A Simple and Rapid LC-MS/MS Method for Quantification of Total Daidzein, Genistein, and Equol in Human Urine

Efficacy of quercetin-like compounds from the mistletoe plant of Dendrophthoe pentandra L. Miq, as oral random blood sugar lowering treatment in diabetic rats

Background: Mistletoe is an herb that grows on duku plants (Lancium demosticum) and is known as benalu duku (BD) in Indonesia. It is predicted to have benefits such as anticancer or antiviral properties, and it is also thought to have anti-diabetic pharmacological activity. Quercetin-like compounds (QLCs) are secondary metabolites with antidiabetic activity that are expected to lower blood sugar levels in animals after oral administration.

Objective: This study aimed to analyze the ability of QLCs to reduce random blood sugar levels using experimental animals as clinical models.

Material and methods: The research method used was exploratory, which used a before-after test model, and observations were made on the random blood sugar levels after treatment. Secondary metabolites were extracted from BD leaves, which were then screened. Diabetes was induced in 30 rats (Rattus norvegicus) by the administration of streptozotocin at 0.045 mg/g body weight daily for 2 days. The antidiabetic effects of the secondary metabolite at doses of 0.5 mg/kg body weight (twice a day) when administered orally for up to 5 days were tested in diabetic rats. The random sugar levels (mg/dL) were measured using a One Touch Ultra Plus medical device for observation of randomized blood sugar levels. Results and novelty: The results revealed that the secondary metabolite, as an analyte from the BD leaf extract, can significantly reduce random blood sugar levels.

Conclusion: The secondary metabolite extracted from BD, could be used to treat diabetes in rats.

Investigating the involvement of the NLRP3/ASC/caspase-1 and NF-κb/MAPK pathways in the pathogenesis of gouty arthritis: Insights from irradiated and non-irradiated Trifolium alexandrium L. extracts and some metabolites

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Trifolium alexandrinum L. (TA), has traditionally been used in folk medicine for its anti-inflammatory properties against hyperuricemia and gout. However, the specific mechanisms of action of TA have not been thoroughly studied.

AIM OF THE WORK

This study aimed to evaluate the protective effects of irradiated (TR25) and non-irradiated (TR0) Trifolium alexandrinum L. aqueous extract (TAAE), along with two isolated compounds, caffeine (CAF) and saponin (SAP), in a rat model of acute gouty arthritis (GA).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The GA model was established by injecting a monosodium urate (MSU) suspension into the knee joint. Synovial tissue pathology was assessed, and levels of TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, NF-κB, mTOR, AKT1, PI3K, NLRP3, and ASC were measured by ELISA. mRNA expression of ERK1, JNK, and p-38 MAPK was detected using qRT-PCR, and Caspase-1 protein expression was assessed by immunohistochemical analysis. Knee swelling, uric acid levels, liver and kidney function, and oxidative stress markers were also evaluated.

RESULTS

TAAE analysis identified 170 compounds, with 73 successfully identified using LC-HR-MS/MS, including caffeine citrate and theasapogenol B glycoside as the main constituents. The studied materials demonstrated significant protective effects against GA. TR25 administration significantly mitigated knee joint circumference compared to other treatments. It demonstrated potential in alleviating hyperuricemia, renal and hepatic impairments induced by MSU crystals. TR25 also alleviated oxidative stress and reduced levels of IL1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and NF-κB. Weak Caspase-1 immune-positive staining was observed in the TR25 group. TR25 decreased NLRP3 and ASC expression, reducing inflammatory cytokine levels in GA. It effectively inhibited the PI3K, AKT, and mTOR signaling pathways, promoting autophagy. Additionally, TR25 suppressed ERK1, JNK, and p-38 MAPK gene expression in synovial tissue. These effects were attributed to various components in TAAE, such as flavonoids, phenolic acids, tannins, alkaloids, and triterpenes.

