Simultaneous qualitation and quantification of thirteen bioactive compounds in Flos lonicerae by high-performance liquid chromatography with diode array detector and mass spectrometry

Light plays a critical role in the accumulation of chlorogenic acid in Lonicera macranthoides Hand.-Mazz

Light has important effects on plant metabolism. However, the relationship between the chlorogenic acid (CGA) content and light in plants remains unclear. Here, we investigated the effects of shading treatment on gene expression and CGA content in Lonicera macranthoides Hand.-Mazz. (LM), a widely used medicinal plant. A total of 1891 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were obtained in flower buds and 819 in leaves in response to light in shading treatment compared to the control sample by RNA-Seq. After shading treatment, the content of CGA in LM leaves decreased significantly by 1.78-fold, the carotenoid content increased, and the soluble sugar and starch contents significantly decreased. WGCNA and the expression of related genes verified by qRT‒PCR revealed that CGA synthesis pathway enzyme genes form a co-expression network with genes for carbohydrate synthesis, photosynthesis, light signalling elements, and transcription factor genes (TFs) that affect the accumulation of CGA. Through a virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) system and CGA assay in Nicotiana benthamiana (NB), we determined that downregulation of NbHY5 expression decreased the CGA content in NB leaves. In this study, we found that light provides energy and material for the accumulation of CGA in LM, and light affects the expression of CGA accumulation-related genes. Our results show that different light intensities have multiple effects on leaves and flower buds in LM and are able to coregulate LmHY5 expression and CGA synthesis.

Online Microextraction Coupled with HPLC-ABTS for Rapid Analysis of Antioxidants from the Root of Polygonum bistorta

The root of Polygonum bistorta (PB) is a traditional Chinese medicinal plant material widely used in China. It has been commonly used for the treatment of hemostasis, detumescence, diarrhea, snake bite, and acute gastroenteritis. However, the research on the antioxidant properties and bioactive compounds from PB is inadequate. In the current research, an online microextraction (OLME) coupled with a high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with the 2,2-nitrogen-di (3-ethyl-benzothiazole-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt antioxidant assay (HPLC-ABTS) system for rapid analysis of antioxidants from PB was proposed. The PB sample (0.17 mg) was online extracted by mobile phase (acetonitrile and 0.2% acetic acid); a Poroshell 120 SB-Aq column was used for separation; then, an online ABTS assay system was used for screening the antioxidants. Finally, ten components were found in PB, and among them, eight components possessed antioxidant activities. Furthermore, five components (gallic acid, neochlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid, and an unknown compound) were proved as major antioxidants when compared with rutin as an antioxidant marker. The results showed that the developed OLME-HPLC-ABTS system was a simple, rapid, green, and efficient instrument for the screening of antioxidants from PB, which provides a powerful tool for the discovery of natural antioxidants in Chinese medicines.

Anti-Phototoxicity Effect of Phenolic Compounds from Acetone Extract of Entada phaseoloides Leaves via Activation of COX-2 and iNOS in Human Epidermal Keratinocytes

The extract from Entada phaseoloides was employed as active ingredients of natural origin into cosmetic products, while the components analysis was barely reported. Using LC-DAD-MS/qTOF analysis, eleven compounds (1–11) were proposed or identified from acetone extract of E. phaseoloides leaves (AE). Among them, six phenolic compounds, protocatechuic acid (2), 4-hydroxybenzoic acid (3), luteolin-7-O-β-d-glucoside (5), cirsimaritin (6), dihydrokaempferol (9), and apigenin (10), were isolated by various chromatographic techniques. Protocatechuic acid (2), epicatechin (4), and kaempferol (11) at a concentration 100 μM increased the HaCaT cells viability of the UVB-irradiated cell without any cytotoxicity effect and reduced the expression of COX-2 and iNOS inflammation gene. Moreover, compounds 2 and 4 could have potent effects on cell migration during wound closure. These results suggest that compounds 2, 4, and 11 from AE have anti-photoaging properties and could be employed in pharmaceutical and cosmeceutical products.

