Extraction and Chromatography-Mass Spectrometric Analysis of the Active Principles from Selected Chinese Herbs and Other Medicinal Plants

Comparative Analysis of Hydrosol Volatile Components of Citrus × Aurantium 'Daidai' and Citrus × Aurantium L. Dried Buds with Different Extraction Processes Using Headspace-Solid-Phase Microextraction with Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry

This work used headspace solid-phase microextraction with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (HS-SPME-GC-MS) to analyze the volatile components of hydrosols of Citrus × aurantium 'Daidai' and Citrus × aurantium L. dried buds (CAVAs and CADBs) by immersion and ultrasound-microwave synergistic-assisted steam distillation. The results show that a total of 106 volatiles were detected in hydrosols, mainly alcohols, alkenes, and esters, and the high content components of hydrosols were linalool, α-terpineol, and trans-geraniol. In terms of variety, the total and unique components of CAVA hydrosols were much higher than those of CADB hydrosols; the relative contents of 13 components of CAVA hydrosols were greater than those of CADB hydrosols, with geranyl acetate up to 15-fold; all hydrosols had a citrus, floral, and woody aroma. From the pretreatment, more volatile components were retained in the immersion; the relative contents of linalool and α-terpineol were increased by the ultrasound-microwave procedure; and the ultrasound-microwave procedure was favorable for the stimulation of the aroma of CAVA hydrosols, but it diminished the aroma of the CADB hydrosols. This study provides theoretical support for in-depth exploration based on the medicine food homology properties of CAVA and for improving the utilization rate of waste resources.

Dual-spectrum online monitoring of puerarin and total flavonoids contents during the extraction process of Pueraria lobata

In the extraction process of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), the rapid detection of the active components of TCM plays a vital role. We pioneered the choice of dual-spectrum technology based on near-infrared (NIR) and ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectra and applied it to the quantitative monitoring of online extraction of puerarin and total flavonoids from Pueraria lobata. An online monitoring system was constructed to fulfill the dual-spectrum online monitoring. The extraction solution flows from a flask into a pipeline under the control of a peristaltic pump, removing the solid residues contained in the solution with filters. When the extraction solution flows into the cuvette, it will be measured with NIR and UV-Vis portable spectrometers. After finishing the spectra collection, the peristaltic pump will reverse to push the extraction solution back to the flask. The partial least squares (PLS) models were established to quantitatively analyze puerarin and total flavonoids by NIR, UV-Vis, and dual-spectrum data. As for NIR, UV-Vis and dual-spectrum, the RMSEP (mg/mL) of the puerarin models were 0.0803, 0.0500, and 0.0351, and those of the total flavonoids models were 0.4373, 0.2402, and 0.1795, respectively. The results show that the dual-spectrum online monitoring system is simple, stable and fast (a few seconds) in operation, and accurate in prediction. Compared with individual NIR or UV-Vis spectra, the dual-spectra contains more comprehensive information, and the prediction ability is stronger. This method is expected to become a promising tool for the quantitative analysis of other traditional Chinese medicines.

Dietary uptake of Wedelia chinensis extract attenuates dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis in mice

SCOPE

Traditional medicinal herbs are increasingly used as alternative therapies in patients with inflammatory diseases. Here we evaluated the effect of Wedelia chinensis, a medicinal herb commonly used in Asia, on the prevention of dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced acute colitis in mice. General safety and the effect of different extraction methods on the bioactivity of W. chinensis were also explored.

METHODS AND RESULTS

C57BL/6 mice were administrated hot water extract of fresh W. chinensis (WCHF) orally for one week followed by drinking water containing 2% DSS for nine days. WCHF significantly attenuated the symptoms of colitis including diarrhea, rectal bleeding and loss of body weight; it also reduced the shortening of colon length and histopathological damage caused by colonic inflammation. Among four W. chinensis extracts prepared using different extraction techniques, WCHF showed the highest anti-colitis efficacy. Analyses of specific T-cell regulatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-4, IFN-γ, IL-17, TGF-β, IL-12) revealed that WCHF treatment can suppress the Th1 and Th17, but not Th2, responses in colon tissues and dendritic cells of DSS-induced colitis mice. A 28-day subacute toxicity study showed that daily oral administration of WCHF (100, 500, 1000 mg/kg body weight) was not toxic to mice.

CONCLUSION

Together, our findings suggest that specific extracts of W. chinensis have nutritional potential for future development into nutraceuticals or dietary supplements for treatment of inflammatory bowel disease.

