Discovery and molecular elucidation of the anti-influenza material basis of Banlangen granules based on biological activities and ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole-orbitrap mass spectrometry.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has a wide range of applications, including human healthcare-associated treatments and bioactive compound discovery. However, complex chemical systems present a significant challenge for chemical-material-based research and quality control. For instance, Banlangen (BLG) granules is a well-acknowledged TCM preparation widely used in clinical treatment of virus infection. However, its chemical basis of anti-influenza efficacy remains unclear. AIM OF THE STUDY: In the present study, a systematic discovery strategy for identifying anti-influenza molecules based on biological activities and chemical analysis was established to contribute to the molecular elucidation of the anti-influenza material basis of Banlangen granules. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Hemagglutinase inhibition (HAI) and neuraminidase inhibition (NAI) assays were used to compare the anti-influenza activities of different fractions of BLG granules against H1N1, H5N1 and H7N9 viruses. A comparative qualitative analysis of the chemical constituents in BLG granules and their fractions was performed using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole orbitrap mass spectrometry (UHPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap MS), in which a multiple mass spectrometry database platform and three compound identification strategies were used. The association between anti-influenza activities and chemical constituent characteristics was analyzed using multiple stoichiometries and data comparison strategies. RESULTS: The results showed that the chromatography fractions F3 and F4 of the BLG granules had the highest anti-influenza activity. A total of 88 compounds were identified in the BLG granules, including 31 alkaloids, 16 organic acids, 10 nucleosides, 8 phenylpropanoids, 6 sulfur-containing compounds, 5 amino acids, 4 aromatic compounds, 3 aldehydes and ketones, 2 flavonoids, 1 alcohol, 1 carbohydrate, and 1 aliphatic compound. Out of these, 31 characteristic compounds were identified in fractions F3-F4 as candidate compounds with anti-influenza activity. Additionally, 6-methoxyquinoline and 4-guanidinobutanal were identified in BLG granules and its raw material (Isatidis Radix) for the first time. CONCLUSION: In this study, we proposed a systematic discovery strategy to thoroughly investigate the anti-influenza activity, chemical identification, and constituents-activity relationship of BLG granules. These data not only provided a deeper understanding of the molecular mechanism of the activity of BLG granules, but also presented a basis for the discovery of potential novel drug candidates and quality evaluation and control of BLG granules.

[Study on quality standard of gypenosides extract and Gypenosides Tablets].

In response to no national standard for Gynostemma pentaphyllum, a market survey was carried out, and 17 batches of gypenosides extract and 29 batches of Gypenosides Tablets on the market were collected. With gypenoside A as an index, the TLC qualitative identification and HPLC quantitative evaluation method of gypenosides extract and tablets was established. Based on the determination results of 17 batches of gypenosides extract and 29 batches of Gypenosides Tablets, the quality standards of gypenosides extract and tablets were formulated respectively, so as to give suggestions for improving the quality standards of gypenosides extract and tablets. Compared with the existing ministerial standards, the qualitative identification and quantitative detection of specific components were added, in order to provide scientific basis and suggestions for the revision of the quality standard of gypenosides extract and tablet preparation.

[Establishment of "quantitative analysis of multi-components by single marker" method for phenolic acids in compound Danshen Tablets and its application in mass transfer law].

To construct a quality management model for the whole industry chain of compound Danshen Tablets,and quality control system for all key links in the production of compound Danshen Tablets. In this paper,with salvianolic acid B as internal reference substance,three batches of mix standards were prepared,and three sets of relative correlation factors between salvianolic acid B and other phenolic acids were calculated in parallel. Finally,the correlation factors are obtained on average. The quality transfer process was studied by optimizing the concentration of Salvia miltiorrhiza extract. The results showed that RSD among three sets of relative correlation factors ranged between 1. 7%-4. 1%,with no significant difference between the quantitative result of two methods. In addition,the quality transfer study showed that with the rise of the concentration temperature,the content of phenolic acid components changed,which had a significant effect on the salvianolic acid B at more than 80 ℃. It was suggested to rationally control the concentration temperature during the industrial production. The results of this study provide a methodology for the establishment of the quality control system for the whole industry chain of compound Danshen Tablets,and quality control methods for the improvement of the quality of medicinal materials and finished medicine products.

[Determination of salvianolic acid B and borneol in compound Danshen tablet by near-infrared spectroscopy and establishment of dependency model].

