HPLC-MS/MS-Mediated Analysis of the Pharmacokinetics, Bioavailability, and Tissue Distribution of Schisandrol B in Rats

An analysis of the nutritional effects of Schisandra chinensis components based on mass spectrometry technology

OBJECTIVE

Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.) Baill. (S. chinensis) is a Traditional Chinese medicinal herb that can be used both for medicinal purposes and as a food ingredient due to its beneficial properties, and it is enriched with a wide of natural plant nutrients, including flavonoids, phenolic acids, anthocyanins, lignans, triterpenes, organic acids, and sugars. At present, there is lack of comprehensive study or systemic characterization of nutritional and active ingredients of S. chinensis using innovative mass spectrometry techniques.

METHODS

The comprehensive review was conducted by searching the PubMed databases for relevant literature of various mass spectrometry techniques employed in the analysis of nutritional components in S. chinensis, as well as their main nutritional effects. The literature search covered the past 5 years until March 15, 2023.

RESULTS

The potential nutritional effects of S. chinensis are discussed, including its ability to enhance immunity, function as an antioxidant, anti-allergen, antidepressant, and anti-anxiety agent, as well as its ability to act as a sedative-hypnotic and improve memory, cognitive function, and metabolic imbalances. Meanwhile, the use of advanced mass spectrometry detection technologies have the potential to enable the discovery of new nutritional components of S. chinensis, and to verify the effects of different extraction methods on these components. The contents of anthocyanins, lignans, organic acids, and polysaccharides, the main nutritional components in S. chinensis, are also closely associated to its quality.

CONCLUSION

This review will provide guidelines for an in-depth study on the nutritional value of S. chinensis and for the development of healthy food products with effective components.

Pharmacokinetics and Main Metabolites of Anwulignan in Mice

Anwulignan is a representative component of Chinese traditional medicine Schisandra sphenanthera, with strong pharmacological activities. However, there are few reports on its pharmacokinetics and metabolites in the body. In this study, a metabolomic method based on UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap-MS was used to study the pharmacokinetics of anwulignan in the blood, organs, urine, and feces samples of mice after the intragastric administration of anwulignan (10 mg/kg). The pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated, and the distribution characteristics and main metabolites of anwulignan in the body of mice were analyzed. The results showed that the retention time of anwulignan in the body of mice was longer (t_1/2 = 7.1 h), and anwulignan was widely distributed in the body (V_z/F = 32.81 L/kg), especially in the liver. The order of anwulignan concentration in the tissues of mice from high to low was the liver > heart > brain > kidney > lung > spleen. Anwulignan was mainly excreted through the digestive tract in the form of its prototype and metabolites, indicating that it might experience an enterohepatic circulation. A total of seven metabolites were identified, and the demethylation, hydroxylation, dehydroxylation, and demethoxylation were considered to be the main metabolic ways of anwulignan in the body of mice.

Antioxidant Effects of Schisandra chinensis Fruits and Their Active Constituents

Schisandra chinensis Turcz. (Baill.) fruits, their extracts, and bioactive compounds are used in alternative medicine as adaptogens and ergogens protecting against numerous neurological, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, liver, and skin disorders. S. chinensis fruit extracts and their active compounds are potent antioxidants and mitoprotectors exerting anti-inflammatory, antiviral, anticancer, and anti-aging effects. S. chinensis polyphenolic compounds-flavonoids, phenolic acids and the major constituents dibenzocyclooctadiene lignans are responsible for the S. chinensis antioxidant activities. This review will focus on the direct and indirect antioxidant effects of S. chinensis fruit extract and its bioactive compounds in the cells during normal and pathological conditions.