Corydalis tomentella Franch. Exerts anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects by regulating the calcium signaling pathway

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Corydalis tomentella Franch. is a perennial cespitose plant commonly used to treat stomachaches as a folk medicine. The C. tomentella total alkaloids have good protective effects against acute liver injury and potential anti-hepatoma and anti-Alzheimer's disease activities.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To establish an effective purification process for total alkaloids from C. tomentella and investigate the mechanism of their anti-inflammatory effects.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Corydalis tomentella were purified using macroporous resin. Then the crude and purified C. tomentella extracts (cCTE and pCTE) were qualitatively analyzed using UPLC-Triple-TOF-MS/MS. The cCTE and pCTE were used to investigate and compare their anti-inflammatory effects on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW264.7 cells. Doses at 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg/d of pCTE were used to study their anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities in mice with xylene-induced ear swelling and acetic acid-induced writhing tests. Content of nitric oxide (NO), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were determined both in RAW264.7 cells and mice. Network pharmacology was used to predict the anti-inflammatory mechanism of C. tomentella, and the key enzymes were validated using qPCR and Western Blot analysis. Concentration of intracellular Ca2+ was detected using flow cytometric analysis.

RESULTS

The C. tomentella total alkaloid purity increased from 6.29% to 47.34% under optimal purification conditions. A total of 54 alkaloids were identified from CTE. Both cCTE and pCTE could suppress the LPS-induced production of NO, IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α in RAW264.7 cells. The pCTE exhibited a more potent anti-inflammatory effect; it also inhibited pain induced by xylene and acetic acid in mice. The calcium signaling pathway is associated with the anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities of C. tomentella. The mRNA expression of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) 2, NOS3 and calmodulin1 (CALM1) was regulated by C. tomentella through the reduction of inflammation-induced Ca2+ influx, and it also exhibited a more pronounced effect than the positive control (L-NG-nitro arginine methyl ester).

CONCLUSIONS

Purified C. tomentella extract shows anti-inflammatory effect both in vitro and in vivo. It exerts anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects through the calcium signaling pathway by down-regulating NOS2 and CALM1 expression and up-regulating NOS3 expression in LPS-induced RAW264.7 cells, and decreasing intracellular Ca2+ concentration.

Chronic Inflammation in Non-Healing Skin Wounds and Promising Natural Bioactive Compounds Treatment

Chronic inflammation is one of the hallmarks of chronic wounds and is tightly coupled to immune regulation. The dysregulation of the immune system leads to continuing inflammation and impaired wound healing and, subsequently, to chronic skin wounds. In this review, we discuss the role of the immune system, the involvement of inflammatory mediators and reactive oxygen species, the complication of bacterial infections in chronic wound healing, and the still-underexplored potential of natural bioactive compounds in wound treatment. We focus on natural compounds with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial activities and their mechanisms of action, as well as on recent wound treatments and therapeutic advancements capitalizing on nanotechnology or new biomaterial platforms.

3D printing of nanocomposite pills through desktop vat photopolymerization (stereolithography) for drug delivery reasons

Background

The desktop vat polymerization process or stereolithography printing is an ideal approach to develop multifunctional nanocomposites wherein a conventional solid dosage form is used as a reservoir for compliant administration of drug-loaded nanocarriers.

Methods

In this study, a nanocomposite drug delivery system, that is, hydrogel nanoparticles of an approved nutraceutical, berberine entrapped within vat photopolymerized monoliths, was developed for drug delivery applications. For the fabrication of the nanocomposite drug delivery systems/pills, a biocompatible vat photopolymerized resin was selected as an optimum matrix capable of efficiently delivering berberine from stereolithography mediated 3D printed nanocomposite pill.

Results

The obtained data reflected the efficient formation of berberine-loaded hydrogel nanoparticles with a mean particle diameter of 95.05 ± 4.50 nm but low loading. Stereolithography-assisted fabrication of monoliths was achieved with high fidelity (in agreement with computer-aided design), and photo-crosslinking was ascertained through Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. The hydrogel nanoparticles were entrapped within the pills during the stereolithography process, as evidenced by electron microscopy. The nanocomposite pills showed a higher swelling in an acidic environment and consequently faster berberine release of 50.39 ± 3.44% after 4 h. The overall results suggested maximal release within the gastrointestinal transit duration and excretion of the exhausted pills.

Conclusions

We intended to demonstrate the feasibility of making 3D printed nanocomposite pills achieved through the desktop vat polymerization process for drug delivery applications.