To determine the contents of salvianolic acid B and borneol in compound Danshen tablet (composed of Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizome, Notoginseng Radix et Rhizome and Borneolum Syntheticum) by near-infrared spectroscopy (NIR) and to establish a dependency model for rapid quantitative analysis. NIR data of 74 batches of compound Danshen tablet from different companies were collected; the contents of salvianolic acid B and borneol were determined by using high performanceliquid chromatography (HPLC) and gas chromatography (GC) respectively to establish the dependency model for salvianolic acid B and borneol. The results showed that the best waveband for salvianolic acid B was 10 846.2-10 013, 9 195.3-8 362.2, 6 719.1-4 242.8 cm⁻¹; root-mean-squares error of cross-validation (RMSECV), coefficient of determination R² and regression point displacement (RPD) of salvianolic acid B were 1.72 mg·g⁻¹, 91.05% and 7.93 mg·g⁻¹, respectively. While the best wavebands, RMSECV, R² and RPD of borneol were 10 846.2-5 060.5 cm⁻¹, 1.2 mg·g⁻¹, 96.11% and 6.71 mg·g⁻¹ï¼Œrespectively. The relative error of the established model as validation results for validation set samples was 2.67% and 4.64%， respectively.With the good predictability, the models can be applied to the real time monitoring and quality control of compound Danshen tablet.

[Comparison of saponins from Gynostemma pentaphyllum leaves prepared by different processing methods].

To investigate the differences of chemical compositions in Gynostemma pentaphyllum leaves prepared by different processing methods. Ultra performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-TOF-MS) was used to compare the chemical compositions between shade-dried processing and drum-dried processing. Forty six gypenosides were identified by control comparison， liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry(LC-MSn) fragmentation information， and literature data. The mass spectral peak area statistics was combined with principal component analysis(PCA)， and the results showed that eight batches of Gynostemma pentaphyllum leaves samples were divided into two groups according to the two different processing methods; ten chemical compositions with significant differences were screened according to mass spectrum information combined with partial least-squares discriminant analysis(PLS-DA). The result showed that most parent nucleus of the gypenosides contained three to four glycosides in drum-dried samples， and one to two glycosides in the shade-dried samples. It was inferred from further MS analysis that desugarization of gypenosides was present to produce secondary glycosides with the effect of glucosidase in the shade-drying， thus resulting in difference in compositions. This study provided data support for harvesting， processing and quality control of Gynostemma pentaphyllum leaves.

[Purifying process of gynostemma pentaphyllum saponins based on "adjoint marker" online control technology and identification of their compositions by UPLC-QTOF-MS].

To optimize the purification process of gynostemma pentaphyllum saponins (GPS) based on "adjoint marker" online control technology with GPS as the testing index. UPLC-QTOF-MS technology was used for qualitative analysis. "Adjoint marker" online control results showed that the end point of load sample was that the UV absorbance of effluent liquid was equal to half of that of load sample solution, and the absorbance was basically stable when the end point was stable. In UPLC-QTOF-MS qualitative analysis, 16 saponins were identified from GPS, including 13 known gynostemma saponins and 3 new saponins. This optimized method was proved to be simple, scientific, reasonable, easy for online determination, real-time record, and can be better applied to the mass production and automation of production. The results of qualitative analysis indicated that the "adjoint marker" online control technology can well retain main efficacy components of medicinal materials, and provide analysis tools for the process control and quality traceability.

[A quantitative method using one marker for simultaneous assay of ginsenosides in Panax ginseng and P. notoginseng].

Current quality control patterns are limited to industrial application, for most of the natural chemical reference substances are expensive and unavailable. Herein, a method, quantitative analysis of multi-components with single marker (QAMS), was established and validated to simultaneously determine nine ginsenosides (ginsenoside Rg1, Re, Rf, Rh1, Rb1, Rc, Rb2, Rb3, Rd) in P. ginseng and four ginsenosides (ginsenoside Rg1, Rh1, Rb1, Rd) in P. notoginseng. Using ginsenoside Rb1 as the contrast, the relative correction factors (RCF) of the other eight ginsenosides were determined by HPLC-DAD. Within the linear ranges, the values of RCF of ginsenoside Rb1 to ginsenoside Rg1, Re, Rf, Rh1, Rc, Rb2, Rb3 and Rd were 1.400, 1.215, 1.517, 1.801, 0.944, 1.012, 1.143, and 1.135, respectively. The RCF had a good reproducibility in various instruments, chromatographic columns (RSD = 0.30% - 3.9%). According to their RCF, we simultaneously determined nine ginsenosides in P. ginseng only using one marker. In addition, the RCF of ginsenosides were used to simultaneously quantitative analysis of four ginsenosides in P. notoginseng. The results of QAMS method were validated by comparing with that of external standard method, and no obvious significant difference was found.