Investigation and predictive analysis on Q-marker of Ziziphi Spinosae Semen based on human intestinal microbiota transformation / 中草药

ABSTRACT

Objective: The aim of this work was to investigate the quality markers (Q-markers) of Ziziphi Spinosae Semen (ZSS) based on biotransformation by human intestinal microbiota. Methods: In this study, in vitro biotransformation of ZSS aqueous extract by normal human intestinal microbiota was analyzed using UPLC-Q-Orbitrap-MS. Furthermore, the time course of the biotransformation was studied to probe into the biotransformation mechanism of compounds in ZSS by human intestinal flora. The change rules of flavonoids, saponins and alkaloids in the incubation solution at different time points were plotted based on the percentage of peak area of compounds. Results: A total of 31 original ingredients and four metabolites were characterized in transformed ZSS aqueous extract by human intestinal microbiota. No obvious degradation was observed for benzylisoquinoline alkaloids within 24 h. As far as flavones concerned, a wide range of metabolic reactions as well as significant reaction were shown. Meanwhile, these flavonoids were completely degraded during 24 h. In addition, both jujuboside A and jujuboside B were metabolized to their saponins by deglycosylation reactions. Thus, coclaurine, zizyphusine, kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside, spinosin, vicenin II, jujuboside A, and jujuboside B were referred as prospective Q-markers. Conclusion: The results indicated that the chemical compounds in ZSS were obviously affected by transformation. Intestinal transformation studies play an important role for the elucidation of therapeutic material basis of ZSS and it should be taken into account during the process of the investigation of Q-marker.