CONCLUSION

Importantly, irradiation (25 KGy) enhanced the antioxidant effects and phtchemical contents of TAAE. Additionally, TR0, TR25, CAF, and SAP exhibited promising protective effects against GA, suggesting their therapeutic potential for managing this condition. These effects were likely mediated through modulation of the NLRP3/ASC/Caspase-1 and ERK/JNK/p-38 MAPK signaling pathways, as well as regulation of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway. Further research is warranted to fully elucidate the underlying mechanisms and optimize their clinical applications.

LC-MS based strategy for chemical profiling and quantification of dispensing granules of Ginkgo biloba seeds

Ginkgo biloba seeds have been used as a traditional Chinese medicine for hundreds of years to treat diseases such as cervicitis, cough, asthma and other lung diseases. As a novel form, the dispensing granules (GSDG) of Ginkgo biloba seeds have been widely employed in clinic. However, its chemical profiling is not yet clear, which has restricted in-depth research in many fields. In this study, a high performance liquid chromatography coupled with quardrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry method was used for the component characteration with the help of accurate molecular weights, fragmentation pathways, reported data, literatures and even some reference standards. Furthermore, in multiple-reaction monitoring mode, a high performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole linear ion trap mass spectrometry method was developed and applied for simultaneous determination of the bioactive phytochemicals. As a result, a total of 56 components in GSDG were identified including 12 amino acids, 9 organic acids, 6 nucleosides and nucleobases, 6 flavonoids, 5 vitamins, 5 terpenoid lactones, 4 carbohydrates and 9 other compounds As for quantitative analysis, glutamic acid, asparatic acid, histidine, ginkgolide A, ginkgolide B, ginkgolide C, ginkgolide J, eucomic acid, N-(N-glucopyranosyl)-indoleacetylaspartate and N-(N-glucopyranosyl)-indoleacetylglutamate were selected as the analytes for quanlity marker of GSDG. After necessary validation tests, the developed quantitative method was successfully put into use for 10 batches of GSDG. In all batches, N-(N-glucopyranosyl)-indoleacetylaspartate was the richest phytochemical with the amount of 17.3-25.7 mg/g while ginkgolide J (0.0197-0.0335 mg/g) was determined to be the poorest. The study is supposed to exhibit a comprehensive chemical profiling and to provide some strong basis for preparation technology, quality control and even for action mechanism of GSDG, this novel form of Chinese medicine.

Urinary Equol and Equol-Predicting Microbial Genera Are Favorably Associated with Body Fat Measures among Chinese Adults

BACKGROUND

Many studies have investigated the intake of dietary isoflavones in relation to obesity risk, whereas the association using objective biomarkers of isoflavones, particularly equol (a gut-derived metabolite of daidzein with greater bioavailability than other isoflavones) has been less studied. In addition, the associations between equol and gut microbiota profile at the population level remain to be fully characterized.

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to identify equol-predicting microbial species and to investigate the associations of equol-predicting microbial species and urinary excretion of isoflavones including glycitein, genistein, daidzein, and equol with diverse obesity markers in free living-individuals.

METHODS

In this 1-y longitudinal study of 754 community-dwelling adults, urinary isoflavones, fecal microbiota, height, weight, and circumferences of waist and hip were measured at baseline and again after 1 y. Liver fat [indicated by the controlled attenuation parameter (CAP)] and other body composition were also measured after 1 y. Linear models and linear mixed-effects models were used to analyze the associations for single measure and repeated measures, respectively.

RESULTS

Among 305 participants (median age: 50 y, IQR, 37-59 y) including 138 males and 167 females, higher urinary excretion of equol was associated with lower CAP (β = -0.013, P < 0.001) and body fat mass (β= -0.014, P = 0.046). No association was found between any other urinary isoflavones and obesity markers (all P > 0.05). We identified 21 bacterial genera whose relative abundance were positively associated with urinary equol concentrations (all Pfalsediscovery rate < 0.05), and constructed an equol-predicting microbial score to reflect the overall equol-producing potential of host gut microbiota. This score was inversely associated with CAP (β = -0.040, P = 0.011).

CONCLUSIONS

High urinary equol concentrations and equol-predicting microbial species could be favorably associated with liver fat and other obesity markers.

