Phytochemical Analysis最新文献

Introduction: Cistanche deserticola Ma (CD), an edible and medicinal plant native to Xinjiang, Inner Mongolia, and Gansu in China, is rich in bioactive polysaccharides known for their health-promoting properties. The polysaccharides of C. deserticola (CDPs) have been shown to possess a range of beneficial activities, including immunomodulatory, anti-aging, antioxidant, and anti-osteoporosis effects.

Objective: This study seeks to identify the optimal conditions for extracting CDPs using hot water. Additionally, it aims to evaluate their chemical properties, antioxidant activity, hypoglycemic effects, and cytotoxicity. The findings will provide a theoretical foundation for the potential use of CDPs in functional foods and pharmaceuticals.

Methodology: The study employed response surface methodology to optimize the hot water extraction conditions for CDPs. The extracted CDPs were characterized using a range of chemical, spectroscopic, and instrumental analyses. Furthermore, their antioxidant activity, hypoglycemic effects, and cytotoxicity were evaluated through relevant assays to assess their potential health benefits.

Results: Under optimal conditions, the yield of CDPs was 45.85% ± 1.91%. CDPs were identified as acidic heteropolysaccharides with a wide molecular weight distribution, ranging from 0.3 to 128.2 kDa. They were composed primarily of glucose (51.21%), arabinose (32.86%), galactose (17.88%), and smaller amounts of galacturonic acid (4.66%), rhamnose (1.85%), mannose (1.32%), glucosamine hydrochloride (1.08%), and xylose (0.56%). Antioxidant assays demonstrated that CDPs exhibited significant free radical scavenging activity, metal ion chelation, and reducing power. Additionally, CDPs inhibited α-glucosidase and α-amylase in vitro through a mixed-type mechanism, as well as static fluorescence quenching. Cytotoxicity assays showed that CDPs were nontoxic to L02 and AML12 cells.

Conclusion: This study offers a theoretical foundation for the potential use of CDPs in functional foods and pharmaceuticals and provides valuable insights for the development of new antioxidant and hypoglycemic agents from natural sources.

Introduction: Black rice (Oryza sativa L.) has gained prominence as a functional food because of its rich content of anthocyanins and polyphenols, offering potential health benefits. However, comprehensive research addressing the diverse anthocyanin compositions in black rice cultivars remains limited.

Objective: This study aimed to quantify anthocyanin contents, specifically kuromanin, cyanidin-3-glucoside, peonidin-3-O-glucoside, peonidin-3-glucoside chloride, and cyanidin-3-rutinoside chloride, in 150 rice varieties sourced from the North Eastern Region of India using a robust high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) method.

Materials and methods: Rice grains of varying colors-black, orange-reddish, and white-were subjected to methanol extraction under dark conditions through cold maceration for 72 h. The resulting extracts underwent separation on HPTLC silica gel 60 F₂₅₄ plates utilizing an optimized mobile phase of ethyl acetate, 2-butanol, formic acid, and water (9:6:3:3::v/v/v/v).

Results: Anthocyanins were found to be present, and they were most visible in white light compared with UV light at 254 and 366 nm. They were analyzed via densitometry under white light illumination in transmission mode following development. Notably, anthocyanins were absent in grains of white and orange-reddish rice varieties, except for specific lines of Joha (JN 71, JN 83, JN 77, and JN 78) and all black rice variants. Among these, BR 15 exhibited the highest kuromanin content (74.14 ± 0.82 μg/mg), while BR8 showcased the highest peonidin-3-glucoside chloride concentration (27.59 ± 0.83 μg/mg).

Conclusion: This comprehensive analysis provides detailed insights into the anthocyanin compositions of 15 significant black rice cultivars, offering crucial data for breeding programs targeting enhanced anthocyanin-rich cultivars and the development of functional foods.

Introduction: The metabolome of plants is influenced by various factors, especially environmental, as the season in which they are grown. So, distinct varieties of the identical plant might show an increase or decrease in metabolites. The diversity of content of primary and secondary metabolites can also determine the variation in their biological properties. Due to the current occurrence of various fennel varieties, the crop can now be grown for the entire year.

Objective: This work used an integrated approach of LC/MS and NMR analysis to characterize the metabolome of fennel waste of different varieties by multivariate statistical analysis.

Methods: The extracts were investigated by NMR and LC/MS analysis to focus attention on the primary and secondary metabolites. Both LC-HRMS and NMR data were analyzed by principal component analysis (PCA).

