UFLC‑PDA‑MS/MS Profling of Seven Uncaria Species Integrated with Melatonin/5‑Hydroxytryptamine Receptors Agonistic Assay

Uncariae Ramulus Cum Uncis(Gou-Teng),the dried hook-bearing stems of several Uncaria plants(Rubiaceae),is a wellknown herbal medicine in China.The clinical application of Gou-Teng is bewildered for the morphological and chemical similarity between diferent species.In order to discern their chemical and biological diference,an ultra-fast liquid chromatography equipped with ion trap time-of-fight mass spectrometry(UFLC-IT/TOF-MS)combining with melatonin(MT1 and MT2)and 5-hydroxytryptamine(5-HT1A and 5-HT2C)receptors agonistic assay in vitro was conducted on seven Uncaria species.As a result,57 compounds including 35 indole alkaloids,ten favonoids,fve triterpenoids,fve chlorogenic analogues,and two other compounds were characterized based on their MS/MS patterns and UV absorptions.Specifcally,cadambine-type and corynanthein-type alkaloids were exclusively present in U.rhynchophylla and U.scandens,whereas corynoxine-type alkaloids were commonly detected in all the seven Uncaria plants.Three Uncaria species,U.rhynchophylla,U.macrophylla,and U.yunnanensis showed obviously agnostic activity on four neurotransmitter receptors(MT1,MT2,5-HT1A,and 5-HT_(2C)).This frst-time UFLCMS-IT-TOF analyses integrated with biological assay on seven Uncaria plants will provide scientifc viewpoints for the clinical application of Gou-Teng.

Novel 3D preclinical model systems with primary human liver cells: Recent progresses, applications and future prospects

Liver plays a central role in various physiological functions,including metabolism,biliary secretion,production of plasma proteins,regulation of hormones as well as detoxication.Because of its multidimensional functions,liver diseases such as viral hepatitis,non-alcoholic fatty liver disease,non-alcoholic steato-hepatitis,fibrosis and liver cancer may lead to serious consequences.