Revealing the potential bioactive components and mechanism of Qianhua Gout Capsules in the treatment of gouty arthritis through network pharmacology, molecular docking and pharmacodynamic study strategies

Recent clinical studies have confirmed the effectiveness of Qianhua Gout Capsules (QGC) in the treatment of gouty arthritis (GA). However, the specific regulatory targets and mechanisms of action of QGC are still unclear. To address this gap, we utilized network pharmacology, molecular docking, and pharmacodynamic approaches to investigate the bioactive components and associated mechanisms of QGC in the treatment of GA. By employing UPLC-Q Exactive-MS, we identified the compounds present in QGC, with active ingredients defined as those with oral bioavailability ≥30 % and drug similarity ≥0.18. Subsequently, the targets of these active compounds were determined using the TCMSP database, while GA-related targets were identified from DisGeNET, GeneCards, TTD, OMIM, and DrugBank databases. Further analysis including PPI analysis, GO analysis, and KEGG pathway enrichment was conducted on the targets. Validation of the predicted results was performed using a GA rat model, evaluating pathological changes, inflammatory markers, and pathway protein expression. Our results revealed a total of 130 components, 44 active components, 16 potential shared targets, GO-enriched terms, and 47 signaling pathways related to disease targets. Key active ingredients included quercetin, kaempferol, β-sitosterol, luteolin, and wogonin. The PPI analysis highlighted five targets (PPARG, IL-6, MMP-9, IL-1β, CXCL-8) with the highest connectivity, predominantly enriched in the IL-17 signaling pathway. Molecular docking experiments demonstrated strong binding of CXCL8, IL-1β, IL-6, MMP9, and PPARG targets with the top five active compounds. Furthermore, animal experiments confirmed the efficacy of QGC in treating GA in rats, showing reductions in TNF-α, IL-6, and MDA levels, and increases in SOD levels in serum. In synovial tissues, QGC treatment upregulated CXCL8 and PPARG expression, while downregulating IL-1β, MMP9, and IL-6 expression. In conclusion, this study applied a network pharmacology approach to uncover the composition of QGC, predict its pharmacological interactions, and demonstrate its in vivo efficacy, providing insights into the anti-GA mechanisms of QGC. These findings pave the way for future investigations into the therapeutic mechanisms underlying QGC's effectiveness in the treatment of GA.

A UPLC-MS/MS Based Rapid, Sensitive, and Non-Enzymatic Methodology for Quantitation of Dietary Isoflavones in Biological Fluids

Dietary isoflavones, a type of phytoestrogens, have gained importance owing to their health-promoting benefits. However, the beneficial effects of isoflavones are mediated by smaller metabolites produced with the help of gut bacteria that are known to metabolize these phytoestrogenic compounds into Daidzein and Genistein and biologically active molecules such as S-Equol. Identifying and measuring these phytoestrogens and their metabolites is an important step towards understanding the significance of diet and gut microbiota in human health and diseases. We have overcome the reported difficulties in quantitation of these isoflavones and developed a simplified, sensitive, non-enzymatic, and sulfatases-free extraction methodology. We have subsequently used this method to quantify these metabolites in the urine of mice using UPLC-MS/MS. The extraction and quantitation method was validated for precision, linearity, accuracy, recoveries, limit of detection (LOD), and limit of quantification (LOQ). Linear calibration curves for Daidzein, Genistein, and S-Equol were set up by performing linear regression analysis and checked using the correlation coefficient (r2 > 0.995). LOQs for Daidzein, Genistein, and S-Equol were 2, 4, and 2 ng/mL, respectively. This UPLC-MS/MS swift method is suitable for quantifying isoflavones and the microbial-derived metabolite S-Equol in mice urine and is particularly useful for large numbers of samples.

