Mitigating phospholipid peroxidation of macrophages in stress-induced tumor microenvironment by natural ALOX15/PEBP1 complex inhibitors.

BACKGROUND: The intricate interactions between chronic psychological stress and susceptibility to breast cancer have been recognized, yet the underlying mechanisms remain unexplored. Danzhi Xiaoyao Powder (DZXY), a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula, has found clinical utility in the treatment of breast cancer. Macrophages, as the predominant immune cell population within the tumor microenvironment (TME), play a pivotal role in orchestrating tumor immunosurveillance. Emerging evidence suggests that lipid oxidation accumulation in TME macrophages, plays a critical role in breast cancer development and progression. However, a comprehensive understanding of the pharmacological mechanisms and active components of DZXY related to its clinical application in the treatment of stress-aggravated breast cancer remains elusive. PURPOSE: This study sought to explore the plausible regulatory mechanisms and identify the key active components of DZXY contributing to its therapeutic efficacy in the context of breast cancer. METHODS: Initially, we conducted an investigation into the relationship between the phagocytic capacity of macrophages damaged by psychological stress and phospholipid peroxidation using flow cytometry and LC-MS/MS-based phospholipomics. Subsequently, we evaluated the therapeutic efficacy of DZXY based on the results of the tumor size, tumor weight, the phospholipid peroxidation pathway and phagocytosis of macrophage. Additionally, the target-mediated characterization strategy based on binding of arachidonate 15-lipoxygenase (ALOX15) to phosphatidylethanolamine-binding protein-1 (PEBP1), including molecular docking analysis, microscale thermophoresis (MST) assay, co-immunoprecipitation analysis and activity verification, has been further implemented to reveal the key bio-active components in DZXY. Finally, we evaluated the therapeutic efficacy of isochlorogenic acid C (ICAC) based on the results of tumor size, tumor weight, the phospholipid peroxidation pathway, and macrophage phagocytosis in vivo. RESULTS: The present study demonstrated that phospholipid peroxides, as determined by LC-MS/MS-based phospholipidomics, triggered in macrophages, which in turn compromised their capacity to eliminate tumor cells through phagocytosis. Furthermore, we elucidate the mechanism behind stress-induced PEBP1 to form a complex with ALOX15, thereby mediating membrane phospholipid peroxidation in macrophages. DZXY, demonstrates potent anti-breast cancer therapeutic effects by disrupting the ALOX15/PEBP1 interaction and inhibiting phospholipid peroxidation, ultimately enhancing macrophages' phagocytic capability towards tumor cells. Notably, ICAC emerged as a promising active component in DZXY, which can inhibit the ALOX15/PEBP1 interaction, thereby mitigating phospholipid peroxidation in macrophages. CONCLUSION: Collectively, our findings elucidate stress increases the susceptibility of breast cancer by driving lipid peroxidation of macrophages and suggest the ALOX15/PEBP1 complex as a promising intervention target for DZXY.

Indoleamine 2,3 dioxygenase 1 immobilization on magnetic nanoparticles for screening inhibitors from coffee.

In this study, a ligand fishing method was developed to screen potential indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1) inhibitors from coffee extracts by immobilization of IDO1 enzyme on amino-modified magnetic nanoparticles combined with UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS analysis. Parameters including enzyme concentration, immobilization time, the pH of glutaraldehyde and the amount of magnetic nanoparticles were optimized. The results indicated that immobilized IDO1 could be reused 5 times and was stable during storage for 7 days. Several IDO1 ligands were captured by incubating immobilized IDO1 with coffee extract, of which 10 showed an obvious difference comparing to non-conjugated bare nanoparticles. In vitro inhibitory activity was further performed by CE analysis, in which ferulic acid and chlorogenic acid had better IDO1 inhibitory activity, with IC50 value of 113.7 µM and 307.5 µM. These results demonstrate that this method provides an effective platform for identifying and screening IDO1 inhibitors from natural products.

