Applications of HPLC/MS in the analysis of traditional Chinese medicines

In China, traditional Chinese medicines （TCMs） have been used in clinical applications for thousands of years. The successful hyphenation of high-performance liquid chromatography （HPLC） and mass spectrometry （MS） has been applied widely in TCMs and biological samples analysis. Undoubtedly, HPLC/MS technique has facilitated the understanding of the treatment mechanism of TCMs. We reviewed more than 350 published papers within the last 5 years on HPLC/MS in the analysis of TCMs. The present review focused on the applications of HPLC/MS in the component analysis, metabolites analysis, and pharmacokinetics of TCMs etc. 50% of the literature is related to the component analysis of TCMs, which show that this field is the most popular type of research. In the metabolites analysis, HPLC coupled with electrospray ionization quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry has been demonstrated to be the powerful tool for the characterization of structural features and fragmentation behavior patterns. This paper presented a brief overview of the applications of HPLC/MS in the analysis of TCMs. HPLC/MS in the fingerprint analysis is reviewed elsewhere.

Ultrasonic Nebulization Extraction Coupled with Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry for Analysis of Volatile Components in Traditional Chinese Patent Medicine

The ultrasonic nebulization extraction（UNE） was developed and applied to the extraction of volatile components from traditional Chinese patent medicine Xiaoyao Pills. Several parameters of ultrasonic nebulization extraction including the sample particle size, solvent volume, extraction time and ultrasonic power were studied and selected. As a result, 2.4 g of sample with particle size of 80 mesh was extracted with 15 mL of n-hexane for 20 min at an ultrasonic power of 35 W. The volatile components were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry （GC-MS） under the optimal conditions and 57 compounds were identified. The precision, repeatability and stability of the proposed method were also studied. Compared with ultrasonic-assisted extraction（UAE） and hydrodistillation（HD） extraction, the proposed method is more efficient, faster and easier to be operated at room temperature with smaller sample and energy consumption. It is suggested that the ultrasonic nebulization extraction can be used as a novel alternative method for the extraction of volatile components from traditional Chinese patent medicine.

Screening potential mitochondria-targeting compounds from traditional Chinese medicines using a mitochondria-based centrifugal ultrafiltration/liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry method

Mitochondria regulate numerous crucial cell processes, including energy production, apoptotic cell death, oxidative stress, calcium homeostasis and lipid metabolism. Here, we applied an efficient mitochondria-based centrifugal ultrafiltration/liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry（LC/MS） method,also known as screening method for mitochondria-targeted bioactive constituents（SM-MBC）. This method allowed searching natural mitochondria-targeting compounds from traditional Chinese medicines（TCMs）, including Puerariae Radix（PR） and Chuanxiong Radix（CR）. A total of 23 active compounds were successfully discovered from the two TCMs extracts. Among these 23 hit compounds, 17 were identified by LC/MS, 12 of which were novel mitochondria-targeting compounds. Among these, 6 active compounds were analyzed in vitro for pharmacological tests and found able to affect mitochondrial functions. We also investigated the effects of the hit compounds on Hep G2 cell proliferation and on loss of cardiomyocyte viability induced by hypoxia/reoxygenation injury. The results obtained are useful for in-depth understanding of mechanisms underlying TCMs therapeutic effects at mitochondria level and for developing novel potential drugs using TCMs as lead compounds. Finally, we showed that SM-MBC was an efficient protocol for the rapid screening of mitochondria-targeting constituents from complex samples such as PR and CR extracts.

Research Progress of Tea Functional Components in the Prevention and Treatment of Lung Cancer

The incidence and mortality of lung cancer rank first among all malignant tumors,so the prevention and treatment of lung cancer has become a worldwide concern.Tea is one of the most popular healthy drinks in the world.A large number of studies have shown that tea polyphenols,theophylline,tea pigments,theanine,tea polysaccharides and other functional components in tea can promote apoptosis of cancer cells,inhibit proliferation and division of cancer cells,and regulate the expression of tumor-related gene protein through strong antioxidant activity,inhibiting the activity of key enzymes and blocking signal transduction to prevent and treat the occurrence,development and metastasis of lung cancer.In this study,the application of tea in the prevention and treatment of lung cancer was elaborated through the traceability,basic components,basic theory of traditional Chinese medicine,anti-lung cancer mechanism,expert opinions and so on,in order to provide direction for the prevention and treatment of tea and lung cancer.

