UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS-oriented characteristic components dataset and multivariate statistical techniques for the holistic quality control of Usnea

Comparative metabolomics study on the secondary metabolites of the red alga, Corallina officinalis and its associated endosymbiotic fungi

Marine endosymbionts have gained remarkable interest in the last three decades in terms of natural products (NPs) isolated thereof, emphasizing the chemical correlations with those isolated from the host marine organism. The current study aimed to conduct comparative metabolic profiling of the marine red algae Corallina officinalis, and three fungal endosymbionts isolated from its inner tissues namely, Aspergillus nidulans, A. flavipes and A. flavus. The ethyl acetate (EtOAc) extracts of the host organism as well as the isolated endosymbionts were analyzed using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled to high resolution tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS)in both positive and negative ion modes, applying both full scan (FS) and all ion fragmentation (AIF) modes. Extensive interpretation of the LC-MS/MS spectra had led to the identification of 76 metabolites belonging to different phytochemical classes including alkaloids, polyketides, sesquiterpenes, butyrolactones, peptides, fatty acids, isocoumarins, quinones, among others. Metabolites were tentatively identified by comparing the accurate mass and fragmentation pattern with metabolites previously reported in the literature, as well as bioinformatics analysis using GNPS. A relationship between the host C. officinalis and its endophytes (A. flavus, A. nidulans, and A. flavipes) was discovered. C. officinalis shares common metabolites with at least one of the three endosymbiotic fungi. Some metabolites have been identified in endophytes and do not exist in their host. Multivariate analysis (MVA) revealed discrimination of A. flavipes from Corallina officinalis and other associated endophytic Aspergillus fungi (A. flavus and A. nidulans).

Advancing herbal medicine: enhancing product quality and safety through robust quality control practices

This manuscript provides an in-depth review of the significance of quality control in herbal medication products, focusing on its role in maintaining efficiency and safety. With a historical foundation in traditional medicine systems, herbal remedies have gained widespread popularity as natural alternatives to conventional treatments. However, the increasing demand for these products necessitates stringent quality control measures to ensure consistency and safety. This comprehensive review explores the importance of quality control methods in monitoring various aspects of herbal product development, manufacturing, and distribution. Emphasizing the need for standardized processes, the manuscript delves into the detection and prevention of contaminants, the authentication of herbal ingredients, and the adherence to regulatory standards. Additionally, it highlights the integration of traditional knowledge and modern scientific approaches in achieving optimal quality control outcomes. By emphasizing the role of quality control in herbal medicine, this manuscript contributes to promoting consumer trust, safeguarding public health, and fostering the responsible use of herbal medication products.

Recent advances on natural depsidones: sources, biosynthesis, structure-activity relationship, and bioactivities

Depsidones are a class of polyphenolic polyketides that have been proposed to be biosynthesized from oxidative coupling of esters of two polyketidic benzoic acid derivatives. They are principally encountered in fungi and lichens. In addition to their diversified structural features, they revealed varied bioactivities such as antimicrobial, antimalarial, cytotoxic, anti-inflammatory, anti-Helicobacter pylori, antimycobacterial, antihypertensive, anti-diarrheal, antidiabetic, phytotoxic, anti-HIV, anti-osteoclastogenic, and butyrylcholinesterase, tyrosinase, hyaluronidase, and acetylcholinesterase inhibition. The current work was targeted to provide an overview on the naturally reported depsidones from various sources in the period from 2018 to the end of 2022 including their structures, biosynthesis, sources, and bioactivities, as well as the reported structure-activity relationship and semisynthetic derivatives. A total of 172 metabolites with 87 references were reviewed. The reported findings unambiguously demonstrated that these derivatives could be promising leads for therapeutic agents. However, further in-vivo evaluation of their potential biological properties and mechanistic investigations are needed.

Working with the natural complexity: Selection and characterization of black cohosh root extract for use in toxicology testing

Black cohosh (Actaea racemosa L.) is a botanical supplement marketed to women of all ages. Due to paucity of data to assess the safe use, the National Toxicology Program (NTP) is evaluating the toxicity of black cohosh. The use of an authentic, quality material is imperative to generate robust data. Because botanical materials are complex mixtures with variable composition, the selection of a material is challenging. We describe selection and phytochemical characterization of an unformulated black cohosh root extract (i.e., an extract that serves as source material for a formulated product) to be used in the NTP assessments. A material was selected using a combination of non-targeted and targeted chemical analyses, including confirmation of authenticity, absence of contaminants and adulterants, and similarity to a popular black cohosh product used by consumers. Thirty-nine constituents covering three major classes, triterpene glycosides, phenolic acids, and alkaloids were identified. Among constituents quantified, triterpene glycosides made up approximately 4.7% (w/w) with total constituents quantified making up 5.8% (w/w) of the extract. Non-targeted chemical analysis followed by chemometric analysis of various materials sold as black cohosh, and reference materials for black cohosh and other Actaea species further confirmed the suitability of the selected extract for use.