Results: The ¹H-NMR analysis led to the identification of 15 primary metabolites, such as amino acids, carbohydrates, and organic acid derivatives. The secondary metabolites identified by LC/MS analysis mainly belong to the phenolic, lipid, and fatty acid compounds classes.

Conclusion: This integrated approach guarantees a precise and complete overview of the variations in the metabolic expression of the fennel varieties grown in different seasons.

Objectives: The quality of 30 batches of the Tibetan Dracocephali tangutici Herba was evaluated using HPLC fingerprinting and DNA sequences.

Methods: Botanical identification of 30 batches of D. tangutici herba was conducted using the DNA barcoding approach, specifically analyzing the ITS and rbcL sequences. HPLC fingerprints of Tibetan Dracocephali tangutici Herba were established. The quality of 30 batches of D. tangutici herba was comprehensively evaluated using principal component analysis (PCA), orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA), and entropy weighting method (EWM) combined with grey relation analysis (GRA).

Results: The botanical provenance of all 30 batches of herbs was proven to be Dracocephali tangutici Maxim. using DNA barcoding techniques, namely, ITS sequence and rbcL sequence testing. A total of 17 common peaks were chosen from the HPLC fingerprinting analysis. Among these, three peaks were recognized by comparing them with three reference standards: chlorogenic acid, cryptochlorogenic acid, and salvianolic acid B. The similarity scores of the 30 batches of D. tangutici herba varied between 0.846 and 0.991. The 30 batches of samples were categorized into two groups using PCA. The findings from OPLS-DA indicated that chlorogenic acid and four flavonoids could be the crucial components for evaluating the quality of D. tangutici herba. Additionally, the combined evaluation results of EWM and GRA suggested that the quality of the 30 batches of samples varied significantly.

Conclusion: The results of this study can provide a reference basis for the development of quality standards for D. tangutici herba in Tibet.

Introduction: Farfarae Flos is widely used as a traditional herbal medicine. Currently, its size has been the primary grading criterion used in market circulation. Whether this empirical criterion can accurately reflect the quality of the medicinal material has not been systematically studied.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the quality of Farfarae Flos from different regions based on their grades.

Methods: Ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-ESI-Q/TOF-MS/MS) were applied to study the chemical constituents of Farfarae Flos; high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to quantify the content of Farfarae Flos samples. Meanwhile, fingerprint analysis and chemometric methods, including principal component analysis (PCA) and analysis of variance (ANOVA), were used to evaluate the quality differences among 33 batches of Farfarae Flos samples of different grades.

Results: A total of 95 individual components were identified in Farfarae Flos. Fingerprint analysis revealed 23 common peaks, with fingerprint similarity among the 33 batches ranging from 0.838 to 0.995. PCA divided the 33 batches of Farfarae Flos into three categories based on their grades. ANOVA indicated significant differences in five of the 14 main active components across different grades of Farfarae Flos, with two components showing extremely significant differences. HPLC content determination showed that the content of 11 main active components was positively correlated with the grades of Farfarae Flos.

Conclusion: This method is straightforward, efficient, and reliable, offering a valuable reference for establishing quality grading standards and ensuring the quality control of Farfarae Flos.

Introduction: Aqueous stem bark extracts of Aspidosperma rigidum Rusby, Couroupita guianensis Aubl., Monteverdia laevis (Reissek) Biral, and Protium sagotianum Marchand have been reported as traditional remedies in several countries of the Amazonian region. Despite previous research, further investigation to characterize secondary metabolites and the biological activity of extracts is needed to derive potential applications.

Material and methods: Metabolic profiling was carried out using liquid and gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS and GC-MS). The chemical composition of the studied plants was further compared by principal component analysis (PCA). Additionally, chemical profiles were correlated with antimicrobial and toxicity activities, which suggested potential metabolites for future research.

Results: We identified 16 and 32 compounds by UHPLC-MS/MS and GC-MS analysis, respectively. Antimicrobial activity was detected in three stem bark extracts. C. guianensis showed inhibition of all tested microorganisms, including antibiotic-resistant strains. Molecular networking approaches, in silico tools, and Pearson's correlation showed that antifungal compounds could be a terpene glycoside (r = 0.918) and/or a phenolic (r = 0.882) metabolite class.

Conclusion: This study highlights the use of the established procedure in exploring the metabolomes of these species, which could be a novel source of antimicrobial drug discovery. Coupling the observed biological potential with UHPLC-MS/MS data has also accelerated the tracing of their bioactive compounds. These findings update the state of the art regarding the chemical composition and biological activity of the plant extracts, defining potential new applications for the pharmaceutical applications.