N-doped carbon dots coupled with molecularly imprinted polymers as a fluorescent sensor for ultrasensitive detection of genistein in soya products

Rapid detection of genistein in soya products has remained difficult. Current methods necessitate sample handling and use of costly instruments. Here, using a simple one-pot reverse microemulsion method, a sensor based on N-doped carbon dots conjugated molecularly imprinted polymers (N-CDs@MIPs) was synthesized to analyze genistein. N-doped carbon dots were used as fluorescent component, genistein as the template molecule, and molecularly imprinted polymers as the selective sorbent in this fluorescence sensor. The sensor was then examined and optical studies demonstrated that N-CDs@MIPs not only had strong fluorescence emission and outstanding optical stability, but also had good sensitivity (detection limit 35.7 nM) and selectivity to genistein. Furthermore, the N-CDs@MIPs materials were used to analyze genistein in soya products, and the findings (which ranged from 99.77% to 106.11%) show that the N-CDs@MIPs has high potential for quickly detecting the amount of genistein in complicated food samples.

Synthesis and characterization of genistein magnetic molecularly imprinted polymers and their application in soy sauce products

In this study, a novel method based on genistein magnetic molecularly imprinted polymers (Gen-MMIPs) was developed utilizing a surface molecular imprinting technique, in which genistein was used as the template molecule and Fe₃O₄ was used as the carrier. The synthesis of Gen-MMIPs was characterized by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), which indicated that the diameter of the Gen-MMIPs was approximately 500 nm. Via analysis with a vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), the saturation magnetization of Gen-MMIPs was determined to be 24.79 emu g⁻¹. Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy showed that polymer groups were on the surface of the magnetic carrier. Adsorption experiments suggested that the genistein adsorption capability of Gen-MMIPs was 5.81 mg g⁻¹, and adsorption equilibrium was achieved within 20 min. Gen-MMIPs as dispersive solid-phase extraction (dSPE) adsorbents combined with HPLC were used to selectively separate genistein in soy sauce samples, and the recoveries ranged from 85.7 to 88.5% with relative standard deviations (RSDs) less than 5%, which proved that this method can be used for the detection of genistein residues in real samples.

Effects of Pasture Type on Metabolism, Liver and Kidney Function, Antioxidant Status, and Plant Secondary Compounds in Plasma of Grazing, Jersey Dairy Cattle During Mid-lactation

Some pasture species are rich in phytochemicals, able to improve milk yield and quality and to reduce the environmental impacts of livestock farming. The phytochemicals interact with the different gene networks within the animal, such as nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2), but their overall impact on animal health remains to be fully understood. The objective of this study was to identify the effects of pasture Legumes and non-leguminous Forbs containing high bioactive compounds on metabolism and activity of the liver, antioxidant response, kidney function, and inflammation of dairy cows using a large array of blood parameters associated with metabolism and the innate immune system. For this purpose, 26 parameters and the concentration of certain bioactive compounds were assessed in blood plasma, collected from the Jersey cows grazing either Grass, Legume, or Forb-based pastures. In addition, serum collected from all the cows was utilized to detect the changes in NRF2 activation in bovine mammary alveolar cells (MACT) and hepatocytes. Compared with Grass, the cows that grazed both Forb and Legume pastures had lower β-hydroxybutyric acid (BHB) and creatinine and larger vitamin E and the ferric reducing ability of the plasma, supporting an improved antioxidative status for these animals. Compared with both Grass and Legume, the cows that graze Forb pasture had lower urea and urea to creatinine ratio, and lower creatinine, indicating a better kidney function. The cows grazing Legume pasture had greater hematocrit, bilirubin, cholesterol, albumin, β-carotene, retinol, and thiol groups but lower ceruloplasmin, paraoxonase, and myeloperoxidase (MPO) than those grazed Grass and Forb pastures, indicating a positive effect of Legume pasture on the liver, oxidative stress, and red blood cells. The plasma of cows in the various pastures was enriched with various isoflavonoids, especially the cows grazed on Forb and Legume pastures, which likely contributed to improving the antioxidative status of those cows. However, this effect was likely not due to the higher activation of NRF2. Overall, these results indicate that Forb and Legume pastures rich in secondary metabolites do not strongly affect the metabolism but can improve the status of the liver and the kidney and improve the efficiency of N utilization and antioxidant response, compared with the Grass pasture.