Metabolic processes involved with sugar alcohol and secondary metabolite production in the hyperaccumulator lichen Diploschistes muscorum reveal its complex adaptation strategy against heavy-metal stress

The synthesis of various unique secondary metabolites by lichens is the result of mutualistic symbiotic association between the mycobiont and autotrophic photobiont. The function of these compounds and causal factors for their production are not fully understood. This paper examines the effect of heavy-metal bioaccumulation and physiological parameters related to photosynthesis and carbon metabolism on the production of lichen substances in hyperaccumulator Diploschistes muscorum. The obtained model of secondary metabolite concentrations in the thalli demonstrates that the carbon source provided by the photobiont and associated polyols produced by the mycobiont have positive impact on the production; on the contrary, the increased intracellular load of heavy metals and excessive loss of cell membrane integrity adversely affected secondary metabolite contents. Additionally, the production of secondary metabolites appears to be more dependent on intracellular metal concentrations than on soil pollution level. To compensate for metal stress, both efficient functioning of algal component and sufficient production of secondary metabolites are required. The balanced physiological functioning of mycobiont and photobiont constitutes the complex protective mechanism to alleviate the harmful effects of heavy metal stress on primary and secondary metabolism of lichens.

Chemotype variations among lichen ecotypes of Umbilicaria aprina as revealed by LC-ESI-MS/MS: a survey of antioxidant phenolics

In the present study, we characterized the phytochemical properties, which were specifically associated with phenolic compounds and antioxidant activities in six distinct ecotypes of Umbilicaria aprina Nyl. from Iran (including Kivarestan, Mishan, Takht-e Nader, Tochal, Sabalan, and Sahand) to detect diversities within the species. Total phenolic concentration (TPC) and radical scavenging capacities of U. aprina ecotypes were evaluated. Moreover, qualitative differences between chemical profiles were surveyed using liquid chromatography electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS). Relatively moderate TPCs (Kivarestan = 36.12 ± 2.1, Mishan = 41.59 ± 2.2, Takht-e Nader = 31.85 ± 1.3, Tochal = 37.55 ± 2.3, Sabalan = 28.91 ± 2.5, and Sahand = 31.59 ± 2.2) were observed for ecotypes, but a very strong correlation (r = -0/842) was obtained between TPCs and IC₅₀ values. Based on the results of LC-ESI-MS/MS, the following chemical substances were identified: orsellinic acid (1), lecanoric acid (2), evernic acid (3), gyrophoric acid (4), umbilicaric acid (5), hiascic acid (6), stictic acid (7) methyl hiascic acid (8), and an unknown substance (9). The MS/MS fragmentation scheme for each substance was determined and proposed. Wide discrepancies were observed in the chemical profiles of lichen ecotypes, which may corroborate the influence of ecological locality conditions, for example, altitude and slope aspects on secondary metabolism of lichen species U. aprina. The north-facing and east-facing ecotypes (Sabalan and Mishan, respectively) lacked depsidones (stictic acid) mainly because they receive the least direct radiation. Mishan ecotype, as the only east-facing ecotype, showed the most different chemical profile.

Advances and Prospects of Phenolic Acids Production, Biorefinery and Analysis

Biotechnological production of phenolic acids is attracting increased interest due to their superior antioxidant activity, as well as other antimicrobial, dietary, and health benefits. As secondary metabolites, primarily found in plants and fungi, they are effective free radical scavengers due to the phenolic group available in their structure. Therefore, phenolic acids are widely utilised by pharmaceutical, food, cosmetic, and chemical industries. A demand for phenolic acids is mostly satisfied by utilising chemically synthesised compounds, with only a low quantity obtained from natural sources. As an alternative to chemical synthesis, environmentally friendly bio-based technologies are necessary for development in large-scale production. One of the most promising sustainable technologies is the utilisation of microbial cell factories for biosynthesis of phenolic acids. In this paper, we perform a systematic comparison of the best known natural sources of phenolic acids. The advances and prospects in the development of microbial cell factories for biosynthesis of these bioactive compounds are discussed in more detail. A special consideration is given to the modern production methods and analytics of phenolic acids.

Evaluation of Antifungal Phenolics from Helianthus tuberosus L. Leaves against Phytophthora capsici Leonian by Chemometric Analysis

Phytophthora capsici Leonian causes destructive economical losses in pepper production, and a promising source of natural fungicides- Helianthus tuberosus leaves was reported. The antifungal activities of different extracts and compounds from H. tuberosus leaves against the phytopathogen, P. capsici Leonian, were examined by chemometric analysis, including HPLC-MS/MS and multivariate data analyses. Principal component analysis and orthogonal partial least squares-discriminate analysis were applied to examine the four groups of H. tuberosus leaves samples, including crude extracts obtained by different methods, including refluxing, macerating, and refluxing under vacuum; four fractions, namely, petroleum ether (PE), chloroform (Chl), ethyl acetate (EA), and n-butanol (NB) fractions; the samples of three H. tuberosus cultivars; and the samples at three growth stages of cultivar Nan Yu. The phenolics contents were categorized based on 3,5-Dicaffeoylquinic acid (3,5-DiCQA), 1,5-Dicaffeoylquinic acid (1,5-DiCQA), 3-O-Caffeoylquinic acid (3-CQA), and 4,5-Dicaffeoylquinic acid (4,5-DiCQA), which were predominant in all the samples. Antifungal activity assay revealed that Chl and NB fractions were more active against P. capsici Leonian with lower IC50(half of maximal inhibitory concentration) values, whereas partial least squares-discriminate analysis suggested caffeoylquinic acid isomer(4-CQA), methyl-quercetin glycoside(MQG), and caffeic acid(CA) might be the main active components in H. tuberosus leaves against P. capsici Leonian. Furthermore, microscopic evaluation demonstrated structural deformities in P. capsici Leonian treated with Chl and NB fractions, indicating the antifungal effects of H. tuberosus leaves. These results imply that H. tuberosus leaves with a high concentration of phenolics might be a promising source of natural fungicides.