Integrated UPLC-Q/TOF-MS Technique and MALDI-MS to Study of the Efficacy of YiXinshu Capsules Against Heart Failure in a Rat Model

Holistic quality assessment and monitoring of YiXinShu capsule based on three-dimensional fingerprints combined with quantitative analysis, antioxidant activity and chemometrics

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

YiXinShu capsule (YXSC), originally from the classical TCM formula named "Sheng-Mai-San", has been extensively utilized in clinic for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. However, there were few reports about the quality assessment of YXSCs both internationally and domestically.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The objective was to develop a multi-strategy platform incorporating systematic quantitative fingerprint analysis and antioxidant activity determination, with chemometric analysis and bivariate correlation analysis as the auxiliary approaches, to assess and monitor the quality of YXSCs.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Firstly, according to the Chinese Pharmacopoeia (2020 edition), 12 key indicator components from seven herb medicines were quantified by HPLC method. Then, three-dimensional fingerprints comprising five-wavelength fusion fingerprint (FWF-FP), electrochemical fingerprint (EC-FP) and Differential Scanning Calorimetry fingerprint (DSC-FP) were established to assess and monitor YXSCs using systematically quantified fingerprint method (SQFM) and principal component analysis (PCA). Moreover, by integrating the analysis of the three-dimensional fingerprints, the quality of YXSCs from different batches was effectively screened. Finally, the antioxidant activity of this TCM was assessed through DPPH and ABTS methods, and the L-ascorbic acid equivalent antioxidant capacity (AEAC) values were compared to evaluate the antioxidant activities of the two methods. A Partial Least Squares (PLS) model was used to develop the spectrum-activity relationship between FWF-FP and AEAC, and a bivariate correlation analysis (BCA) was used to assess the correlation between FWF-FP and EC-FP.

RESULTS

The key indexes including tanshinone I, tol, toe, Atp, first exothermic peak, and second exothermic peak can differentiate between various batches of YXSCs based on their three-dimensional fingerprint profiles. The integration evaluation results from 42 batches of YXSCs were categorized into 2-5 grades, indicating good quality consistency across different batches. In vitro studies have indicated a significant antioxidant activity capacity of YXSCs. The PLS model revealed that 37 out of the 41 fingerprint peaks exhibited antioxidant activity. The overall trend of BCA was consistent with PLS model results.

CONCLUSION

This research presents a scientific and holistic strategy for the quality consistency evaluation of YXSCs, thereby offering an effective approach for the thorough evaluation of TCMs.

Metabolomics unveils the exacerbating role of arachidonic acid metabolism in atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis is a complex vascular disorder characterized by the deposition of lipids, inflammatory cascades, and plaque formation in arterial walls. A thorough understanding of its causes and progression is necessary to develop effective diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. Recent breakthroughs in metabolomics have provided valuable insights into the molecular mechanisms and genetic factors involved in atherosclerosis, leading to innovative approaches for preventing and treating the disease. In our study, we analyzed clinical serum samples from both atherosclerosis patients and animal models using laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry. By employing methods such as orthogonal partial least-squares discrimination analysis (OPLS-DA), heatmaps, and volcano plots, we can accurately classify atherosclerosis (AUC = 0.892) and identify key molecules associated with the disease. Specifically, we observed elevated levels of arachidonic acid and its metabolite, leukotriene B4, in atherosclerosis. By inhibiting arachidonic acid and monitoring its downstream metabolites, we discovered the crucial role of this metabolic pathway in regulating atherosclerosis. Metabolomic research provides detailed insights into the metabolic networks involved in atherosclerosis development and reveals the close connection between abnormal metabolism and the disease. These studies offer new possibilities for precise diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring of disease progression, as well as evaluating the effectiveness of therapeutic interventions.