Difference analysis of different parts of chicory based on HPLC fingerprint and multi-component content determination.

Objective: To establish HPLC fingerprints of different parts of chicory stems, leaves, roots, flowers and seeds, and compare the similarities and differences of chemical components in different parts, so as to provide a scientific basis for the comprehensive utilization of chicory. Methods: To establish the HPLC fingerprint of chicory, the chromatographic column was chosen with Agilent ZORBAX Eclipse XDB-C18, the mobile phase was methanol (A) - 0.2% formic acid (B), the flow rate was 1 mL/min, the column temperature was 30 °C, and the detection wavelength was 254 nm. The Similarity Evaluation System of Chromatographic Fingerprint of Traditional Chinese Medicine (2012 Edition) was used to evaluate the similarity of different parts of decoction pieces, and the determination method of multi-component content was established based on fingerprint identification chromatographic peaks, and the determination results were analyzed. Results: The HPLC fingerprinting method of chicory was established. Sixteen chromatographic peaks were identified and 10 of them were identified as: caftaric acid (1), esculin (2), chlorogenic acid (3), esculetin (4), caffeic acid (5), cichoric acid (8), hyperoside (11), rutin (12), isochlorogenic acid C (14) and luteolin (16). The similarity of different parts was 0.084-0.701. At the same time, the total content of detected chemical components was ranked as flower > leaf > stem > root > seed. Roots did not contain caftaric acid, rutin, and luteolin, flowers did not contain luteolin, and seeds did not contain caftaric acid, cichoric acid, and luteolin. The content of cichoric acid in leaves was the most, and esculin in flowers was the most. Conclusion: The results of HPLC fingerprint and multi-component content determination revealed the similarity and difference of different parts of chicory from chemical composition, indicating that there were certain differences in different parts of chicory. The established HPLC fingerprinting method can provide a reference for quality control and evaluation of different parts of the chicory.

Isochlorogenic Acid C Alleviates High-Fat Diet-Induced Hyperlipemia by Promoting Cholesterol Reverse Transport.

Background: Promoting cholesterol reverse transport (RCT) has been proven to be a promising hyperlipidemia therapy since it is more effective for the treatment of atherosclerosis (AS) caused by hyperlipidemia. Liver X receptor (LXR) agonists can accelerate RCT, but most of them trigger undesirable liver steatosis due to the activation of liver LXRα. Aim: We aim to figure out whether isochlorogenic acid C (ICAC) facilitates RCT without causing hepatic steatosis. Methods: In vitro study, we established foam macrophages and macrophages with loaded NBD-cholesterol models to investigate the competence of RCT promoting ICAC. RT-qPCR and Western blot were used to verify ICAC's regulation of RCT and NF-κB inflammatory pathways. In this in vivo study, male 6-week-old C57BL/6 mice were fed a high-fat diet (HFD) to investigate ICAC's anti-hyperlipidemic effect and its functions in regulating RCT. The anti-hyperlipidemic effect of ICAC was evaluated by blood and liver lipid levels, liver hematoxylin, oil red o staining, and liver coefficient. Finally, mRNA levels of genes involved in RCT and inflammation pathways in the liver and intestine were detected by RT-qPCR. Results: ICAC prevented macrophages from foaming by up-regulating the LXRα mediated RCT pathway and down-regulating expression of the cholesterol absorption genes LDLR and CD36, as well as suppressing iNOS, COX2, and IL-1ß inflammatory factors. In HFD-fed mice, ICAC significantly lowered the lipid level both in the serum and the liver. Mechanistic studies showed that ICAC strengthened the RCT pathway in the liver and intestine but didn't affect liver LXRα. Furthermore, ICAC impeded both adipogenesis and the inflammatory response in the liver. Conclusion: ICAC accelerated RCT without affecting liver LXRα, thus resulting in a lipid-lowering effect without increasing liver adipogenesis. Our results indicated that ICAC could be a new RCT promoter for hyperlipidemia treatment without causing liver steatosis.