Overview of the quality standard research of traditional Chinese medicine

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been widely used for the prevention and treatment of various diseases for a long time in China. Due to its proven efficacy, wide applications, and low side effect, TCM has increasingly attracted worldwide attention. However, one of the biggest challenges facing the clinical practice of TCM is the uncontrollable quality. In this review, the progress of the development and the current status of quality standard as well as new quality control techniques introduced in Chinese Pharmacopoeia (2010 edition), such as liquid chromatography hyphenated mass spectrometry (LC-MS), fingerprint, quantitative analysis of multicomponents by single-marker (QAMS), thin layer chromatography bio-autographic assay (TLC-BAA), and DNA molecular marker technique, are briefly overviewed.

Strategies for quality control of Chinese medicines

Chinese medicines (CM) have been attracting interest and acceptance in many countries. Quality control is vital for ensuring the safety and efficacy of CM. Usually, CM are used as whole plant and/or combination of several herbs, and multiple constituents are responsible for the therapeutic effects. Therefore, quality control of CM is very difficult. To date, the valid method for quantitatively evaluating the quality of CM is poor. In this article, the strategies for quantification, related to the markers, reference compounds and approaches, in quality control of CM were reviewed and discussed.

Separation and purification of saponins from Semen Ziziphus jujuba and their sedative and hypnotic effects

Semen Ziziphus jujuba (SZJ) has long been used in Chinese traditional medicine for the treatment of anxiety and insomnia because of its effect of decreasing monoaminergic system activity; saponins are thought to be the main bioactive factors. To investigate the sedative and hypnotic effects of saponins from SZJ, silica gel column chromatography and thin-layer chromatography were used to purify the crude extract of total saponins from SZJ. High-performance liquid chromatography showed that saponins from SZJ comprised two components, compounds I and II. Animal tests were conducted using these two compounds to compare their sedative and hypnotic effects. Results showed that both compounds had a significant effect (P < 0.05, P < 0.01) on walking time compared with that of the control group. Compound I had a significant effect on coordinated movement (P < 0.05). Both compounds prolonged the suprathreshold barbiturate induced sleeping time (P < 0.05). The number of sleeping animals increased by 30% and 20% for compounds I and II, respectively, under the subthreshold dose of sodium barbital.

Comparison of the sedative and hypnotic effects of flavonoids, saponins, and polysaccharides extracted from Semen Ziziphus jujube

Semen Ziziphus jujube (SZJ), the seeds of Ziziphus jujuba Mill. var. spinosa, is a kind of traditional Chinese medicine used for its action on insomnia. In order to analyze the effective component, we investigated and compared the sedative and hypnotic effects of three kinds of compounds, flavonoids, saponins, and polysaccharides. Flavonoids, saponins, and polysaccharides were extracted from SZJ and orally administered to mice separately at 17 g kg(-1) per day for certain days before animal tests. Spontaneous motility and coordinated movement tests were used to observe the effects of the three kinds of compounds on the mouse behavior, and sodium barbital-induced sleeping time of mouse were tested to analyze the effects of the three kinds of compounds on the sleep of mouse. Results show that flavonoids and saponins caused a significant reduction of walking time and coordinated movement ability of mouse, significantly prolonged its sleeping time at 40 mg kg(-1), ip, subthreshold dose and increased the sleeping number of animals at 50 mg kg(-1), ip, superthreshold dose induced by coeliac injection of sodium barbital. Polysaccharides did not show any significance in all animal tests. Comparative analysis showed that saponins had a more effective sedative and hypnotic function than that of flavonoids, polysaccharides did not show a sedative and hypnotic effect.

Optimization of CZE for analysis of phytochemical bioactive compounds

Advantages of CZE such as high efficiency, low cost, short analysis time, and easy implementation result in its wide applications for analysis of phytochemical bioactive compounds (e.g. flavonoids, alkaloids, terpenoids, phenolic acid, saponins, anthraquinones and coumarins). However, several aspects, including sample preparation, separation, and detection have significant effects on CZE analysis. Therefore, optimization of these procedures is necessary for development of the method. In this review, sample preparation such as extraction method and preconcentration, separation factors including buffer type, concentration and pH, additives, voltage and temperature, as well as detection, e.g. direct and indirect UV detection, LIF and MS were discussed for optimization of CZE analysis on phytochemical bioactive compounds. The optimized strategies were also reviewed.