Palmatine-loaded electrospun poly(ε-caprolactone)/gelatin nanofibrous scaffolds accelerate wound healing and inhibit hypertrophic scar formation in a rabbit ear model

Hypertrophic scar (HS) has been considered as a great concern for patients and a challenging problem for clinicians as it can cause functional debility, cosmetic disfigurement and psychological trauma. Although many methods have been developed to prevent and treat HS, the scarless healing is still a worldwide medical problem. In this study, palmatine-loaded poly(ε-caprolactone)/gelatin nanofibrous scaffolds (PCL/GE/PALs) were fabricated by electrospinning, and their effects on wound healing and HS formation were investigated. These nanofiber mats exhibit good antibacterial and antioxidant activities. In vitro studies indicate PCL/GE/PAL scaffolds can facilitate the adhesion, spreading and proliferation of L929 fibroblasts. In vivo tests demonstrate the full-thickness wounds treated with PCL/GE/PAL scaffolds heal about 3.5 days earlier than those in the control group. Scar elevation index measurements and histological analyses reveal PCL/GE/PAL scaffolds significantly inhibit HS formation, with the decrease in the thickness of dermis and epidermis, the number of fibroblasts, as well as the density of collagen and microvascular. Accelerating wound healing and inhibiting HS formation of these scaffolds are contributed to the sustained release of palmatine. The present work validates the potential use of palmatine-loaded electrospun nanofibrous scaffold PCL/GE/PALs as a functional wound dressing for healing wounds and preventing HS formation.

Solanum vegetable-based diets improve impairments in memory, redox imbalance, and altered critical enzyme activities in Drosophila melanogaster model of neurodegeneration

The effects of two Solanum vegetables, S. macrocarpon L. (African eggplant), and S. nigrum L. (black nightshade) on aluminum model of neurodegeneration in Drosophila melanogaster was investigated. Flies were treated with AlCl₃ alone or in combination with the leaves from both samples in their diets for 7 days. Thereafter, locomotor performance and aversive phototaxic suppression test for learning and memory were carried out. This was followed by assay for reactive oxygen species, antioxidant properties, and enzyme (monoamine oxidase and cholinesterase) activities. Also, the in vitro antioxidant properties and chromatographic phenolic and alkaloid characterization of the samples were determined. Results showed that impaired behavioral physiology, antioxidant status, and enzyme activities observed in Al-treated flies were ameliorated in flies treated with both samples. In addition, both samples exhibited in vitro antioxidant effects. The protective effects from these samples against Al-induced toxicity can be associated with their antioxidant, antimonoaminergic, and anticholinergic properties. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: In the quest for a holistic prevention/management approach to neurodegenerative diseases, functional foods are becoming prominent. The use of Drosophila melanogaster to study human diseases is gaining huge recognition due to the high homologue between disease-causing genes between the two organisms. Consequently, this study presents African eggplant and black nightshade leafy vegetables as sources of polyphenols and alkaloids which are able to ameliorate impaired learning and memory, redox status, and enzyme activities in Al-induced D. melanogaster model of neurodegeneration.

Purification of tertiary and quaternary alkaloids from Rhizoma Corydalis using reversed-phase/weak cation-exchange mixed-mode class separation combined with preparative C18 and silica based strong cation-exchange chromatography

A new optimization strategy for purification of alkaloids from Rhizoma Corydalis using preparative liquid chromatography was developed, featuring a selective separation of different types of alkaloids into different parts by a reversed-phase/weak cation-exchange mixed-mode column (named C18WCX) at first. The total alkaloids of Rhizoma Corydalis were divided into four fractions with fraction III and IV corresponding to the tertiary type medium bases and the quaternary type strong bases, respectively. For fraction III, a conventional C18 column was used to isolate tertiary alkaloids using acetonitrile and 0.1% phosphoric acid (adjusted with triethylamine to pH 6.0) as mobile phases. High selectivity and symmetrical peak shapes of tertiary alkaloids were obtained, resulting in six main tertiary alkaloids isolated in a single run. As strong bases, quaternary alkaloids often suffer from serious peak tailing problem on conventional C18 columns. Therefore, a silica-based strong cation-exchange (SCX) column was used for purification of fraction IV. On the SCX column, good peak shapes in high sample loading were achieved. Five main quaternary alkaloids were isolated and identified from the fraction in one-step. The procedures presented effective for the preparative isolation and purification of alkaloids from Rhizoma Corydalis.

Simultaneous screening and analysis of antiplatelet aggregation active alkaloids from Rhizoma Corydalis

CONTEXT

The rising problem of atherosclerosis and ischemic heart disease emphasizes the need to look for new antithrombotic components with effective modes of action. Corydalis yanhusuo (Y.H. Chou & Chun C. Hsu) W.T. Wang ex Z.Y. Su & C.Y. Wu (Papaveraceae) (Rhizoma Corydalis) has been used in the traditional medicines for the treatment of cardiovascular disease.

OBJECTIVE

The antiplatelet aggregation compounds in Rhizoma Corydalis were screened to validate its traditional medicinal use.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Total alkaloid extract (TAE) of Rhizoma Corydalis was obtained by refluxing 100 g Rhizoma Corydalis powder with 600 mL 70% ethanol, and purified by acidification (20% HCl) and alkalization (5 M NaOH) process. Potential antiplatelet aggregation compounds in TAE were screened by a method involving platelet bio-specific extraction and HPLC-DAD/LC-MS analysis. Further in vitro antiplatelet aggregation activity confirmation of TAE and seven main alkaloids were achieved by turbidimetry method within 3 h after blood collection from rabbit carotid artery, and all the test drugs were at the concentration range of 25-350 μg/mL. Finally, HPLC-DAD was employed for the quantitative determination of seven main components in TAE.