A rapid ultra high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method for the quantification of daidzein, its valine carbamate prodrug, and glucuronide in rat plasma samples: Comparison of the pharmacokinetic behavior of daidzine valine carbamate prodrugs

Two valine carbamate prodrugs of daidzein were designed to improve its bioavailability. To compare the pharmacokinetic behavior of these prodrugs with different protected phenolic hydroxyl groups of daidzein, a rapid and sensitive method for simultaneous quantification of daidzein, its valine carbamate prodrug, and daidzein-7-O-glucuronide in rat plasma was developed and validated in this study. The samples were processed using a fast one-step protein precipitation method with methanol added to 50 μL of plasma and were analyzed by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry. To improve the selectivity, peak shape, and peak elution, several key factors, especially stationary phase and the composition of the mobile phase, were tested, and the analysis was performed using the Kinetex^® C18 column (100 × 2.1 mm, 2.6 μm) within only 2.6 min under optimal conditions. The established method exhibited good linearity over the concentration range of 2.0-1000 ng/mL for daidzein, and 8.0-4000 ng/mL for the prodrug and daidzein-7-O-glucuronide. The accuracy of the quality control samples was between 95.5 and 110.2% with satisfactory intra- and interday precision (relative standard deviation values < 10.85%), respectively. This sensitive, rapid, low-cost, and high-throughput method was successfully applied to compare the pharmacokinetic behavior of different daidzein carbamate prodrugs.

Metabolomics Technologies for the Identification and Quantification of Dietary Phenolic Compound Metabolites: An Overview

In the search for natural products with properties that may protect against or slow down chronic and degenerative diseases (e.g., cancer, and cardiovascular and neurodegenerative conditions), phenolic compounds (PC) with benefits for human health have been identified. The biological effects of PC in vivo depend on their bioavailability, intestinal absorption, metabolism, and interaction with target tissues. The identification of phenolic compounds metabolites (PCM), in biological samples, after food ingestion rich in PC is a first step to understand the overall effect on human health. However, their wide range of physicochemical properties, levels of abundance, and lack of reference standards, renders its identification and quantification a challenging task for existing analytical platforms. The most frequent approaches to metabolomics analysis combine mass spectrometry and NMR, parallel technologies that provide an overview of the metabolome and high-power compound elucidation. In this scenario, the aim of this review is to summarize the pre-analytical separation processes for plasma and urine samples and the technologies applied in quantitative and qualitative analysis of PCM. Additionally, a comparison of targeted and non-targeted approaches is presented, not available in previous reviews, which may be useful for future metabolomics studies of PCM.

Ischemic-time associated reductions in equol monosulfate plasma levels in a mouse model of ischemic stroke: support the existence of a 'brain-gut axis'

BACKGROUND

Interest is growing in the role played by intestinal flora in the pathogeneses of diseases and in the possibility of treating disease by altering intestinal flora compositions. Recent studies have focused on the relationship between the intestinal microbiome and brain function as proposed by the brain-gut axis hypothesis.

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the relation between ischemic stroke and plasma equol monosulfate levels (a soy isoflavone metabolite) in a middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) mouse model.

METHODS

Mice (C57BL/6) were subjected to MCAO for various times (30 min to 24 h), and degrees of cerebral damage were assessed using total infarction volumes, brain edema severities and neurological deficit scores. Hematoxylin and eosin and cresyl violet staining were used to observe morphological changes in ischemic brains. Levels of equol monosulfate in plasma and the relationships between these and degree of brain injury were investigated.

RESULTS

Infarction volumes, brain edema severity and neurological deficit scores were significantly correlated with ischemic time, and morphological deteriorations of brain neuronal cells also increased with ischemic duration. Equol monosulfate contents were ischemic-time dependently lower in MCAO treated animals than in sham-operated controls.

CONCLUSION

Ischemic stroke may time-dependently reduce plasma levels of equol monosulfate by lowering the metabolic rate of equol in MCAO-induced mice. This study provides indirect support of the brain-gut axis hypothesis.