Identification and analysis of absorbed and metabolic components in rat plasma after oral administration of 'Shuangdan' granule by HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS/MS

A valid method using liquid chromatography-diode array detection-electrospray ionization (ESI) ion trap mass spectrometry was established for the study of the absorbed and metabolic components of a Chinese medicine 'Shuangdan' granule in rat plasma after oral administration. The plasma samples were acidified with 1M hydrochloric acid and extracted with ethyl acetate (EtOAc) of two-fold volume for three times. The chromatographic separation was carried out on a Zorbax SB-C18 column with a linear gradient whereas 0.1% acetic acid/water/acetonitrile was used as mobile phase. Mass spectra were acquired in both negative and positive modes. More than 20 components including 16 components from 'Shuangdan' granule and 5 metabolites were simultaneously identified by comparing their mass spectra and retention behavior with reference compounds or literature data. The results proved that the established method could be used to identify the structure of active components responsible for the pharmacological effects of 'Shuangdan' granule.

Overview on the Analytical Tools for Quality Control of Natural Product-Based Supplements: A Case Study of Ginseng

The quality of pharmaceutical products like ginseng is important for ensuring consumer safety and efficacy. Many ginseng products sold today are in various formulations such as powder, capsules, tablets, soft-gels, liquid extracts, and tea. This renders ginseng less identifiable by smell, taste, or physical appearance. Furthermore, as ginseng is expensive, adulteration with other cheaper products occurs. Hence quality assurance of ginseng is needed. This paper reviews the major techniques for ascertaining the level of ginsenosides, the primary active ingredients for ginseng, and covers high-performance liquid, gas, and thin-layer chromatographies, infrared and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopies, enzyme immunoassays, and other molecular methods. Supporting techniques such as ultraviolet, fluorescence, diode array and evaporative light scattering detections, and mass spectrometry will also be touched upon. This review also discusses the principles and applications of biosensors-in particular fiber optic-based sensors-and their feasibility in ginseng analysis based on preliminary studies. Despite their potential, there is currently no or limited commercial exploitation of fiber optic-based sensors to perform ginseng quality analysis. The opportunity for biosensors to be used for the rapid quality surveillance of ginseng is appealing, but several key issues still need to be addressed before they find widespread applications in the traditional Chinese medicine industry.

Separation Methods for Toxic Components in Traditional Chinese Medicines

Traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) with many unique functions for treating diseases have attracted the interest of people worldwide. They have been popularly utilized for therapy and health promotion in most Asian countries and even in many European and North American countries. However, it should be clearly noted that TCMs are mixtures with complicated composition usually containing hundreds, even thousands of chemically different constituents, and it is the multiple constituents that work synthetically to determine the ultimate effect of a formula of TCM. Meanwhile, some components with toxicity in some TCMs, having various negative effects on different parts of body, may do serious harm to people's health; such harm in particular requires our attention. In this article, applications of different chromatographic and electrophoretic techniques in the analysis of toxic components in TCMs in recent decades have been comprehensively reviewed and some hyphenated procedures (combinations of two kinds of measurement) applied in this field are also summarized.

Rapid determination of essential oil in Acorus tatarinowii Schott. by pressurized hot water extraction followed by solid-phase microextraction and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry

A simple, rapid, efficient and inexpensive method for the determination of essential oil in a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), Acorus Tatarinowii Schott. was developed by using pressurized hot water extraction (PHWE) combined with solid-phase microextraction (SPME) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Acorus Tatarinowii Schott. (0.050 g) was subjected to dynamic extraction with water at 50 bar, 150 degrees C and 1.0 ml/min for 5.0 min, and then the essential oil in the aqueous extract were extracted by SPME fibers at 60 degrees C for 10 min, finally the compounds on the fiber were desorbed and analyzed by GC-MS. The PHWE and SPME parameters were studied. The key active compound of alpha-asarone in the TCM samples from three different growing areas was quantitatively analyzed by external standard method. Compared to steam distillation (SD), the proposed method required little time (only 15 min) to prepare sample. Moreover, little sample mass and no organic solvent was needed. The present method provided good repeatability (R.S.D. less than 13.0%) and recovery (92% for alpha-asarone). It has been shown that PHWE-SPME-GC-MS is an alternative method for determination of essential oils in TCMs and a potential tool for TCM quality assessment.

Recent advances in analysis of Chinese medical plants and traditional medicines

Chinese herbal medicine is gaining increasing popularity worldwide for health promotion and adjuvant therapy. Thus, selective and efficient analytical methods are required not only for quality assurance but also for authentication of the plant material. Applications of both chromatographic and electrophoretic techniques to the analysis of medicinal plants and Chinese traditional medicine preparations over the last 3 years are outlined in this review. The role of chemical fingerprinting is highlighted and a brief survey of determination of toxic components, natural and synthetic adulterants is also included. Moreover, different sample pretreatment and extraction methods are discussed.