Phytochemical Characterization for Quality Control of Phyllostachys pubescens Leaves Using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography Coupled with Diode Array Detector and Tandem Mass Detector

Quantitative Analysis of Bioactive Compounds in Commercial Teas: Profiling Catechin Alkaloids, Phenolic Acids, and Flavonols Using Targeted Statistical Approaches

Tea, an extensively consumed and globally popular beverage, has diverse chemical compositions that ascertain its quality and categorization. In this investigation, we formulated an analytical and quantification approach employing reversed-phase ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) methodology coupled with diode-array detection (DAD) to precisely quantify 20 principal constituents within 121 tea samples spanning 6 distinct variants. The constituents include alkaloids, catechins, flavonols, and phenolic acids. Our findings delineate that the variances in chemical constitution across dissimilar tea types predominantly hinge upon the intricacies of their processing protocols. Notably, green and yellow teas evinced elevated concentrations of total chemical moieties vis à vis other tea classifications. Remarkably divergent levels of alkaloids, catechins, flavonols, and phenolic acids were ascertained among the disparate tea classifications. By leveraging random forest analysis, we ascertained gallocatechin, epigallocatechin gallate, and epicatechin gallate as pivotal biomarkers for effective tea classification within the principal cadre of tea catechins. Our outcomes distinctly underscore substantial dissimilarities in the specific compounds inherent to varying tea categories, as ascertained via the devised and duly validated approach. The implications of this compositional elucidation serve as a pertinent benchmark for the comprehensive assessment and classification of tea specimens.

Chromatographic Techniques and Pharmacological Analysis as a Quality Control Strategy for Serjania triquetra a Traditional Medicinal Plant

Serjania triquetra is a medicinal plant widely used in traditional medicine for the treatment of urinary tract diseases, renal affections, and its complications. The population can buy this plant in folk markets as a raw material mixed with several herbal remedies or as a health supplement. On the market, two commercial presentations were found for the vegetal material; one had a bulk appearance and the other was marketed wrapped in cellophane bags (HESt-2, HESt-3). Nevertheless, the plant has not been exhaustively investigated and quality control techniques have not been developed. This research aimed to realize a phytochemical study using an authentic, freshly collected sample as a reference for S. triquetra (HESt-1), using the compounds identified. A method for the determination of preliminary chromatographic fingerprinting was developed. Additionally, the vasorelaxant effect from three samples was evaluated with ex vivo rat models. Thus, three hydroalcoholic extracts (HESt-1, HESt-2, and HESt-3) were prepared by maceration. A total of nine compounds were fully identified from HESt-1 after the extract was subjected to open-column chromatography. Seven metabolites were detected by gas chromatography, while ursolic acid (UA) and allantoin were isolated and identified using UPLC-MS and NMR, respectively. Three extracts were analyzed for their chromatographic fingerprint by UPLC-MS. Biological activity was explored by ex vivo rat aorta ring model to evaluate vasorelaxant activity. All extracts showed a vasorelaxant effect in a concentration-dependent and endothelium-dependent manner. S. triquetra vascular activity may be attributed to UA and allantoin compounds previously described in the literature for this activity.

Eriochloa villosa Alleviates Progression of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia in vitro and in vivo

Introduction

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a non-neoplastic proliferative disease of the prostate. Eriochloa villosa (EV) reportedly possesses various pharmacological activities, including anti-lipase activity and modulation of various antioxidative enzymes. In this study, we investigate the therapeutic potential of EV against BPH in a testosterone-induced BPH rat model.

Methods

Rats were subjected to a daily subcutaneous injection of testosterone (3 mg kg⁻¹) for 4 weeks to induce BPH. Along with testosterone, rats in the treatment group were administered finasteride (10 mg kg⁻¹) or EV (150 mg kg⁻¹) via oral gavage. Prostatic cancer (LNCaP) cell line was used to examine the effect of EV.

Results

Finasteride and EV significantly decrease the relative prostate weight, serum levels of dihydrotestosterone and testosterone, and prostate epithelial thickness. Testosterone injection induced prostatic hyperplasia and proliferating cell nuclear antigen expression; however, EV treatment significantly attenuated these effects. Moreover, finasteride- and EV-treated rats exhibit an increase in the number of TUNEL-positive cells and reduced Bcl-2 expression in the prostate tissues compared with the testosterone-treated animals. Furthermore, EV suppresses inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-8, in the prostate tissues. Meanwhile, the expression of inflammatory mediator cyclooxygenase-2 is consistently upregulated in testosterone-treated rats, whereas EV treatment significantly reverses this effect. Notably, EV treatment suppresses malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and upregulates testosterone-induced catalase (CAT) expression. In addition, EV suppresses expression of androgen receptor (AR) and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) induced by testosterone in LNCaP cells.

Conclusion

The present study results suggest that EV regulates prostatic proliferation, apoptosis, response to inflammation, and oxidative stress in the BPH rat model, and may, therefore, serve as a useful therapeutic agent for BPH.