Flos lonicerae flavonoids attenuate experimental ulcerative colitis in rats via suppression of NF-κB signaling pathway

This study sought to isolate active Flos lonicerae flavonoids and evaluate their anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory effects as well as investigate the molecular mechanistic action of these flavonoids in the rat model of ulcerative colitis (UC). Total flavonoids and three flavonoids (hyperoside, lonicerin, and luteolin) were isolated from honeysuckle and purified via column purification. Rat model of UC was established via 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS) intoxication. The anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory effects of the three flavonoids against TNBS-induced UC were evaluated by measuring appropriate biomarkers via assay kit. The effects of hyperoside, lonicerin, and luteolin on the regulation of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) pathway were investigated using Western blot (WB) and real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) while their protective effects on UC were also elucidated. Pretreatment with flavonoids (hyperoside, lonicerin, and luteolin at 25-100 mg/kg) and sulfasalazine (SSZ, positive control at 100 mg/kg) substantially attenuated TBNS-induced UC. Also, the flavonoids significantly reduced the levels of respective serum oxidative and proinflammatory markers such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), myeloperoxidase (MPO), malondialdehyde (MDA), prostaglandins E2 (PGE2), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-beta (IL-β), and C-reactive protein (CRP). In addition, the flavonoids remarkably inhibited the expression of NF-κB signaling pathway. F. lonicerae flavonoids (hyperoside, lonicerin, and luteolin) demonstrated potent anti-UC activities in TBNS-induced UC rat model via anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory effects through the inhibition of NF-κB signaling pathway.

Simultaneous Determination of Multiple Classes of Hydrophilic and Lipophilic Components in Shuang-Huang-Lian Oral Liquid Formulations by UPLC-Triple Quadrupole Linear Ion Trap Mass Spectrometry

The Shuang-Huang-Lian (SHL) oral liquid is a combined herbal prescription used in the treatment of acute upper respiratory tract infection, acute bronchitis and pneumonia. Multiple constituents are considered to be responsible for the therapeutic effects of SHL. However, the quantitation of the multi-components from multiple classes is still unsatisfactory because of the high complexity of constituents in SHL. In this study, an accurate, rapid, and specific UPLC-MS/MS method was established for simultaneous quantification of 18 compounds from multiple classes in SHL oral liquid formulations. Chromatographic separation was performed on a HSS T3 (1.8 μm, 2.1 mm × 100 mm) column, using a gradient mobile phase system of 0.1% formic acid in acetonitrile and 0.1% formic acid in water at a flow rate of 0.2 mL·min⁻¹; the run time was 23 min. The MS was operated in negative electrospray ionization (ESI⁻) for analysis of 18 compounds using multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode. UPLC-ESI⁻-MRM-MS/MS method showed good linear relationships (R² > 0.999), repeatability (RSD < 3%), precisions (RSD < 3%) and recovery (84.03–101.62%). The validated method was successfully used to determine multiple classes of hydrophilic and lipophilic components in the SHL oral liquids. Finally, principal component analysis (PCA) was used to classify and differentiate SHL oral liquid samples attributed to different manufacturers of China. The proposed UPLC-ESI⁻-MRM-MS/MS coupled with PCA has been elucidated to be a simple and reliable method for quality evaluation of SHL oral liquids.

Traditional Chinese Medicine Formula "Xiaofeng granules" suppressed gouty arthritis animal models and inhibited the proteoglycan degradation on chondrocytes induced by monosodium urate

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Xiaofeng Granules (XF) is a kind of granules prepared by the famous traditional Chinese medicine formula for its efficiency in treating gouty diseases.

AIM OF THE STUDY

We investigated the relevance between XF that made from Modified simiaowan (MSW) as the anti-gouty arthritis drugs and protective mechanisms for cartilage matrix in order to provide the evidence for new drug application.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In the present study, we evaluated the anti-gouty arthritis activity of XF in rats and rabbits models induced by MSU together with chondrocytes focusing on the link to proteoglycan degradation in vitro studies.

