Comparison of Volatile Oil between the Ligusticum sinese Oliv. and Ligusticum jeholense Nakai et Kitag. Based on GC-MS and Chemical Pattern Recognition Analysis

Studying the efficacy of JBOL volatile components in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) using GC-MS and network pharmacology

Jin Bei oral liquid (JBOL) is a Chinese medicinal preparation for the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), Clinical trials have shown that IPF patients using JBOL have improved their lung function indicators FVC% and DLCO% by approximately 2.10% and 7.74%, suggesting that the agent has a positive effect in slowing disease progression. In this study, the active volatile components of JBOL were systematically identified and analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), network pharmacology and molecular docking techniques. It was found that JBOL contains a variety of compounds with antifibrotic potential, which act through multi-target and multi-pathway mechanisms. Network pharmacological analyses revealed multiple targets of JBOL associated with key pathological processes in IPF, and key active ingredients were screened based on degree values (including Sedanolide, Ligustilide, Senkyunolide H, Senkyunolide I, α-Terpineol, and 4-Terpineol). Molecular docking results showed that these compounds have high affinity for target proteins. Finally, suitable quantitative methods were established and methodologically validated for these six compounds, and these methods were used to determine the content of 8 batches of JBOL and analyze the differences in content between batches.The present study provides a scientific basis for the quality control and standardization of its JBOL by identifying and analyzing its active volatile components.

Quality Evaluation of Qingwei Huanglian Pills Based on Fingerprint and Quantitative Analysis of Multi-Index Components Combined with Chemical Pattern Recognition Analysis

Qingwei Huanglian Pills (QHPs) is one of the most commonly used traditional Chinese medicine preparations for the treatment of mouth and tongue sores, but the existing quality evaluation standards have certain shortcomings and deficiencies. An effective and scientific quality evaluation method plays a vital role in medication safety. In this study, fingerprint and quantitative analysis of multi-index components combined with chemical pattern recognition analysis was used to comprehensively evaluate the quality of QHPs. The fingerprints of 15 batches of QHPs were generated and evaluated for similarity, with 10 characteristic peaks identified. Clustering hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA), principal component analysis (PCA) and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) were employed to cluster and rank the 15 batches, while simultaneously identifying the components responsible for differences between batches. The HPLC fingerprints of QHPs, along with the content determination of 10 components, were established. Twenty-eight common peaks were identified, and 10 components were specified. The similarity between the 15 batches of samples ranged from 0.983 to 0.999. Cluster analysis and comprehensive score ranking of 15 batches of samples were performed by HCA and PCA, respectively, and 13 chemical markers affecting batch differences were screened by OPLS-DA. The method established here can serve as a reference for the quality evaluation and product quality control of QHPs.

A comprehensive review of the botany, ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry, pharmacology, quality control and other applications of Ligustici Rhizoma et Radix

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Ligusticum sinense Oliv. and L. jeholense Nakai et Kitag. are globally recognized as medicinal botanical species, specifically the rhizomes and roots. These plant parts are collectively referred to as Ligustici Rhizoma et Radix (LReR), which is recorded in the Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China (Ch. P). LReR enjoys widespread recognition in many countries such as China, Russia, Vietnam, and Korea. It is an herbal remedy traditionally employed for dispelling wind and cold, eliminating dampness, and alleviating pain. Numerous bioactive compounds have been successfully isolated and identified, displaying a diverse array of pharmacological activities and medicinal value.

THE AIM OF THE REVIEW

This review aims to primarily center on the botanical aspects, ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry, pharmacology, toxicity, quality control, and other applications of LReR to furnish a comprehensive and multidimensional foundation for future exploration and utilization.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Relevant information about LReR was acquired from ancient books, doctoral and master's dissertations, Google Scholar, Web of Science, PubMed, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), ScienceDirect, classical literature, and clinical reports. Several electronic databases were also incorporated.

RESULTS

In traditional usage, LReR had been traditionally employed for the treatment of anemofrigid headaches, colds, and joint pain. It possessed therapeutic properties for facial skin disorders, thereby facilitating skin regeneration. It has been subjected to comprehensive chemical analysis, resulting in the identification and isolation of 190 compounds, including phthalides, phenylpropanoids, flavonoids, phenolic acids, triterpenes, steroids, volatile oil, fatty acids, and other constituents. The pharmacological activities have been in-depth explored through modern in vivo and in vitro studies, confirming its anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and anti-melanin effects. Furthermore, it exhibited pharmacological activities such as antioxidant, anticancer, antibacterial, and vasodilatory properties. This study provides a basic to contribute to the advancement of research, medicinal applications and product development related to LReR.

CONCLUSIONS

Considering its traditional and contemporary applications, phytochemical composition, and pharmacological properties, LReR was regarded as a valuable botanical resource for pharmaceutical and pest control purposes. While certain constituents had demonstrated diverse pharmacological activities and application potential, further elucidation was required to fully understand their specific actions and underlying mechanisms. Hence, there was a need to conduct additional investigations to uncover its material foundation and mode of action.

A comprehensive quality evaluation method of different medicinal parts of Physalis Calyx seu Fructus by fingerprints, chemometrics, antioxidant activity, network pharmacology and molecular docking

Physalis Calyx seu Fructus (PCF) is a herb widely used in China for its function of clearing heat and detoxifying, benefitting the pharynx and reducing phlegm, both in health care and in tea drinking. However, the quality of its fruit and calyx is uneven and the storage period is short. Therefore, it is crucial to develop other parts of PCF with longer storage periods and obvious medicinal effects. Firstly, high-performance liquid chromatography was used to develop the fingerprint of different parts of PCF, and various chemometric analyses were conducted to screen out chemical markers. The calyxes of PCF were found to cluster together, distinct from the fruits, roots, stems and leaves. The active components of PCF were concentrated in the persistent calyxes, and flavonoids were mainly found in the persistent calyxes and leaves. Secondly, the extraction of persistent calyxes showed the strongest scavenging ability of DPPH and ABTS. Finally, the important chemical markers were verified by network pharmacological analysis and molecular docking. It provides a reference for the clinical application of PCF, and the obtained chemical markers offer a scientific basis for quality evaluation.

Geographic Differentiation of Essential Oil from Rhizome of Cultivated Atractylodes lancea by Using GC-MS and Chemical Pattern Recognition Analysis

The rhizome of Atractylodes lancea (RAL) is a well-known Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) that has been applied in clinical settings for thousands of years. In the past two decades, cultivated RAL has gradually replaced wild RAL and become mainstream in clinical practice. The quality of CHM is significantly influenced by its geographical origin. To date, limited studies have compared the composition of cultivated RAL from different geographical origins. As essential oil is the primary active component of RAL, a strategy combining gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and chemical pattern recognition was first applied to compare the essential oil of RAL (RALO) from different regions in China. Total ion chromatography (TIC) revealed that RALO from different origins had a similar composition; however, the relative content of the main compounds varied significantly. In addition, 26 samples obtained from various regions were divided into three categories by hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) and principal component analysis (PCA). Combined with the geographical location and chemical composition analysis, the producing regions of RAL were classified into three areas. The main compounds of RALO vary depending on the production areas. Furthermore, a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed that there were significant differences in six compounds, including modephene, caryophyllene, γ-elemene, atractylon, hinesol, and atractylodin, between the three areas. Hinesol, atractylon, and β-eudesmol were selected as the potential markers for distinguishing different areas by orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA). In conclusion, by combining GC-MS with chemical pattern recognition analysis, this research has identified the chemical variations across various producing areas and developed an effective method for geographic origin tracking of cultivated RAL based on essential oils.