Mechanistic Review on the Role of Gut Microbiota in the Pathology of Cardiovascular Diseases

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), which stand as the primary contributors to illness and death on a global scale, include vital risk factors like hyperlipidemia, hypertension, diabetes, and smoking, to name a few. However, conventional cardiovascular risk factors offer only partial insight into the complexity of CVDs. Lately, a growing body of research has illuminated that the gut microbiome and its by-products are also of paramount importance in the initiation and progression of CVDs. The gastrointestinal tract houses trillions of microorganisms, commonly known as gut microbiota, that metabolize nutrients, yielding substances like trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO), bile acids (BAs), short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), indoxyl sulfate (IS), and so on. Strategies aimed at addressing these microbes and their correlated biological pathways have shown promise in the management and diagnosis of CVDs. This review offers a comprehensive examination of how the gut microbiota contributes to the pathogenesis of CVDs, particularly atherosclerosis, hypertension, heart failure (HF), and atrial fibrillation (AF), explores potential underlying mechanisms, and highlights emerging therapeutic prospects in this dynamic domain.

Therapeutic effect of Eleutherococcus senticosus (Rupr. & Maxim.) Maxim. leaves on ischemic stroke via the microbiota-gut-brain axis

Eleutherococcus senticosus (Rupr. & Maxim.) Maxim. leaves (ESL) are widely used to treat ischemic stroke (IS); however, the specific mechanism remains unclear. The microbiota-gut-brain axis plays a critical role in IS and has become a potential therapeutic target. This study aimed to reveal and verify the therapeutic effect of ESL on IS through the microbiota-gut-brain axis. Ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry-based untargeted/targeted metabolomics combined with 16S rRNA microbiota sequencing strategy were used to investigate the regulatory effect of ESL on the metabolism and intestinal microenvironment after IS. Lactobacillus reuteri and Clostridium butyricum were used to treat rats with IS to verify that elevated levels of probiotics are key factors in the therapeutic effect of ESL. The results showed that IS significantly altered the accumulation of 41 biomarkers, while ESL restored their concentrations back to normal. Moreover, ESL alleviated the dysbiosis of gut microbiota brought on by IS, by reducing the abundance of pathogens and increasing the abundance of probiotics (e.g., Lactobacillus reuteri and Clostridium butyricum); this could reduce post-stroke injury, thereby having a certain protective effect on IS. This study reveals that ESL plays an important role in treating IS through the microbiota-gut-brain axis, maintaining metabolic homeostasis in vivo.

The Role of Intestinal Flora and Its Metabolites in Heart Failure

Intestinal flora is a complex collection of microbial communities that participate in the physiological and pathological activities of the human body through various pathways. In recent years, numerous studies have reported that intestinal flora are involved in the occurrence and development of heart failure (HF) and its metabolic products could play an important role in this progression, suggesting a great value in the clinical treatment of this condition. This study reported the interaction between intestinal flora and HF, and with intestinal flora metabolites, such as short-chain fatty acids, trimethylamine N-oxide and bile acids and urotoxins, considered as the starting point, the mechanism of the roles in HF was summarized. Additionally, the current research status and the development prospects of applying flora and metabolites to the clinical therapeutic decision of HF were discussed.

A UPLC-Q-TOF-MS-Based Metabolomics Approach to Screen out Active Components in Prepared Rhubarb for Its Activity on Noxious Heat Blood Stasis Syndrome

Background: Prepared rhubarb was obtained by steaming raw rhubarb with wine. Different from raw rhubarb with a purgative effect, prepared rhubarb shows effects of promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis. However, the mechanisms of its action through regulating endogenous metabolites remain unclear.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore active chemical components in prepared rhubarb for its activity on noxious heat blood stasis syndrome (NHBS) by comprehensive metabolomics profiling.

Study design: Plant extracts usually show their activities in a synergistic way; therefore, integrated omics was developed as a rational way for a better understanding of their biological effects and potential active compounds.

Methods: The activities of prepared rhubarb were evaluated by biochemical and metabolomic analysis; meanwhile, serum chemical profiles were sought using UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS. Gray correlation analysis (GCA) was used for calculating the underlying correlations between them.

