell cytokines and protein expression were compared following treatment with TQ or KQ. Finally, the mechanisms underpinning the differences observed for TQ and KQ were determined by measuring the components of these treatments in different target organs.

RESULTS

This study identified 31 compounds in the water extracts of both TQ and KQ, which differed significantly in their relative content. TQ and KQ showed different functional tropism in HP and DH model rats. Baicalin, wogonoside, oroxin A, baicalein, wogonin and oroxylin A appeared to be the basic functional components responsible for the functional tropism hypothesis, while the remaining compounds appeared to be the efficacy-oriented components. In addition, the difference in pharmacodynamics between TQ and KQ may be related to their absorption in vivo, which was consistent with the hypothesis of functional tropism proposed in this work.

CONCLUSION

In this study we adopted TQ and KQ-different specifications of Scutellaria baicalensis with similar chemical components-as a case study to systematically reveal the functional tropism of Chinese herbal medicine (CHM). The results showed that TQ and KQ contain the basic functional components to enable the basic function of 'clearing heat', while the variation in compositional content may result in their different therapeutic effects. A greater understanding and utilisation of the functional tropism of CHM would enormously improve the accuracy and scientific basis for the application of CHM medication, as well as in promoting the multi-function mechanism of CHM and guiding new drug development of CHM.

Traditional uses, ten-years research progress on phytochemistry and pharmacology, and clinical studies of the genus Scutellaria

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Scutellaria (Lamiaceae), which includes approximately 360-469 accepted species, is widespread in Europe, North America, East Asia, and South America. Several species have a long history being used as traditional medicines to treat respiratory, peptic, neurological, and hepatic and gall diseases. The phytochemistry and pharmacology of the genus Scutellaria have been developed dramatically in the past ten years, and the traditional uses and clinical studies of the genus have not been systematically summarized. Therefore, it is especially valuable to review the current state of knowledge to provide a basis for further exploration of its medicinal potential.

AIM OF THE REVIEW

The review aims to provide updated information on the ethnopharmacology, the ten-year research progress of phytochemistry and pharmacology, and clinical studies of Scutellaria and to explore the potential medicinal values and further studies of Scutellaria.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This review is based on published studies and books from the library and electronic sources, including SciFinder, Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, Baidu Scholar, CNKI, the online ethnobotanical database, and ethnobotanical monographs. This literature is related to ethnopharmacology, the ten-year research progress on the phytochemistry and pharmacology, and clinical studies of Scutellaria.

RESULTS

A total of 50 species, 5 subspecies and 17 varieties of the genus Scutellaria are used as traditional medicine with various biological activities. In the past ten years, 208 chemical constituents have been identified from 16 species and 1 variety of the genus Scutellaria, such as neo-clerodane diterpenoids, sesterterpenoids, terpenoids, flavonoids. Pharmacological research has demonstrated that the extracts and compounds identified from this genus exhibit extensive biological activities, including anticancer, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiviral and antibacterial activities, effects on cardiovascular, cerebrovascular diseases as well as hepatoprotective and neuroprotective effects. The species S. baicalensis, S. barbata, and S. lateriflora and the main compounds baicalein, baicalin and wogonin are involved in clinical trials, which point the way for us to conduct further studies, such as study on the anticancer, antihypertensive, anti-infective, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective and other effects of Scutellaria.

CONCLUSIONS

The species included in the genus Scutellaria can be used to treat cancer, infection, hepatic disorders, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, and other diseases. Some indications in traditional medicines have been confirmed by modern pharmacological studies, such as anticancer, anti-inflammatory, anti-infective activity, and hepatoprotective and neuroprotective effects. The available literature indicated that most of the bioactivities could be attributed to flavonoids and neo-clerodane diterpenoids. Although there are some uses of Scutellaria in clinical practice, the existing research on this genus is still limited. In order to expand the development of medicinal resources of Scutellaria, the already studied species in this genus are recommended for more comprehensive investigation on their active substances, pharmacological mechanisms, quality control, clinical use and new drug research. Additionally, it is necessary to study species that their chemical composition or pharmacological activity have not yet been investigated, especially those used in folk medicine.

Comparing the antidiabetic effects and chemical profiles of raw and fermented Chinese Ge-Gen-Qin-Lian decoction by integrating untargeted metabolomics and targeted analysis

Background

Microbial fermentation has been widely applied in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for thousands of years in China. Various beneficial effects of fermentation for applications in TCM or herbals have been reported, such as enhanced anti-ovarian cancer, antioxidative activity, and neuroprotective effects. Ge-Gen-Qin-Lian decoction (GQD), a classic TCM formula, has been used to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus in China. In this study, GQD was fermented with Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and the antidiabetic activities and overall chemical profiles of raw and fermented GQD (FGQD) were systematically compared.

Methods

First, the antidiabetic effects of GQD and FGQD on high-fat diet and streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats were compared. Then, high-performance liquid chromatography Q Exactive MS was applied for rapid characterization of the chemical components of GQD. Additionally, we proposed an integrated chromatographic technique based untargeted metabolomics identifying differential chemical markers between GQD and FGQD and targeted analysis determining the fermenting-induced quantitative variation tendencies of chemical marker strategy for overall chemical profiling of raw and fermented GQD.

Results

Both GQD and FGQD displayed effects against HFD and STZ-induced diabetes, and FGQD showed a better recovery trend associated with profound changes in the serum lipoprotein profile and body weight gain. In addition, 133 compounds were characterized from GQD. It was demonstrated that the integrated strategy holistically illuminated 30 chemical markers contributed to the separation of GQD and FGQD, and further elucidated the fermenting-induced chemical transformation mechanisms and inherent chemical connections of secondary metabolites. Although there were no new secondary metabolites in FGQD compared with GQD, the amounts of secondary metabolites, which were mostly deglycosylated, were redistributed in FGQD.

Conclusion

The anti-diabetic activities of GQD could be improved by applying fermentation technology. Moreover, the proposed strategy could serve as a powerful tool for systematically exploring the chemical profiles of raw and fermented formulas.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s13020-018-0208-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.