RESULTS

The results demonstrated that XF significantly reduced the swelling rate and attenuated the pathological changes in joints. The XF-containing serum were used medicated serum in cellular experiments. The in vitro data were in accordance with the in vivo results, showing that the constituents in XF-containing serum had obvious inhibitory effects on the activation of pro-inflammatory mediators in chondrocytes. Moreover, XF-containing serum substantially inhibited MSU-induced expression of glycosaminoglycans(GAG) and hydroxyproline(Hyp), and up regulated proteoglycan, which might be associated with the regulation of the balance of MMP-3/TIMP-1and ADAMTS-4/TIMP-3 inchondrocytes.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, XF that made from MSW showed obvious effects on acute gouty arthritis, which also provided an effective protection on cartilage matrix degradation.

Rapid quantitative analysis of adulterant Lonicera species in preparations of Lonicerae Japonicae Flos

Lonicerae Japonicae Flos is often adulterated with Lonicerae Flos, which is derived from the other four Lonicera species, in both the crude drug and Lonicerae Japonicae Flos preparations. We proposed a methodology for the quantitative analysis of adulterant Lonicerae Flos in Lonicerae Japonicae Flos preparations. Taking macranthoidins A, B, dipsacoside B (saponins), sweroside (iridoids), and luteolin-7-O-d-glucoside (flavonoids) as markers, a method of ultra high performance liquid chromatography with triple quadrupole mass spectrometry was employed to determine their amounts in Lonicerae Flos, Lonicerae Japonicae Flos, and Lonicerae Japonicae Flos preparations. The proportion of adulterant Lonicerae Flos in Lonicerae Japonicae Flos preparations was estimated based on the saponin contents of Lonicerae Japonicae Flos and Lonicerae Flos. All analytes separated under isocratic elution in 12 min with acceptable linearity, precision, repeatability, and accuracy. Lonicerae Japonicae Flos was easily distinguished from Lonicerae Flos by the total amount of saponins (0.067 and > 45.8 mg/g for Lonicerae Japonicae Flos and Lonicerae Flos, respectively). Eighteen of twenty one Lonicerae Japonicae Flos preparation samples were adulterated with Lonicerae Flos in proportions of 11.3-100%. The developed ultra high performance liquid chromatography with triple quadrupole mass spectrometry method could be used for the identification of Lonicerae Japonicae Flos and the four species of Lonicerae Flos and for the analysis of Lonicerae Japonicae Flos preparations adulterated with Lonicerae Flos.

A network pharmacology approach to determine active ingredients and rationality of herb combinations of Modified-Simiaowan for treatment of gout

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Modified Simiaowan (MSW) is a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula and is widely used as a clinically medication formula for its efficiency in treating gouty diseases.To predict the active ingredients in MSW and uncover the rationality of herb combinations of MSW.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Three drug-target networks including the "candidate ingredient-target network" (cI-cT) that links the candidate ingredients and targets, the "core ingredient-target-pathway network" connecting core potential ingredients and targets through related pathways, and the "rationality of herb combinations of MSW network", which was derived from the cI-cT network, were developed to dissect the active ingredients in MSW and relationship between ingredients in herb combinations and their targets for gouty diseases. On the other hand, herbal ingredients comparisons were also conducted based on six physicochemical properties to investigate whether the herbs in MSW are similar in chemicals. Moreover, HUVEC viability and expression levels of ICAM-1 induced by monosodium urate (MSU) crystals were assessed to determine the activities of potential ingredients in MSW.

RESULTS

Predicted by the core ingredient-target-pathway network, we collected 30 core ingredients in MSW and 25 inflammatory cytokines and uric acid synthetase or transporters, which are effective for gouty treatment through some related pathways. Experimental results also confirmed that those core ingredients could significantly increase HUVEC viability and attenuate the expression of ICAM-1, which supported the effectiveness of MSW in treating gouty diseases. Moreover, heat-clearing and dampness-eliminating herbs in MSW have similar physicochemical properties, which stimulate all the inflammatory and uric acid-lowing targets respectively, while the core drug and basic prescription in MSW stimulate the major and almost all the core targets, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Our work successfully predicts the active ingredients in MSW and explains the cooperation between these ingredients and corresponding targets through related pathways for gouty diseases, and provides basis for an alternative approach to investigate the rationality of herb combinations of MSW on the network pharmacology level, which might be beneficial to drug development and applications.