Results: The metabolomics profiles of rat plasma from model and control groups were significantly different, with 31 endogenous metabolites changed by NHBS. Then, after the administration of prepared rhubarb, 18 of them were regulated. Multiple metabolic pathways were disturbed after NHBS modeling and restored by prepared rhubarb, among which had a greater impact on sphingolipid metabolism. A total of 28 compounds from prepared rhubarb absorbed into the plasma were identified, including nine prototypes and 19 metabolites. Statistical results suggested that rhein and its metabolites accounted for half of the top 10 active compounds in prepared rhubarb for its biomedical activities.

Conclusion: This study presented evidence for the therapeutic effects and active chemicals of prepared rhubarb on NHBS in the way of metabolomics.

What are we imaging? Software tools and experimental strategies for annotation and identification of small molecules in mass spectrometry imaging

Mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) has become a widespread analytical technique to perform nonlabeled spatial molecular identification. The Achilles' heel of MSI is the annotation and identification of molecular species due to intrinsic limitations of the technique (lack of chromatographic separation and the difficulty to apply tandem MS). Successful strategies to perform annotation and identification combine extra analytical steps, like using orthogonal analytical techniques to identify compounds; with algorithms that integrate the spectral and spatial information. In this review, we discuss different experimental strategies and bioinformatics tools to annotate and identify compounds in MSI experiments. We target strategies and tools for small molecule applications, such as lipidomics and metabolomics. First, we explain how sample preparation and the acquisition process influences annotation and identification, from sample preservation to the use of orthogonal techniques. Then, we review twelve software tools for annotation and identification in MSI. Finally, we offer perspectives on two current needs of the MSI community: the adaptation of guidelines for communicating confidence levels in identifications; and the creation of a standard format to store and exchange annotations and identifications in MSI.

Unveiling Dynamic Changes of Chemical Constituents in Raw and Processed Fuzi With Different Steaming Time Points Using Desorption Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry Imaging Combined With Metabolomics

Fuzi is a famous toxic traditional herbal medicine, which has long been used for the treatment of various diseases in China and many other Asian countries because of its extraordinary pharmacological activities and high toxicity. Different processing methods to attenuate the toxicity of Fuzi are important for its safe clinical use. In this study, desorption electrospray ionization mass spectrometry imaging (DESI-MSI) with a metabolomics-combined multivariate statistical analysis approach was applied to investigate a series of Aconitum alkaloids and explore potential metabolic markers to understand the differences between raw and processed Fuzi with different steaming time points. Moreover, the selected metabolic markers were visualized by DESI-MSI, and six index alkaloids’ contents were determined through HPLC. The results indicated visible differences among raw and processed Fuzi with different steaming times, and 4.0 h is the proper time for toxicity attenuation and efficacy reservation. A total of 42 metabolic markers were identified to discriminate raw Fuzi and those steamed for 4.0 and 8.0 h, which were clearly visualized in DESI-MSI. The transformation from diester-diterpenoid alkaloids to monoester-diterpenoid alkaloids and then to non-esterified diterpene alkaloids through hydrolysis is the major toxicity attenuation process during steaming. DESI-MSI combined with metabolomics provides an efficient method to visualize the changeable rules and screen the metabolic markers of Aconitum alkaloids during steaming. The wide application of this technique could help identify markers and reveal the possible chemical transition mechanism in the “Paozhi” processes of Fuzi. It also provides an efficient and easy way to quality control and ensures the safety of Fuzi and other toxic traditional Chinese medicine.