RESULTS

Five alkaloids, identified as glaucine, dehydrocorydaline, canadine, tetrahydrocoptisine and corydaline, can be specifically extracted with platelets. The results indicated that all these five alkaloids can inhibit thrombin-induced platelet aggregation in a low dose (IC₅₀ of glaucine, dehydrocorydaline, canadine, tetrahydrocoptisine and corydaline were 49.057, 34.914, 33.547, 84.261 and 54.164 μg/mL, respectively) as compared to TAE (IC₅₀=175.426 μg/mL) and aspirin (IC₅₀=300.340 μg/mL), while the unbound compounds (palmatine and tetrahydropalmatine) had a very weak antiplatelet effect (IC₅₀>200 μg/mL).

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

This study is the first reported work for antiplatelet components screening in Rhizoma Corydalis. Seven compounds were detected and identified by HPLC-DAD/LC-MS, of which five platelet-targeted compounds were discovered.

Study on pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution of the isocorydine derivative (AICD) in rats by HPLC-DAD method

A simple and effective high-performance liquid chromatography with diode-array detection method coupled with a liquid-liquid extraction pretreatment has been developed for determining the pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution of a novel structurally modified derivative (8-acetamino-isocorydine) of isocorydine. According to the in vivo experiments data calculations by DAS 2.0 software, a two-compartment metabolic model was suitable for describing the pharmacokinetic of 8-acetamino-isocorydine in rats. 8-Acetamino-isocorydine was absorbed well after oral administration, and the absolute bioavailability was 76.5%. The half-life of 8-acetamino-isocorydine after intravenous and oral administration was 2.2 h and 2.0 h, respectively. In vivo, 8-acetamino-isocorydine was highly distributed in the lungs, kidney and liver; however, relatively little entered the brain, suggesting that 8-acetamino-isocorydine could not easily pass through the blood brain barrier. Our work describes the first characterization of the pharmacokinetic parameters and tissue distribution of 8-acetamino-isocorydine. The acquired data will provide useful information for the in vivo pharmacology of 8-acetamino-isocorydine, and can be applied to new drug research.

Simultaneous determination of structurally diverse compounds in different Fangchi species by UHPLC-DAD and UHPLC-ESI-MS/MS

Two bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloids, two morphine alkaloids, one aporphine alkaloid, syringaresinol and aristolochic acid І were selected as marker compounds and simultaneously analyzed using an ultra-high pressure liquid chromatography-diode array detection (UHPLC-DAD) method. These marker compounds were used for the quality control of Fangchi species of different origins, including Sinomeniumacutum, Stephaniatetrandra, Cocculustrilobus and Aristolochiafangchi. A reversed-phase UHPLC-DAD method was developed and validated for the simultaneous quantification of structurally diverse markers in different Fangchi species. In addition, an UHPLC-electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (ESI-MS/MS) method was used for marker identification in Fangchi species, which provided diagnostic MS/MS spectral patterns that were dependent upon the marker structures. The UHPLC-MS/MS data were used to confirm and complement the UHPLC-DAD quality evaluation results. Additionally, magnoflorine and syringaresinol were observed for the first time in S. tetrandra and C. trilobus, respectively. Twenty different Fangchi species samples were analyzed for aristolochic acid I, syringaresinol and the alkaloids using the UHPLC-DAD and MS/MS method. Based on the levels of markers and principal component analysis (PCA), this method allowed for the clear classification of the samples into four different groups representing samples originating from the four species.

Identification of structurally diverse alkaloids in Corydalis species by liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry

RATIONALE

Alkaloids with significant therapeutic effects are the main active constituents of Corydalis (C.) species. There are several kinds of alkaloids in C. species associated with diverse alkaloid metabolism in plants, but they are rarely identified. This study aimed to identify diverse alkaloids in C. species by liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (LC/ESI-MS/MS).

METHODS

Several types of alkaloids were extracted from C. species using ultrasonication with 70% CH(3)OH, and the extract was partitioned at pH 2 and 12. Separation of alkaloids was achieved by C18 high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and MS/MS analysis was conducted by electrospray ionization triple-quadrupole mass spectrometry. For further confirmation, LC/Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance (FTICR)-MS was used to obtain accurate mass data and gas chromatography (GC)/MS combined with trimethylsilyl derivatization was applied for identification of the minor alkaloids.

RESULTS

Thirty-three alkaloids among three different C. species were successfully separated and identified by LC/ESI-MS/MS and LC/FTICR-MS. Structural assignment of individual alkaloids was performed according to MS/MS spectral patterns. For further confirmation, accurate mass data of alkaloids by LC/FTICR-MS were obtained within 5 ppm and the GC/MS data for the trimethylsilyl alkaloids were also obtained. Among 33 alkaloids identified from this study, 13 alkaloids were reported for the first time in the investigated C. species.

CONCLUSIONS

The LC/ESI-MS/MS technique was effective in obtaining structural information and yielded diagnostic ions for diverse alkaloids. Based on the identified 33 alkaloids, marker compounds were suggested for the three C. species with different geographic origins. This study may also be useful for elucidating unknown alkaloids in herbal medicines.