Untargeted metabonomics study of ginseng in treatment of spleen-Qi deficiency / 中国中药杂志

Ginseng has been used to treat Qi-deficiency syndrome up to now, while the therapeutic mechanism is still unclear. In order to explore the mechanism of ginseng in the treatment of Qi-deficiency constitution, the untargeted metabonomics with blood was studied based on rapid resolution high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry(RRLC-Q-TOF-MS). In the results, 13 potential biomarkers were found and identified, which mainly involved in the body's antioxidant and immune functions and energy, glycerol, fatty acid, sugar metabolism and bile acid metabolism. The results of blood biochemical analysis also indicated that ginseng could regulate the body's energy metabolism, immune functions and antioxidant capacity in spleen-Qi deficiency constitution. This study revealed the mechanism of ginseng in the treatment of spleen-Qi deficiency using the blood metabonomics, which could provide technological support and scientific basis for further research on ginseng treatment of Qi-deficiency.

Rapid analysis on chemical constituents in Qige Keli by RRLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS / 中国中药杂志

The qualitative analysis method of RRLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS was established for determine the chemical constituents in Qige Keli. Kramosil C₁₈ column (4.6 mm×150 mm, 3.5 μm) was used at the temperature of 30 °C. The mobile phase was 0.2% formic acid and acetonitrile by gradient elution, with a flow rate at 1.0 mL·min⁻¹, and the injection volume was 10 μL. The high-resolution quadrupole time-flight mass spectrometry was used as detector with electrospray ion source in both positive and negative models. On the basis of medicinal materials, reference materials, literature reports, and mass spectrometry data, the chemical composition in the Qige Keli was identified. A total of 44 compounds were identified, including 3 flavonoids, 21 flavonoid glycosides, 8 organic acids, 6 lactones, and 3 saponins. The results laid the foundation for the quality control of Qige Keli and the further research on pharmacodynamic materials.

Intervention effect of Captopril on serum of spontaneous hypertension rats based on metabonomic research / 中国药理学通报

Aims To analyze the intervention effect of Captopril on serum endogenous metabolites alternations in spontaneous hypertension rats ( SHR) and to investi-gate possible therapeutic mechanism .Methods The rapid resolution liquid chromatography/quadrupole-time of flight tandem mass spectrometry ( RRLC-Q-TOF-MS) and technology coupled with partial least squares discriminant analysis ( PLS-DA ) processed by SIMCA-P software were used to distinguish significantly different variables and identify potential biomarkers . Results Compared to the normal group , metabolic profiling changed significantly in model group and Cap-toril group .Totally 4 metabolins and their metabolic pathways were detected , which were closely related to the endothelial function .Conclusion Metabolomics reveals possible therapeutic mechanism of Captopril for protecting endothelial function from overall metabolism of the body .It also shows unique potential in terms of interpretation of the complex mechanisms of drugs .

Metabolomics study of Erzhi pills on acute hepatic injury induced by CCl4 in rats / 中国药学杂志

OBJECTIVE: To observe the plasma metabolic changes of rats after acute hepatic injury induced by CCl4 and the regulating action of Erzhi pills (EZW, traditonal Chinese medicines) on abnormal metabolism, and to find the potential biomarkers. And to explore the mechanisms of Erzhi pills in treatment of acute hepatic injury induced by CCl4. METHODS: Endogenous metabolites in plasma were determined with RRLC-Q-TOF/MS. RESULTS: Nine potential metabolic biomarkers were identified qualitatively. Two metabolic pathways were identified using ingenuity pathway analysis (IPA). CONCLUSION: Changed metabolites can be recovered by Erzhi pills in different degrees, and the treatment effect of Erzhi pills may be related with the regulation of two metabolic pathways. Unique pathway analysis may be effective in drug-target identification, which helps to further understand mechanism of drug action, and improve research efficiency.

Effect of Ampelopsis Radix on dissolution of main chemical constituents in Aconiti Radix Cocta based on RRLC-Q-TOF-MS technology / 中草药

Objective: Under the guidance of eighteen antagonisms of Chinese materia medica, to analyze the effect of Aconiti Radix Cocta combined with Ampelopsis Radix in different ratios on the characteristic constituents and to explore the in vitro compatibility mechanism of Aconiti Radix Cocta and Ampelopsis Radix. Methods: A certain weight of Aconiti Radix Cocta was combined with various amounts of Ampelopsis Radix, and a rapid resolution liquid chromatography coupled with quadruple-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (RRLC-Q-TOF-MS) method based on chemical profiling approach was used to determine the content of alkaloids in decoctions and sediments. The aconitine alkaloids were established and were subjected to PLS-DA and ANOVA to provide intergroup difference and distribution characteristics. In addition, the method of UV spectrophotometer was adopted to determine the content of starch and tannins in Ampelopsis Radix. Results: There were certain differences among each group, especially between the single Aconiti Radix Cocta and Aconiti Radix Cocta combined with Ampelopsis Radix at the ratio of 1:3. With the increasing of the ratio of Ampelopsis Radix in the combination, the content of alkaloids appeared to increase in the decoction while decrease in the sediment. After determination, the mass fractions of starch and tannic acid in Ampelopsis Radix were 25.44% and 0.31%, respectively. Conclusion: The aconitine alkaloids could be deposited with the starch in Ampelopsis Radix, meanwhile decreased in the decoction, which establishes the foundation for the further research on the chemical mechanism of Aconiti Radix Cocta combined with Ampelopsis Radix.