Clinical Significance of Screening Differential Metabolites in Ovarian Cancer Tissue and Ascites by LC/MS

Tumor cells not only show a vigorous metabolic state, but also reflect the disease progression and prognosis from their metabolites. To judge the progress and prognosis of ovarian cancer is generally based on the formation of ascites, or whether there is ascites recurrence during chemotherapy after ovarian cancer surgery. To explore the relationship between the production of ascites and ovarian cancer tissue, metabolomics was used to screen differential metabolites in this study. The significant markers leading to ascites formation and chemoresistance were screened by analyzing their correlation with the formation of ascites in ovarian cancer and the clinical indicators of patients, and then provided a theoretical basis. The results revealed that nine differential metabolites were screened out from 37 ovarian cancer tissues and their ascites, among which seven differential metabolites were screened from 22 self-paired samples. Sebacic acid and 20-COOH-leukotriene E4 were negatively correlated with the high expression of serum CA125. Carnosine was positively correlated with the high expression of serum uric acid. Hexadecanoic acid was negatively correlated with the high expression of serum γ-GGT and HBDH. 20a,22b-Dihydroxycholesterol was positively correlated with serum alkaline phosphatase and γ-GGT. In the chemotherapy-sensitive and chemotherapy-resistant ovarian cancer tissues, the differential metabolite dihydrothymine was significantly reduced in the chemotherapy-resistant group. In the ascites supernatant of the drug-resistant group, the differential metabolites, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamins D3-26, 23-lactonel and hexadecanoic acid were also significantly reduced. The results indicated that the nine differential metabolites could reflect the prognosis and the extent of liver and kidney damage in patients with ovarian cancer. Three differential metabolites with low expression in the drug-resistant group were proposed as new markers of chemotherapy efficacy in ovarian cancer patients with ascites.

Traditional Chinese medicine for acute coronary syndrome: A meta-analysis of clinical manifestations and objective indicators

BACKGROUND

Modern clinical trials and experimental researches of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) have been conducted for decades and provided support for the prevention and treatment of acute coronary syndrome (ACS). However the level of evidence and the proper application of TCM were still barely satisfactory.

METHODS

In this study, we divided ACS into 3 different stages, including unstable angina, acute myocardial infarction, and post myocardial infarction. Then we systematically reviewed and meta-analyzed the existing randomized controlled trials on both clinical manifestations and objective indicators, in these 3 aspects.

RESULTS

The results indicate that TCM can both improve the clinical manifestations and ameliorate the objective parameters in different courses of ACS, including C-reactive protein in unstable angina, left ventricular ejection fraction in acute myocardial infarction and post myocardial infarction. And the incidence of short-term cardiovascular events are lower in TCM intervention group. Some of the improvements lead to potential long-term benefits.

CONCLUSION

TCM treatment is beneficial to different courses of ACS. To acquire more solid and comprehensive evidence of TCM in treating ACS, more rigorously designed randomized controlled trials with longer follow-up duration are warranted.

Design, synthesis and biological evaluation of novel pyxinol derivatives with anti-heart failure activity

Heart failure (HF) is an important and leading cause of substantial morbidity and mortality globally. The angiotensin-converting enzymatic (ACE) is the causative source for congestive heart failure. Natural products and its derivatives play a vital role in drug discovery and development owing to their efficacy and low toxicity. Pyxinol is a potent natural agent for cardiovascular disease. Thus we investigated the effect on ACE and HF of pyxinol derivatives. We designed and synthesized 32 novel fatty acid ester derivatives of pyxinol via esterification. Among them, compounds 2e (IC₅₀=105 nM) and 3b (IC₅₀=114 nM) displayed excellent ACE inhibitory activity in vitro, and exhibited non-toxic to H9c2 cells. The interactions between ACE and compounds were predicted by molecular docking respectively. In verapamil-induced zebrafish HF model, the activity assay showed that these two derivatives could improve cardiovascular physiological indexes including heart beats, venous congestion, heart dilation, cardiac output, ejection fraction and fractional shortening in a dose-dependent manner. A UPLC-QTOF-MS-based serum metabolomics approach was applied to explore the latent mechanism. A total of 25 differentiated metabolites and 8 perturbed metabolic pathways were identified. These results indicated that pyxinol fatty acid ester derivatives 2e and 3b might be considered as potent drug candidates against heart failure and deserved further research and development.