Gaps and feasibility of fixed-dose combination strategy in the development of modern Chinese medicine

isTraditional Chinese medicine(TCM)is a highly complex chemical substance system,which not only reflected in the complexity of the chemical components and their interrelationships,but also in the intricacy of the prescription’s connection with the human body.Component compatibility strategy has been proposed for developing modern TCM since 2005 and established comprehensive relevant technologies and research approaches.Moreover,to meet the safety and efficacy of current pharmaceuticals,research on fixed-dose combination drugs is directed by modern scientific theories,conforms to TCM compatibility principles and clarifies material basis and pharmacological mechanisms and component-effect correlations.This review summarized gaps and feasibility of fixed-dose combination strategy in the development of modern TCM research and assessed their advantages and disadvantages in light of contemporary drug combination research practices.

Characterization of multiple chemical components of GuiLingJi by UHPLC-MS and ^(1)H NMR analysis

GuiLingJi(GLJ),a classic traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)formula,is composed of over 20 herbs,according to the Pharmacopeia of the People's Republic of China.Owing to its various activities,GLJ has been used in clinical settings for more than 400 years in China.However,the ambiguous chemical material basis limits the development of studies on the quality control and pharmacological mechanisms of GLJ.Therefore,comprehensive characterization of the multiple chemical components of GLJ is of great significance for the modernization of this formula.Given the great variety of herbs in GLJ,both UHPLCMS and ^(1)H NMR techniques were employed in this study.In addition,solvent extraction with different polarities was used to eliminate signal interference and the concentration of trace components.A variety of MS analytic methods were also used,including implementation of a self-built compound database,diagnostic ion filtering,mass defect filtering,and Compound Discoverer 3.0 analysis software.Based on the above strategies,a total of 150 compounds were identified,including 5 amino acids,13 phenolic acids and glycosides,11 coumarins,72 flavones,20 triterpenoid and triterpenoid saponins,23 fatty acids,and 6 other compounds.Moreover,13 compounds were identified by ^(1)H NMR spectroscopy.The UHPLC-MS and ^(1)H NMR results supported and complemented each other.This strategy provides a rapid approach to analyzing and identifying the chemical composition of Chinese herbal prescriptions.The current study provides basis for further research on the quality control and pharmacological mechanism of GLJ.

Tocolysis Effects of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Their Effective Components

Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)for anti-abortion is based on the theory of gynecology of TCM,which aims to prevent and treat abdominal pain during pregnancy,fetal leakage,uneasy fetal movement,and fetal atrophy.Because of the complexity of the ingredients of Chinese Materia Medica,and the imprecise intervention mechanism for tocolysis,further investigation about the effects of Chinese herbs and their components on tocolysis by utilizing advanced technologies is required to be made.All the information available about TCM and its effects on pregnant women and fetuses was collected via electronic search using Web of Science,PubMed,and CNKI,and a library search was performed to locate classic herbal medicine books.The active ingredients in TCM were screened with the help of Traditional chinese medicine systems pharmacology database and analysis platform(TCMSP).The keywords being used included herbal names,pharmacology,pregnancy,threatened abortion,and fetus.Modern pharmacological studies have shown that TCM mainly prevents threatened abortion by a direct effect on the pregnant woman’s immune system,sex hormones such as estrogen and progesterone,the uterus and the endometrium,and the decidual tissue such as the placenta.It may also address pregnancy complications due to advanced maternal age,infection,polycystic ovary syndrome,diabetes,and mental disorders caused by threat of a miscarriage.TCM protects against spontaneous miscarriage,but its mechanisms are largely unknown.This research applies scientific methods to characterize and examine the effective components of TCM and their application to lower the risk of abortion to the pregnant women and fetuses.