Qualitative and quantitative analysis of the major constituents in Chinese medical preparation Lianhua-Qingwen capsule by UPLC-DAD-QTOF-MS

Lianhua-Qingwen capsule (LQC) is a commonly used Chinese medical preparation to treat viral influenza and especially played a very important role in the fight against severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in 2002-2003 in China. In this paper, a rapid ultraperformance liquid chromatography coupled with diode-array detector and quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-DAD-QTOF-MS) method was established for qualitative and quantitative analysis of the major constituents of LQC. A total of 61 compounds including flavonoids, phenylpropanoids, anthraquinones, triterpenoids, iridoids, and other types of compounds were unambiguously or tentatively identified by comparing the retention times and accurate mass measurement with reference compounds or literature data. Among them, twelve representative compounds were further quantified as chemical markers in quantitative analysis, including salidroside, chlorogenic acid, forsythoside E, cryptochlorogenic acid, amygdalin, sweroside, hyperin, rutin, forsythoside A, phillyrin, rhein, and glycyrrhizic acid. The UPLC-DAD method was evaluated with linearity, limit of detection (LOD), limit of quantification (LOQ), precision, stability, repeatability, and recovery tests. The results showed that the developed quantitative method was linear, sensitive, and precise for the quality control of LQC.

Influence of sulfur fumigation on the chemical constituents and antioxidant activity of buds of Lonicera japonica

Lonicera japonica flos is widely used as a pharmaceutical resource and a commonly-employed ingredient in healthy food, soft beverages and cosmetics in China. Sometimes, sulfur fumigation is used during post-harvest handling. In this study, a comprehensive comparison of the chemical profile between sun-dried and sulfur-fumigated samples was conducted by HPLC fingerprints and simultaneous quantification of nine constituents, including secologanic acid, along with another eight usually-analyzed markers. Secologanic acid was destroyed, and its sulfonates were generated, whereas caffeoylquinic acids were protected from being oxidized. The residual sulfur dioxide in sulfur-fumigated samples was significantly higher than that in sun-dried samples, which might increase the potential incidence of toxicity to humans. Meanwhile, compared with sun-dried samples, sulfur-fumigated samples have significantly stronger antioxidant activity, which could be attributed to the joint effect of protected phenolic acids and flavonoids, as well as newly-generated iridoid sulfonates.

Anti-inflammatory and Antimicrobial Effects of Heat-Clearing Chinese Herbs: A Current Review

Inflammation is a normal immune response; but if the body's regulation of inflammation is dysfunctional, then it will have an adverse effect on the body. Although use of modern drugs for inflammation has a relieving effect, it is still unsatisfactory. Moreover, the emergence of drug-resistant strains and even new kinds of microorganisms is causing significant morbidity and mortality. Recently, more attention has been focused on herbal medicine to treat various diseases because of the ability of the herbs to affect multiple target signaling pathways and their multiple mechanisms of action. Thus, a large number of studies have reported on the anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects of the traditional Chinese herbs. Literature survey was performed by conducting systematic electronic search in PubMed, Science Direct, Google Scholar, and in books. This review has listed 11 heat-clearing Chinese herbs (HCCHs) including Scutellaria baicalensis ( Huáng Qín), Coptis chinensis ( Huáng Lián), Flos Lonicerae ( Jīn Yín Hūa), Forsythia suspensa ( Lián Qiào), Isatidis Folium ( Dà Qīn Yè), Radix Isatidis ( Bǎn Lán Gēn), Viola yedoensis ( Zǐ Huā Dì Dīn), Pulsatilla Radix ( Bái Tóu Wēn), Andrographis paniculata ( Chuān Xīn Lián), Houttuynia cordata ( Yú Xīng Cǎo), and Patrinia Herba ( Bài Jiàn Cǎo), which have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects, and has described their effects through different mechanisms of action and multiple targets. Their ability to affect multiple target signaling pathways and their potential mechanisms of action contributing to their anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activity may be related to their action of removing heat and counteracting toxicity. Further studies are needed on the collection of HCCHs to know the detailed mechanism of action of herbs in this group for the assessment of effective drug.

