Simultaneous Determination of Six Active Compounds in Yixin Badiranjibuya Granules, a Traditional Chinese Medicine, by RP-HPLC-UV Method

Tilianin: A Potential Natural Lead Molecule for New Drug Design and Development for the Treatment of Cardiovascular Disorders

Cardiovascular disorders (CVDs) are the leading risk factor for death worldwide, and research into the processes and treatment regimens has received a lot of attention. Tilianin is a flavonoid glycoside that can be found in a wide range of medicinal plants and is most commonly obtained from Dracocephalum moldavica. Due to its extensive range of biological actions, it has become a well-known molecule in recent years. In particular, numerous studies have shown that tilianin has cardioprotective properties against CVDs. Hence, this review summarises tilianin’s preclinical research in CVDs, as well as its mechanism of action and opportunities in future drug development. The physicochemical and drug-likeness properties, as well as the toxicity profile, were also highlighted. Tilianin can be a natural lead molecule in the therapy of CVDs such as coronary heart disease, angina pectoris, hypertension, and myocardial ischemia, according to scientific evidence. Free radical scavenging, inflammation control, mitochondrial function regulation, and related signalling pathways are all thought to play a role in tilianin’s cardioprotective actions. Finally, we discuss tilianin-derived compounds, as well as the limitations and opportunities of using tilianin as a lead molecule in drug development for CVDs. Overall, the scientific evidence presented in this review supports that tilianin and its derivatives could be used as a lead molecule in CVD drug development initiatives.

UPLC-PDA-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS and GC-MS analysis of Iranian Dracocephalum moldavica L

Dracocephalum moldavica L. is a significant component in the Iranian food basket. This study aimed to investigate the bioactive compounds and biological activities of different extracts obtained from D. moldavica aerial parts. From the aerial parts, a crude methanolic (MeOH) extract and its four sub-fractions, that is, petroleum ether (Pet), ethyl acetate (EtOAc), n-butanol (n-BuOH), and aqueous (water) extracts were obtained. The total phenolic and flavonoid contents as well as the antioxidant and cytotoxic activities of the extracts were determined. Moreover, the phytochemical profiles of the essential oil (EO) and of those extracts with the highest antioxidant activity measured by GC/MS and UPLC-PDA-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS. Results showed that the highest concentrations of phenols and flavonoids as well as the most potent antioxidant potential according to the DPPH method were determined in the EtOAc and MeOH extracts with IC50 values of 22.0 and 34.4 µg.ml-1, respectively. Quantitative analysis of these extracts was subsequently performed by UPLC-PDA-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS. Both extracts contained mainly rosmarinic acid, caffeic acid, and 2-hydroxycinnamic acid, which may be responsible for their high antioxidant activity. Moreover, none of the extracts showed cytotoxic effects against MCF7, SW48, and a normal cell line of mouse embryonic fibroblast cells (NIH/3T3) in the tested concentrations (up to 400 μg.ml-1). Additionally, GC-MS analysis showed that oxygenated monoterpenes (55.4%) were the main constituents of the EO of D. moldavica.

Rapid quantification of active pharmaceutical ingredient for sugar-free Yangwei granules in commercial production using FT-NIR spectroscopy based on machine learning techniques

Rapid quantification methods for sugar-free Yangwei granules were developed based on near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy combined with machine learning approaches as a quality control strategy for Chinese medicine granules (CMGs). Different machine learning approaches-i.e., interval partial least squares optimized by the genetic algorithm (GA-iPLS), the backpropagation artificial neural network (BP-ANN), and the particle swarm optimization-support vector machine (PSO-SVM)-were used to develop prediction models for three active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), namely, albiflorin, paeoniflorin, and benzoylpaeoniflorin. The partial least squares (PLS) algorithm was used for linear model calibration and comparison of the prediction performance of these developed models. The performance of the final models was assessed by the correlation coefficient (R), root mean square error of calibration set (RMSEC), and root mean square error of prediction set (RMSEP). All models performed well in model fitting and provided satisfactory prediction accuracy. The results indicate that the machine learning approaches are more stable, predictable, and suitable for CMGs when a high-accuracy analysis is required. In summary, NIR spectroscopy coupled with machine learning techniques is a suitable tool for the straightforward quantification of CMGs.

Total flavones of Dracocephalum moldavica L. protect astrocytes against H2O2-induced apoptosis through a mitochondria-dependent pathway

BACKGROUND

The active components of Dracocephalum moldavica L. (TFDM) can inhibit myocardial ischemia by inhibiting oxidative stress. However, the effects of TFDM on astrocytes have not been investigated in vitro. The current study aimed to explore whether TFDM protects astrocytes against H₂O₂-induced apoptosis through a mitochondria-dependent pathway.

METHODS

The human glioma cell line U87 was used to investigate the ability of TFDM to protect astrocytes against H₂O₂-induced apoptosis. The cell counting kit-8 assay and flow cytometry were used to detect cell viability, apoptosis, MMP, Ca²⁺ influx and reactive oxygen species (ROS). Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and malonic dialdehyde (MDA) levels were measured by ELISA. In addition, protein and mRNA expression changes were detected by Western blotting and qRT-PCR.