Accurate construction of cell membrane biomimetic graphene nanodecoys via purposeful surface engineering to improve screening efficiency of active components of traditional Chinese medicine

Biomimetic nanoengineering presents great potential in biomedical research by integrating cell membrane(CM) with functional nanoparticles. However, preparation of CM biomimetic nanomaterials for custom applications that can avoid the aggregation of nanocarriers while maintaining the biological activity of CM remains a challenge. Herein, a high-performance CM biomimetic graphene nanodecoy was fabricated via purposeful surface engineering, where polyethylene glycol(PEG) was used to modifying magnetic graphene oxide(MGO) to improve its stability in physiological solution, so as to improve the screening efficiency to active components of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM). With this strategy, the constructed PEGylated MGO(PMGO) could keep stable at least 10 days, thus improving the CM coating efficiency. Meanwhile, by taking advantage of the inherent ability of He La cell membrane(HM) to interact with specific ligands, HM-camouflaged PMGO showed satisfied adsorption capacity(116.2 mg/g) and selectivity. Finally, three potential active components, byakangelicol, imperatorin,and isoimperatorin, were screened from Angelica dahurica, whose potential antiproliferative activity were further validated by pharmacological studies. These results demonstrated that the purposeful surfaceengineering is a promising strategy for the design of efficient CM biomimetic nanomaterials, which will promote the development of active components screening in TCM.

Bioactive constituents of animal-derived traditional Chinese medicinal materials for breast cancer:opportunities and challenges

Breast cancer is globally the most common invasive cancer in women and remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths.Surgery,radiotherapy,chemotherapy,immunotherapy,and endocrine therapy are currently the main treatments for this cancer type.However,some breast cancer patients are prone to drug resistance related to chemotherapy or immunotherapy,resulting in limited treatment efficacy.Consequently,traditional Chinese medicinal materials(TCMMs)as natural products have become an attractive source of novel drugs.In this review,we summarized the current knowledge on the active components of animal-derived TCMMs,including Ophiocordyceps sinensis-derived cordycepin,the aqueous and ethanolic extracts of O.sinensis,norcantharidin(NCTD),Chansu,bee venom,deer antlers,Ostrea gigas,and scorpion venom,with reference to marked anti-breast cancer effects due to regulating cell cycle arrest,proliferation,apoptosis,metastasis,and drug resistance.In future studies,the underlying mechanisms for the antitumor effects of these components need to be further investigated by utilizing multi-omics technologies.Furthermore,large-scale clinical trials are necessary to validate the efficacy of bioactive constituents alone or in combination with chemotherapeutic drugs for breast cancer treatment.

Discrimination of Wild-Grown and Cultivated <i>Ganoderma lucidum</i>by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy and Chemometric Methods

Wild-grown Ganoderma lucidum (G. lucidum), a traditional Chinese herbal medicine, is highly cherished and expensive for its medicinal efficiency. This study targets the development of an accurate and effective analytical method to distinguish wild-grown G. lucidum from cultivated ones, which are of essential importance for the quality assurance and estimation of its medicinal value. Furthermore, different parts of G. lucidum have been studied to examine the differences between wild-grown and cultivated ones. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) diffuse reflectance spectroscopy combined with the appropriate chemometric method has been proven to be a rapid and powerful tool for discrimination of wild-grown and cultivated G. lucidum with classification accuracy of 98%. The informative spectral absorption bands for discrimination emphasized by the linear diagnostic rule have provided quantitative interpretations of the chemical constituents of wild-grown G. lucidum regarding its anticancer effects.

Metabolomics Analysis of Metabolites in Forsythia suspense Fruit Using UPLC/ESI-Q TRAP-MS/MS

Forsythiae Fructus,the fruit of Forsythia suspense is a traditional Chinese hebal medicine that has the antiviral and antioxidant effects in China.Modern analytical chemistry studies showed that the extracts of Forsythiae Fructus contain many bioactive components,such as flavonoids,lignans,phenolic acids,and terpenoids,which can be used to anti-inflammatory and treat toxicity,tonsillitis,ulcers,pharyngitis and acute nephritis.In order to study the types and quantities of metabolites in Forsythiae Fructus,we isolated,identified and analysed metabolites between two varieties of Forsythiae Fructus using UPLC/ESI-Q TRAP-MS/MS.The results showed that a total of 407 metabolites were identified in Forsythiae Fructus using UPLC/ESI-Q TRAP-MS/MS,including 21 terpenoids,68 phenolic acids,63 flavonoids,43 amino acids and derivatives,22 alkaloids,55 lipids,24 lignans and coumarins,31 nucleotides and derivatives,29 organic acids,and 51 other metabolites.Among,lignans and coumarins,terpenoids,organic acids,lipids,and phenolic acids were rich in Forsythiae Fructus,which accounted for more than 60%of the total metabolite content.Differential metabolite analysis revealed that 80 metabolites differed significantly between the two types of Forsythiae Fructus.Our results greatly enrich the Forsythiae Fructus phytochemical composition database and provide valuable information for further study of the metabolites of Forsythiae Fructus.