Simultaneous determination of 10 components in traditional Chinese medicine Dachaihu Granule by reversed-phase-high-performance liquid chromatographic-diode array detector

Background:

Dachaihu Granule, commonly used for treating cholecystitis, is derived from a famous traditional Chinese formula named Dachaihu Decoction. No analytical method has been reported for simultaneous determination of 10 bioactive compounds for quality control in Dachaihu Granule so far.

Objective:

To develop a high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method with diode array detector (DAD) for simultaneous determination of 10 bioactive compounds (paeoniflorin, aloe-emodin, rhein, emodin, chrysophanol, physcion, naringin, hesperidin, neohesperidin, and baicalin) in traditional Chinese medicine Dachaihu Granule.

Materials and Methods

The samples were separated on a Kromasil C₁₈ (250 × 4.6 mm,i.d. with 5.0 μm particle size)column with multi-wavelength detection method by a gradient elution using acetonitrile (A) and 0.2% acetic acid (B) as the mobile phase. The column temperature was maintained at 30°C and the detection wavelength was set at 230 nm for paeoniflorin, 254 nm for aloe-emodin, rhein, emodin, chrysophanol, and physcion, 280 nm for naringin, hesperidin, neohesperidin, and baicalin.

Results:

The developed method provided satisfactory precision and the accuracy of this method was in the range from 94.0% to 103.1%, all of the 10 compounds showed good linearity (r > 0.999) in a detected concentration range.

Conclusion:

The validated method was successfully applied to the simultaneously of these active components in Dachaihu Granule from different production batches.

Identification of the major metabolites of hyperoside produced by the human intestinal bacteria using the ultra performance liquid chromatography/quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), used in clinical practice for thousands of years, has been taken as a new way to tackle chronic diseases. In Chinese medicine, many ingredients which are known to have biological effects just pass through the gut, they do not get into the bloodstream. Study on interactions of these active ingredients with the intestinal bacteria is very helpful to unravel how TCM works.

AIM OF THE STUDY

Hyperoside is a major active constituent in many medicinal plants which are traditionally used in Chinese medicines for their neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative effects. It would be metabolized by intestinal bacteria after oral administration which leads to the variation of ethnopharmacological profile of these traditional medicines. Thus, it is necessary to investigate the metabolic routes and metabolites of hyperoside produced by human intestinal bacteria.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Ultra performance liquid chromatography/quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC/QTOF-MS) technique combined with Metabolynx(™) software was used for analysis of the metabolic profile of hyperoside by the isolated human intestinal bacteria from the human feces.

RESULTS

Parent compound and 6 metabolites (M1-M7) were detected in the isolated bacterial samples compared with blank samples. Quercetin, 3, 4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid and 3, 4-dihydroxyphenylbenzoic acid (M2-M4) were only found in the sample of Bacteroides sp. 45. Dehydroxylation of hyperoside and the conjugates: acetylation and hydroxylation of hyperoside (M5-M7) were identified in the majority of isolated intestinal bacterial samples.

CONCLUSIONS

Only Bacteroides sp. 45 could metabolize hyperoside to form its aglycone quercetin, thereafter, quercetin was further metabolized to 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid. Furthermore, the majority of bacteria could metabolize hyperoside to dehydroxylation of hyperoside and the conjugates: hydroxylation and acetylation of hyperoside. In this study, the metabolic routes and metabolites of hyperoside produced by the different intestinal bacteria were investigated for the first time. Furthermore, the production of metabolites of hyperoside might influence the effects of traditional medicines. Thus, the study on the metabolism of hyperoside by human intestinal bacteria is of great importance to an understanding of the effects of traditional medicines.