RESULTS

TFDM (0.78~200 μg/ml) had limited cytotoxic effects on the viability of U87 cells. Compared with the model group (treated with H2O2 only), cells treated with medium- and high-dose TFDM exhibited reduced MDA concentrations (P < 0.05) and ROS production (P < 0.05) and decreased MMP (P < 0.05) and reduced apoptosis (P < 0.05). The percentage of annexin V-FITC-stained cells was markedly suppressed by TFDM, confirming its anti-apoptotic properties. WB results showed that protein expression of Bcl-2-associated X protein (BAX), Caspase-3, Caspase-9, Caspase-12, and B-cell leukemia/lymphoma 2 (Bcl2) was reduced in the TFDM group compared with that in the model group (P < 0.05) and that expression of these proteins was normalized by TFDM treatment in a dose-dependent manner. According to RT-qPCR results, TFDM pretreatment resulted in reduced mRNA expression of BAX, Caspase-9, Caspase-12, p38MAPK, and CaMKII and increased mRNA expression of mTOR compared with the model group.

CONCLUSIONS

The current study revealed the protective effects of TFDM on U87 cells under oxidative stress conditions through the inhibition of a mitochondria-dependent pathway that is associated with the CaMKII/P38MAPK/ERK1/2 and PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathways.

Cardioprotection of tilianin ameliorates myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury: Role of the apoptotic signaling pathway

Our previous research demonstrated that tilianin protects the myocardium in a myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury (MIRI) rat model and has prominent pharmacological potential as a cardiovascular drug. Our study aimed to investigate the molecular signaling implicated in the improvement of myocardial survival induced by tilianin, a flavonoid antioxidant. Tilianin (2.5, 5, and 10 mg/kg/d) or saline was orally administered to rats for 14 days. On the 15th day, ischemia was induced by ligating the left anterior descending artery for 45 min, followed by 4 h of reperfusion. The levels of MIRI-induced serum myocardial enzymes and cardiomyocyte apoptosis as well as infarct size were examined to assess the cardioprotective effects. Cardiac tissues were collected for western blot analyses to determine the protein expression of anti-apoptotic signaling molecules. In MIRI-treated rats, our results revealed that pre-administration of high dose-tilianin the reduced release of LDH, MDA, and CK-MB and increased the plasma SOD level, and significantly attenuated the infarct size. Western blot analysis showed that a remarkable rise in expression of Bcl-2 and XIAP, and decline in expression of Bax, Smac/Diablo, HtrA2/Omi, cleaved caspase-3, caspase-7 and caspase-9 was observed in the myocardium. The apoptosis index of cardiomyocytes further supports the cardioprotective effect of tilianin. Additionally, compared with the MIRI model group, pretreatment with high dose-tilianin group upregulated phosphorylated Akt and PI3K. In contrast, using the PI3K inhibitor LY294002 to block Akt activation effectively inhibited the protective effects of tilianin against MIRI. Tilianin pretreatment was beneficial for activating the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway and inhibiting myocardial apoptosis.

Systematic Evaluation of Chromatographic Parameters for Isoquinoline Alkaloids on XB-C18 Core-Shell Column Using Different Mobile Phase Compositions

Chelidonium majus L. is a rich source of isoquinoline alkaloids with confirmed anti-inflammatory, choleretic, spasmolytic, antitumor, and antimicrobial activities. However, their chromatographic analysis is difficult because they may exist both in charged and uncharged forms and may result in the irregular peak shape and the decrease in chromatographic system efficacy. In the present work, the separation of main C. majus alkaloids was optimized using a new-generation XB-C18 endcapped core-shell column dedicated for analysis of alkaline compounds. The influence of organic modifier concentration, addition of salts, and pH of eluents on chromatographic parameters such as retention, resolution, chromatographic plate numbers, and peak asymmetry was investigated. The results were applied to elaborate the optimal chromatographic system for simultaneous quantification of seven alkaloids from the root, herb, and fruit of C. majus.

Constituents of Cryptotaenia japonica Inhibit Melanogenesis via CREB- and MAPK-Associated Signaling Pathways in Murine B16 Melanoma Cells

Melanin plays an important role in protecting the skin against ultraviolet light and is responsible for skin color. However, overproduction of melanin is related to several skin disorders, such as age spots, freckles, café au lait spots, Becker’s nevus and other hyperpigmentation syndromes. The aim of this study was to identify the effects of kaempferol-7-O-β-d-glucuronide (K7G) and tilianin, isolated from Cryptotaenia japonica, on melanogenesis and their mechanisms of action in murine B16 melanoma cells. The α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH)-induced melanin production was significantly inhibited by K7G and tilianin in a dose-dependent manner. The effects of these compounds on the signaling pathway of melanogenesis were examined. K7G and tilianin downregulated the expression of microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) and melanocyte-specific enzymes, i.e., tyrosinase and TRP1. These compounds also inhibited the phosphorylation of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)-response element binding protein (CREB) in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, these compounds increased the phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) but decreased the phosphorylation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) in B16 cells. Based on the above results, the anti-melanogenic effects of these compounds are caused by suppression of the MAPK signaling pathway through the down-regulation of α-MSH-induced CREB accumulation. This finding suggests that K7G and tilianin may be good candidates for further research to develop therapeutic agents for hyperpigmentation diseases.