中药单体靶向mTOR治疗肺癌的研究进展

综述中药单体靶向哺乳动物雷帕霉素靶蛋白(mTOR)治疗肺癌的研究进展。mTOR是一种重要的细胞信号通路,参与调控细胞生长、增殖和存活等过程;在肺癌中,mTOR信号通路的异常活化与肿瘤的发生和发展密切相关。研究发现,许多中药单体成分(萜类、黄酮类、生物碱类、多酚类、醌类等)具有抑制mTOR信号通路的作用,为开发肺癌新药提供了前期基础。

基于主成分分析法优选半夏散剂粒度范围

目的:探究天南星科植物半夏生品及炮制品的中药散剂粒度对药材质量的影响,并优选出最佳粒度工艺。方法:首先对不同粒度的半夏生品及炮制品散剂中多个活性成分(尿嘧啶、次黄嘌呤、黄嘌呤、尿苷、鸟苷)含量进行检测,再利用主成分分析法对检测数据进行处理,计算不同散剂的综合评价指标值,并构建回归模型,通过模型函数优选出不同散剂的最佳粒度。结果:通过分析最终得到的最优散剂粒度为:生半夏散过6号药典筛、市售炮制品过7号药典筛、自制炮制品过9号药典筛。结论:本实验方法可靠,以粒度作为因素,结合成分含量数据基于主成分分析法可作为中药散剂的质量评价标准。

正交偏最小二乘法探析大承气汤治疗急性胰腺炎多成分多药效关系

目的/意义分析大承气汤治疗急性胰腺炎实验数据,证实多成分多药效关系。方法/过程运用正交偏最小二乘法,分别探析配伍药味、煎煮液的药物成分、血液的药物成分与药效指标的关系。结果/结论配伍药味与药效指标之间、煎煮液的药物成分与药效指标之间、血液的药物成分与药效指标之间均存在一对多、多对一、多对多的作用关系。实验分析结果表明大承气汤治疗急性胰腺炎呈现多成分多药效的特点。

肥大细胞在哮喘发生发展中的作用机制及中医药调控作用

哮喘在中医学中属于哮病、喘症的范畴,是以气道平滑肌收缩、免疫细胞浸润和气道重塑等为特征的气道炎症疾病。肥大细胞为非特异性免疫细胞,在哮喘的形成和发展中扮演关键角色。中医药对哮喘的防治具有独特优势,但具体机制尚不明确。通过对相关研究综述后发现,肥大细胞活化后释放的组胺、蛋白酶、细胞因子等介质在哮喘气道损伤及重塑的病理过程中起重要作用。此外,中药复方制剂、单味中药及其活性成分、中成药及中医外治法等中医药方法可通过调节肥大细胞活化,抑制多种炎症介质和细胞因子的表达,进而发挥对哮喘的治疗作用。