HPLC-ESI-MS/MS analysis and pharmacokinetics of luteoloside, a potential anticarcinogenic component isolated from Lonicera japonica, in beagle dogs

Luteoloside is a potential anticarcinogenic component isolated from Lonicera japonica, a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). This study details the development and validation of a sensitive and accurate HPLC-ESI-MS/MS method for the quantification of luteoloside in dog plasma. Sample pretreatment includes simple protein precipitation using methanol-acetonitrile (1:1, v/v). A Phenomenex Gemini C(18) column (2.0 × 50 mm, i.d., 3.5 µm) was used to separate luteoloside and internal standard by gradient mode with mobile phase consisting of water containing 0.1% formic acid and methanol containing 0.1% formic acid at a flow rate of 0.40 mL/min with a column temperature of 25°C. The detection was performed by positive ion electrospray ionization (ESI) in multiple reaction monitoring mode. The calibration curves were linear (R > 0.995) over the concentration range 1.0-2000 ng/mL and the lower limit of quantification was 1.0 ng/mL. The intra-day and inter-day precisions (RSD) were all <15%, accuracies (RE) were within the range of ±15%, and recoveries were between 85.0 and 115%. The validated HPLC-ESI-MS/MS method was successfully applied to determine plasma concentrations of luteoloside after intravenous administration of luteoloside at a dose level of 20 mg/kg.

Quantitative analysis of quercetin in Euphorbia helioscopia L by RP-HPLC

Euphorbia helioscopia L is widespread in China and has a large number of flavonoids. Quercetin glycosides, having useful biological activities, are abundant in this plant, and no validated analytical method has so far been developed for their determination. We, therefore, standardized a reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) assay for quercetin detection. For this, the plant was locally procured and identification was confirmed based on its morpho-histological characteristics. Ethyl acetate extracts of leaves, stems, and roots were analyzed by RP-HPLC using Agilent 1120 HPLC TC-C(18) column (250 × 4.6 mm; 5 μm) with UV-detector system. The mobile phase of methanol-0.2% phosphoric acid (65:35) solution was used with the flow rate of 1.0 ml min(-1) at 30°C, and the detection was performed at 360 nm wavelength. Our data show that the linear range of quercetin was 0.025-0.150 mg.ml(-1) (r = 0.9995; n = 6) with the recovery rate of 97.50-103.30% (average 100.40%; RSD = 2.28%). The target component was baseline separated during only the period of 9 min. The repeatability of RP-HPLC analysis was demonstrated with an RSD of 1.77% (n = 6), and the highest quercetin content (average 1.42 mg g(-1)dry-weight) was present in leaves. It was, therefore, concluded that RP-HPLC is a simple, rapid, accurate, and sensitive method for the detection of quercetin from Euphorbia helioscopia L.

The analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect of WIN-34B, a new herbal formula for osteoarthritis composed of Lonicera japonica Thunb and Anemarrhena asphodeloides BUNGE in vivo

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Lonicera japonica Thunb and Anemarrhena asphodeloides BUNGE have been used for the treatment of a variety of inflammatory diseases, cold and infective diseases in many countries, including Korea and China.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study aimed to assess the anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities of n-butanol fraction (WIN-34B) prepared from dried flowers of Lonicera japonica and dried roots of Anemarrhena asphodeloides as potential novel treatment of osteoarthritis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Anti-nociceptive activities of WIN-34B (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg, p.o.) were measured using acetic acid-induced writhing response, formalin-induced paw licking, hot plate, radiant heat tail-flick, carrageenan-induced paw pressure, and Hargreaves tests, respectively. Anti-inflammatory activities of WIN-34B (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg, p.o.) were assessed using acetic acid-induced vascular permeability, carrageenan-induced paw edema, and croton oil-induced ear edema. Anti-osteoarthritis effect of WIN-34B was analyzed using monosodium iodoacetate (MIA)-induced osteoarthritis animal model.