Introduction: Angelica sinensis is one of the most popular traditional Chinese medicines (TCM) and has been extensively used to treat various diseases. Hundreds of endogenous ingredients have been isolated and identified from this herb, but their spatial distribution within the plant root is largely unknown.

Objectives: In this study, we tried to investigate and map within-tissue spatial distribution of metabolites in Angelica sinensis roots.

Material and methods: After optimization of experiment conditions, the 1,5-diaminonaphthalene (1,5-DAN) was chosen as the matrix and was sprayed on the surface of root sections. Then matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry imaging (MALDI-MSI) was employed to perform in situ detection and obtain detail spatial distribution information of metabolites in Angelica sinensis roots.

Results: The spatial distributions of a wide range of metabolites including organic acids, amino acids, oligosaccharides, and phospholipids were characterized and visualized in Angelica sinensis roots. Majority of these metabolites were located in the phloem and xylem, while ferulic acid was mainly present in the cork layer. The results revealed a dramatic metabolic heterogeneity among different regions of the roots and distinct spatial distribution patterns of different metabolites. Additionally, the metabolic pathways involved in the biosynthesis of choline were also successfully localized and visualized.

Conclusion: This study comprehensively characterized the spatial distribution of metabolites in Angelica sinensis roots, which would prompt the understanding of its chemical separation, biosynthesis, and pharmacological activities.

Introduction: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease that primarily manifests with symptoms such as heat and toxin. However, the key components and molecular mechanisms of Zhizi Baipi decoction (ZBD) in the treatment of RA are still unclear.

Objectives: The study aimed to explore the mechanism of action of ZBD for treating RA through ingredient analysis, network pharmacology, and experimental validation.

Material and methods: The chemical constituents of ZBD were identified by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled with Q-TOF-mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF-MS^E). Additionally, the active ingredients of ZBD treating RA were screened by network pharmacology and using molecular docking to verify the binding energy of the active ingredients and ZBD's targets. Then we elucidated ZBD's mechanism of action on collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) model rats. Subsequently, experimental validations were used to validate the findings of network pharmacology.

Results: A total of 84 chemical constituents was identified by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS^E. The results of network pharmacology indicated that ZBD could exert its therapeutic effect on RA through the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) pathway. Molecular docking revealed a strong binding capacity between the target KDR and the active ingredients. Additionally, we quantified the five active ingredients of ZBD. In vivo experiments demonstrated that ZBD inhibited synovial angiogenesis and alleviated the occurrence and progression of RA.

Conclusion: Overall, ZBD has a significant therapeutic effect on RA. The results of qualitative analysis, network pharmacology, molecular docking, and in vivo experiments indicated that the main active components of ZBD could modulate the VEGF pathway to treat RA.

Introduction: Antimicrobial resistance and free radical-mediated oxidative stress and inflammation involved in many pathological processes have become treatment challenges. One strategy is to search for antimicrobial and antioxidant ingredients from natural aromatic plants. This study established a rapid and high-throughput effect-component analysis method to screen active ingredients from Ligusticum chuanxiong essential oil (CXEO).

Objective: The study aims to screen phthalides with antimicrobial and antioxidant activities from CXEO by high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC)-bioautography combined with HPLC-TOF/MS method.

Methods: Antimicrobial activity was evaluated by disc diffusion and micro broth dilution methods. Antioxidant capacity was performed by DPPH scavenging test. Phthalides in CXEO were identified using HPLC-TOF/MS method. HPTLC-bioautography technique was established to screen phthalides of antifungal and antioxidant activities.

Results: CXEO had significant inhibitory activity against Candida albicans, weak or undetected inhibitory activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. For tested strains of C. albicans, inhibition zone diameters ranged from 13 to 17 mm, and MICs were from 0.5 to 2 mg mL^-1. CXEO also had strong antioxidant activity, IC₅₀ value for scavenging DPPH free radicals was 1.014 ± 0.014 mg mL^-1. Nine phthalides in CXEO were tentatively identified. Ligustilide and senkyunolide A were screened to have both antimicrobial activity against C. albicans and strong DPPH scavenging property.

Conclusion: HPTLC-bioautography-MS-guided strategy is very practical for high-throughput screening of antifungal and antioxidant phthalides from CXEO. In vitro experiments have shown that phthalides and CXEO have good biological activities, which may be used to the treatment of C. albicans infection or oxidative stress damage caused by various diseases. The therapeutic potential should be validated in vivo in the future.