早期高血压弦脉脉象特点及其瞬时波强技术参数特征分析

目的:应用瞬时波强(WI)技术探测早期高血压弦脉患者颈总动脉各参数,分析早期高血压弦脉的脉象特点;提取弦脉脉象判别的特征参数,探讨早期高血压弦脉患者颈总动脉WI参数的特点,以期为弦脉的精准分型及信息解读提供客观依据。方法:选择52例早期原发性高血压弦脉、50例生理性弦脉、50例平脉受试者,分析其颈总动脉的WI参数,总结早期高血压弦脉的脉象特点,并运用SIMCA14.1统计软件提取脉象分型的主参数。结果:早期高血压弦脉组与平脉组及生理性弦脉组比较,瞬时加速度波强(W1)、负向波面积(NA)值增高,W1-W2间期降低(均P<0.01);而平脉组与生理性弦脉组W1、NA、W1-W2间期比较,差异均无统计学意义(均P>0.05)。平脉组、生理性弦脉组、早期高血压弦脉组的血管压力应变弹性模量(EP)、脉搏波传导速度(PWV)、血管硬化参数(β)数值均逐渐增高(均P<0.01)。平脉组血管顺应性(AC)高于其他2组(均P<0.01),生理性弦脉组AC高于早期高血压弦脉组(P<0.05)。3组R-W1间期比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。基于主成分分析(PCA)和正交偏最小二乘法判别分析(OPLS-DA),生理性弦脉组与平脉组样本区分明显,表明2组WI各参数比较差异均有统计学意义(均P<0.05),特征性的WI参数[投影重要性(VIP值)>1]为EP、PWV、β、AC,其中贡献率为EP>PWV>β>AC。基于PCA和OPLS-DA,生理性弦脉组与早期高血压弦脉组样本区分明显,表明2组WI各参数差异均有统计学意义(均P<0.05),特征性的WI参数(VIP值>1)为EP、PWV、NA、W1、β,其中贡献率为EP>PWV>NA>W1>β。结论:区分早期高血压弦脉组与生理性弦脉组的WI特征性参数为EP、PWV、β、NA、W1。区分平脉组与生理性弦脉组特征性参数为EP、PWV、β、AC。WI技术可为脉象的精准分型和信息解读提供客观依据,值得进一步推广应用。

中药功效成分在化妆品中的应用

中药成分来源较广、功效多样且副作用小,使其在化妆品领域具有巨大的发展潜力。介绍了常见皮肤问题的修复方式和作用机制,综述了近年来国内外学者对黄酮类、多糖类、萜类等常见中药有效成分的研究进展。最后总结了我国中药在化妆品领域现存的问题并给出相应的改进建议,并对今后中药在化妆品中的发展与进步做出了展望。

病毒性肺炎中药网络药理学初探

病毒性肺炎对全球人民的身体健康构成了极大威胁,中医药在其治疗过程中发挥着举足轻重的作用,目前从分子层面上的作用机制尚不明确。文章聚焦于病毒性肺炎的病症特点及其治疗,探讨中药潜力与网络药理学应用;介绍病毒性肺炎的基本概况、流行病学特征及病理机制;评述中药发展历史和现代研究进展;进一步强调网络药理学在解析中药成分作用机制方面的新视角;结合网络药理学的病毒性肺炎中药研究现状、挑战和未来方向进行概述,旨在推动传统中医药与现代科技整合,创新病毒性肺炎治疗方法。

GC-MS分析大莪术根茎挥发油成分

文章分析了大莪术根茎挥发性成分,并探究不同加工方法对其成分的影响,为大莪术的加工工艺筛选和进一步的研究开发提供实验依据。利用冷冻干燥和真空干燥处理新鲜的大莪术根茎样品,采用水蒸气蒸馏法提取大莪术挥发油,应用GC毛细管柱进行分离、质谱检测、面积归一化法测定相对含量,分析其挥发性化学成分。由于不同干燥方法加工大莪术根茎挥发油的组分绝大部分相同,但是相对含量存在一定差异。实验证明,大莪术根茎主要含有表莪术呋喃烯酮、β-榄香烯、β-桉叶醇、吉马酮、莪术双环烯酮、蓬莪术环氧酮、莪术烯、β-石竹烯等挥发性成分,均具有一定的生理活性,具有广泛的开发前景。

Cell membrane chromatography and its application in the analysis of bioactive ingredients of TCMs

Traditional Chinese medicines （TCMs） have a long history of clinical testing and reliable therapeutic efficacy. They have attracted international attention as excellent sources of bioactive compounds for the discovery of new drugs. However, TCMs usually contain hundreds or even thousands of components and only a few of these compounds are responsible for the pharmacological effects. The large number of components in TCMs makes the analysis and screening for bioactive compounds extremely difficult. Therefore, strategies for analysis and screening of bioactive compounds in TCMs have long been a focus of studies on TCMs. Cell membrane chromatography （CMC） has become a useful tool for studying the bioactive compounds of TCMs. This review summarizes the principles, characteristics, and application of CMC, and the possible problems faced when working with TCMs. This method will likely become increasingly important for screening and analysis of hioactive compounds in TCMs.