RESULTS

WIN-34B exhibited better anti-inflammatory activity than that of celecoxib in carrageenan at the dose of 200 mg/kg and croton oil-induced paw edema and ear edema at the doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg. WIN-34B exhibited significant anti-inflammatory effects on vascular permeability. WIN-34B also exhibited significant anti-nociceptive activities in the late phase of formalin-induced paw licking and writhing response model in mice. In radiant heat tail-flick and carrageenan-induced paw pressure tests, WIN-34B at the dose of 400 mg/kg and at the doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg presented similar activities to indomethacin and celecoxib. Compared to indomethacin WIN-34B at 400mg/kg showed similar or better anti-nociceptive activities after 1 and 2h of theraphy in the hot plate test and better anti-nociceptive activity than that of celecoxib in Hargreves test. In the MIA-induced osteoarthritis animal models, WIN-34B at 400 mg/kg exhibited similar or better anti-nociceptive property than that of celecoxib throughout the pain measurement periods.

CONCLUSION

When compared to celecoxib, WIN-34B exhibited similar or better anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities in osteoarthritic animal models, which may become a potential novel treatment for osteoarthritis.

Structural characterization and identification of iridoid glycosides, saponins, phenolic acids and flavonoids in Flos Lonicerae Japonicae by a fast liquid chromatography method with diode-array detection and time-of-flight mass spectrometry

A fast liquid chromatography method with diode-array detection (DAD) and time-of-flight mass spectrometry (TOF-MS) has been developed for analysis of constituents in Flos Lonicerae Japonicae (FLJ), a traditional Chinese medicine derived from the flower bud of Lonicera japonica. The chromatographic analytical time decreased to 25 min without sacrificing resolution using a column packed with 1.8-microm porous particles (4.6 x 50 mm), three times faster than the performance of conventional 5.0-microm columns (4.6 x 150 mm). Four major groups of compounds previously isolated from FLJ were structurally characterized by DAD-TOF-MS: iridoid glycosides showed maximum UV absorption at 240 nm; phenolic acids at 217, 242, and 326 nm; flavonoids at 255 and 355 nm; while saponins had no absorption. In electrospray ionization (ESI)-TOF-MS experiments, elimination of a glucose unit (162 Da), and successive losses of H(2)O, CH(3)OH and CO, were generally observed in iridoid glycosides; saponins were characterized by a series of identical aglycone ions; phenolic acids typically generated a base peak at [M-H-caffeoyl](-) by loss of a caffeic acid unit (162 Da) and several marked quinic acid moiety ions; cleavage of the glycosidic bond (loss of 162 or 308 Da), subsequent losses of H(2)O, CO, RDA and C-ring fragmentation were the most possible fragmentation pathways for flavonoids. By accurate mass measurements within 4 ppm error for each molecular ion and subsequent fragment ions, as well as the 'full mass spectral' information of TOF-MS, a total of 41 compounds including 13 iridoid glycosides, 11 phenolic acids, 7 saponins, and 10 flavonoids were identified in a methanolic extract of FLJ.

Rapid and simple method for screening of natural antioxidants from Chinese herb Flos Lonicerae Japonicae by DPPH-HPLC-DAD-TOF/MS

A rapid and simple method has been developed for the screening and identification of natural antioxidants of Flos Lonicerae Japonicae (FLJ), derived from the flower buds of Lonicera japonica. The hypothesis is that upon reaction with 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), the peak areas (PAs) of compounds with potential antioxidant effects in the HPLC chromatograms will be significantly reduced or disappeared, and the identity confirmation could be achieved by HPLC-DAD-TOF/MS hyphenated technique. Using the proposed approach, about 14 compounds in the FLJ extract were found to possess a potential antioxidant activity. They were identified as chlorogenic acid (1), 1-O-caffeoylquinic acid (1-O-CQA, 2), caffeic acid (4), 4-O-CQA (5), rutin (7), isoquercitrin (8), luteolin-7-O-glucoside (9), lonicerin (10), 4,5-O-dicaffeoylquinic acid (4,5-O-diCQA, 11), 3,5-O-diCQA (12), 1,3-O-diCQA (13), 3,4-O-diCQA (14), 1,4-O-diCQA (16), and luteolin (17). In addition, the free radical scavenging capacities of the available identified compounds were also investigated by HPLC assay. The results indicated that the compounds with PAs significantly decreasing were natural antioxidants, whereas those with PAs not changing presented no activities, which accordingly indicated that this newly proposed method could be widely applied for rapid screening and identification of natural antioxidants from complex matrices including Chinese herbal medicines.

