Comparative chemical characters of Ziziphi Spinosae Semen from geographical origins of China

Background:Ziziphi Spinosae Semen(ZSS)contains a wide range of active components.Because existingmethods cannot fully evaluate these components,a new quantitative method needs to be established for component characterization.Objective:Ziziphi Spinosae Semen has gained increasing attention in recent years,primarily as a medicinal and edible plant.The content determination of ZSS is not specified in the Chinese Pharmacopeia(2020 edition).Environmental conditions in different production areas can influence the quality of ZSS.This study aims to identify ZSS collected from various geographical origins in China.Materials and methods:High-performance liquid chromatography(HPLC)fingerprints were established using optimized HPLCphoto-diode array methods.Subsequently,similarity analysis and quantification of ZSS from different sources were conducted.Metabolites of ZSS were identified and evaluated using the UHPLC-Q Exactive HF Orbitrap MS system.Principal component analysis,hierarchical cluster analysis,and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis were performed based on all peak areas.Results:In this study,the components of ZSS against insomnia were screened through network pharmacology.As revealed by the results of protein-protein interaction network analysis,Gene Ontology analysis,and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analysis,14 core components,10 core targets,and 25 pathways were identified.Thirty-four batches of ZSS fingerprints were established through the HPLC method,which identified 12 characteristic peaks,with 6 being qualitatively identified.An identification method for assessing differences in the chemical composition of ZSS from different origins was developed by using UHPLC-Q Exactive HF Orbitrap MS.Differential markers from various origins were screened and identified.Through multiple analyses such as principal component analysis and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis,it was concluded that there were differences in ZSS metabolites from Hebei,Shandong,and Shaanxi provinces.Seventeen differential metabolites of different origins were identified.Conclusions:This study confirmed that ZSS played a synergistic role in improving insomnia throughmultiple components,targets,and pathways.The content of all 5 components was high,except for jujuboside B.In addition,6 compounds in ZSS extracts from different origins differed in content,indicating that different growth environments might impact the quality of ZSS.

Preparation, structure characterization, and in vitro bioactivity of yam starch-polyphenol complex

Background:Chinese yam(Dioscorea opposita Thunb.),with medicinal and edible properties,holds a significant position in both traditional medicine and food in China.It is rich in resistant starch(RS),which imparts various beneficial effects,including anticonstipation,regulation of blood lipids,and prevention of gastric ulcers.However,the resistance of native yam starch to digestion diminishes during cooking,necessitating suitable modifications.Objective:In this article,yam starch was complexed with five different polyphenols to create RS5.The goal was to explore how these diverse polyphenols influence the physicochemical characteristics and bioactivities associated with yam RS.Method:Yam starch-polyphenol complexes,involving five different polyphenols,namely,magnolol(MAG),ferulic acid(FA),resveratrol(RES),apple polyphenols(APs),and green tea polyphenols(GTPs),were prepared.The investigation encompassed the assessment of physicochemical properties,structural traits,in vitro cholate binding capacity,and in vitro antidigestive effects of these complexes.Results:The results highlight the pronounced affinity of MAG for yam starch,followed by FA.Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy reveals that starch-polyphenol binding primarily involves noncovalent interactions.X-ray diffraction analysis discloses V-type crystal structures in YS-MAG,YS-APs,and YS-GTPs complexes.The incorporation of polyphenols reduces the thermal stability of starchwhile enhancing its in vitro cholate binding capacity,restraining starch digestion,and elevating RS content.Notably,YS-FA exhibits an impressive RS content of up to 54.15%.In addition,YS-MAG and YS-FA significantly enhance the production of short-chain fatty acids.These findings deepen our comprehension of the interplay between yam starch and polyphenols,offering valuable insights for the development of novel food products with enhanced health benefits.