Antimicrobial, Antioxidant Activities, and HPLC Determination of the Major Components of Verbena carolina (Verbenaceae)

An efficient method for qualitation and quantitation of multi-components of the herbal medicine Qingjin Yiqi Granules

Qingjin Yiqi Granules (QJYQ) is a Traditional Chinese Medicines (TCMs) prescription for the patients with post-COVID-19 condition. It is essential to carry out the quality evaluation of QJYQ. A comprehensive investigation was conducted by establishing deep-learning assisted mass defect filter (deep-learning MDF) mode for qualitative analysis, ultra-high performance liquid chromatography and scheduled multiple reaction monitoring method (UHPLC-sMRM) for precise quantitation to evaluate the quality of QJYQ. Firstly, a deep-learning MDF was used to classify and characterize the whole phytochemical components of QJYQ based on the mass spectrum (MS) data of ultra-high performance liquid chromatography quadrupole time of flight tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-Q-TOF/MS). Secondly, the highly sensitive UHPLC-sMRM data-acquisition method was established to quantify the multi-ingredients of QJYQ. Totally, nine major types of phytochemical compounds in QJYQ were intelligently classified and 163 phytochemicals were initially identified. Furthermore, fifty components were rapidly quantified. The comprehensive evaluation strategy established in this study would provide an effective tool for accurately evaluating the quality of QJYQ as a whole.

Simultaneous determination of multiple components in rat plasma by UHPLC-sMRM for pharmacokinetic studies after oral administration of Qingjin Yiqi Granules

As a Traditional Chinese Medicine prescription, Qingjin Yiqi Granules (QJYQ) provides an effective treatment for patients recovering from COVID-19. However, the pharmacokinetics characteristics of the main components of QJYQ in vivo are still unknown. An efficacious ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) was developed and validated for the simultaneous determination of 33 components in rat plasma after oral administration of QJYQ. The plasma samples were precipitated with 400 µL methanol/acetonitrile (1/1, v/v) and analyzed in scheduled multiple reaction monitoring mode. The linear relationship of the 33 components was good (r > 0.9928). The lower limit of quantification for 33 components ranged from 0.4-60.5 ng/mL. The average recoveries and matrix effects of the analytes ranged from 72.9% to 115.0% with RSD of 1.4%-15.0%. All inter-day and intra-day RSDs were within 15.0%. After oral administration (3.15 g/kg), the validated approach was effectively applied to the pharmacokinetics of main components of QJYQ. Finally, fifteen main constituents of QJYQ with large plasma exposure were obtained, including baicalin, wogonoside, wogonin, apigenin-7-O-glucuronide, verbenalin, isoferulic acid, hesperidin, liquiritin, harpagide, protocatechuic acid, p-Coumaric acid, ferulic acid, sinapic acid, liquiritin apioside and glycyrrhizic acid. The present research lays a foundation for clarifying the therapeutic material basis of QJYQ and provides a reference for further scientific research and clinical application of QJYQ.

Two new compounds from Verbena bonariensis

Two new compounds verboncin A (1) and verboncin B (4) and 14 known compounds (2-3 and 5-16) were isolated from Verbena bonariensis, and these 14 compounds were first obtained from this plant. Their chemical structures were established by one and two-dimensional NMR and HRESIMS analysis and the results were compared with literature values. The absolute configuration of 1 was determined by calculating electronic circular dichroism (ECD). The cytotoxicity of some of the compounds against MCF-7, HCT-116, MDA-MB-231, and SW620 human cancer cell lines were evaluated, in which compound 4 showed negligible cytotoxic activity with an IC₅₀ value of 68.08 ± 0.35 µM against the MCF-7 cell line.

Verbena Attenuates Adriamycin-Induced Renal Tubular Injury via Inhibition of ROS-ERK1/2-NLRP3 Signal Pathway

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) has become a global public health problem. Tubular epithelial cell injury plays a vital role in the progression and prognosis of CKD. Therapies to protect tubular cells is the key to delaying CKD progression. Our study found that verbena, a natural traditional Chinese herb, has a potential reno-protective role in kidney diseases. However, the detailed mechanism remains unknown. In the current study, we employed adriamycin (ADR)-induced renal tubular cell injury to mimic the conditions of tubular injury in vitro. Results showed that total aqueous exact of verbena (TAEV) ameliorated ADR-induced cell disruption, loss of cellular viability, and apoptosis via inhibition of ROS-ERK1/2-mediated activation of NLRP3 signal pathway, suggesting that TAEV serves as a promising renoprotective agent in delaying the progression of CKD, while ROS-ERK1/2-mediated NLRP3 signal pathway might be a novel target in treating kidney diseases.

Electrophilic Modulation of the Superoxide Anion Radical Scavenging Ability of Copper(II) Complexes with 4-Methyl Imidazole

Three Cu(II) coordination compounds with 4-methyl imidazole were obtained, such as [Cu(C₄H₆N₂)₄(NO₃)₂], [Cu(C₄H₆N₂)₄Br₂], and [Cu(C₄H₆N₂)₄Cl₂]. Crystallographic studies confirmed their structural similarity with Cu(II) in the active site of endogenous copper-zinc superoxide dismutase (CuZn-SOD). The superoxide anion radical (O₂^•-) scavenging activity was evaluated by the non-enzymatic experimental assay and followed the trend [Cu(C₄H₆N₂)₄(NO₃)₂] > [Cu(C₄H₆N₂)₄Br₂] > [Cu(C₄H₆N₂)₄Cl₂]. The density functional theory and the hard and soft acids and bases principle showed the importance of the electron-deficient character of Cu(II) in the chemical reactivity of the coordination compounds; Cu(II) is the softest site in the molecule and it is preferred for the nucleophilic and radical attacks of the soft O₂^•-. A simple rule was obtained: "the electron-deficient character of Cu(II) is the key index for the O₂^•- scavenging activity and is modulated by the electron-releasing counteranion effect on the coordination compound".