Identification and quantification of 32 bioactive compounds in Lonicera species by high performance liquid chromatography coupled with time-of-flight mass spectrometry

Flos Lonicerae, referred to the flower buds of several medicinal Lonicera species, is a commonly used traditional Chinese herbal medicine. A multi-component-assay quality control method, using high performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI/TOF MS), has been developed for the simultaneous identification and quantification of 32 bioactive compounds in Flos Lonicerae. The limits of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ) were in the range of 0.002-0.089 and 0.006-0.355 microg/ml, respectively. All calibration curves showed good linear regression (r(2) > or = 0.99) within the test ranges. The overall intra- and inter-day precisions of analytes were less than 3.47% for peak area and 0.38% for retention time. The recoveries were from 85.4% to 101.6%. The validated method was applied to assay of 32 compounds in 8 medicinal Lonicera species. Furthermore, six unknown chromatographic peaks were tentatively characterized. It was demonstrated that the HPLC-ESI/TOF MS method was suitable for quality control of Lonicera species, owing to the advantages of accurate mass analysis, resolving power, enhanced selectivity and high sensitivity.

Electrochemical oxidation of luteolin at a glassy carbon electrode and its application in pharmaceutical analysis

Luteolin is a flavonoid reported to occur widely in many medicinal plants. The electrochemical behavior of luteolin was studied in phosphate buffer solution (PBS) of pH 4.0 at a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and differential pulse voltammetric method (DPV). The results indicated the well-defined redox peak of luteolin which was involving two electrons and two protons was observed and the electrode process is adsorption-controlled. The charge transfer coefficient (alpha) was calculated as 0.66. The relationships between oxidation peak current and the concentration of luteolin are linear in the range of 1.0 x 10(-8) - 1.0 x 10(-6) M by DPV method. The detection limit had been estimated as 5.0 x 10(-9) M. The facile and rapid method has been successfully applied to the detection of luteolin in tablets.

Qualitative and quantitative analysis in quality control of traditional Chinese medicines

Separation techniques with high efficiency and sensitive detection have been widely used for quality control of traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs). High-performance liquid chromatography, gas chromatography, and capillary electrophoresis are commonly used to separate various components in TCMs. Ultraviolet detection, fluorescence detection, evaporative light-scattering detection, mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance can be applied to separation techniques for qualitative and quantitative analysis of TCMs. The development of quality control for TCMs based on quantitative and qualitative analysis from 2000 to 2007 are reviewed; the fingerprint technique is also discussed due to its broad application in the quality control of TCMs. Prospects for further research based on our primary results are also discussed.

Identification of flavonoid diglycosides in several genotypes of asparagus from the Huétor-Tájar population variety

The qualitative and quantitative composition of flavonoids from the Huétor-Tájar population variety of asparagus (commonly known as " triguero") was investigated. Flavonoids were analyzed by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography-diode array detection (HPLC-DAD). Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) under identical HPLC conditions was used to verify the identities of the flavonoid glycosides from triguero asparagus. The quantities of asparagus flavonoids were calculated according to concentration curves constructed with authentic standards. Total flavonoid contents, calculated as the sum of individual compounds, were determined and ranged from 400 to 700 mg/kg fresh weight. The most abundant was rutin, which represented 55-98% of the total flavonoid complement. Triguero asparagus were revealed to be an important source of not only quercetin derivatives but also kaempferol and isorhamnetin glycosides. Significant differences (p < 0.05) in the content and relative composition of flavonoids were found among the spears of the distinct asparagus genotypes from the Huétor-Tájar population variety.