Simultaneous Determination of Seven Constituents in Qinggan Lidan Mixture by HPLC / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective: To establish an HPLC method for simultaneous determination of geniposide,chlorogenic acid,neochlorogenic acid,cryptochlorogenic acid,isochlorogenic acid A,B and C in Qinggan Lidan mixture,in order to provide references for its quality control. Method: The analysis of methanol extract of this drug was performed on a 35℃ Luna C18 column (4.6 mm×250 mm,5μm),with the mobile phase comprised of acetonitrile-0.4% phosphoric acid flowing at 1.0 mL·min-1 in a gradient elution mode (0-10 min,8%-12%A;10-30 min,12%A;30-60 min,12%-35%A),and the detection wavelengths were set at 238 and 327 nm. Result:Geniposide,chlorogenic acid,neochlorogenic acid,cryptochlorogenic acid,isochlorogenic acid A,B and C were completely separated,and well separated from other constituents. The linear ranges of geniposide,chlorogenic acid,neochlorogenic acid,cryptochlorogenic acid,isochlorogenic acid A,B and C were 0.188-2.355,0.083-1.040,0.074-0.920,0.075-0.940,0.064-0.800,0.076-0.955,0.071-0.888 μg (r ≥ 0.999 0),respectively. The average recoveries were 99.45%,98.45%,99.06%,98.50%,98.16%,101.01%,96.93%,with the RSDs of 0.5%,1.8%,1.3%,2.4%,2.3%,1.6%,1.6%,respectively.The contents of geniposide,chlorogenic acid,neochlorogenic acid,cryptochlorogenic acid,isochlorogenic acid A,B and C were 3.420-3.794,0.835-0.890,1.222-1.275,1.064-1.210,0.377-0.398,0.419-0.464 and 0.362-0.405 g·L-1,respectively. Conclusion:This method can be used for simultaneous determination of muti-ingredients in Qinggan Lidan mixture,and the established method is simple and accurate,with a good reproducibility and high sensitivity. It can be used for the quality control of Qinggan Lidan mixture.

Extraction and purification of isochlorogenic acid C from Chrysanthemum morifolium using ionic liquid-based ultrasound-assisted extraction and aqueous two-phase system.

Ionic liquid-based ultrasonic-assisted extraction (IL-UAE) was developed to extract and separate the isochlorogenic acid C (ICGA) from a cultivar of Chrysanthemum morifolium (Chrysanthemummorifolium Ra Tnat.). The influencing parameters, including IL concentration, liquid-to-solid ratio, and ultrasonic time, were optimized using response surface methodology. Of the ILs studied, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide [(Bmim)Br] exhibited the best extraction ability. The optimized conditions included liquid-to-solid ratio of 23.44:1, ultrasonic time of 48.99 min, and IL concentration of 0.65 mol/L. Under the optimal conditions, the extraction yield of ICGA could reach to 4.20 mg/g. An aqueous two-phase system was applied for purification and separation of ICGA. The maximum extraction efficiency of 98.18% was obtained under the conditions of (NH 4)2 SO 4 of 4.5 g, pH of 3.0, and a temperature of 20°C at aqueous solution. Furthermore, the thermodynamic parameters showed that the purification of ICGA from salt-rich phase to IL-rich phase was a spontaneous and exothermic process. The results indicated that the proposed system is simple, rapid, and effective to serve as a viable and sustainable platform for the extraction and purification of ICGA from Chrysanthemum morifolium flowers.

Isochlorogenic Acid C Reverses Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition via Down-regulation of EGFR Pathway in MDA-MB-231 cells.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) has been suggested to play an important role in survival, proliferation, migration, differentiation, and tumorigenesis of many cell types. Breast cancer patients with high EGFR expression have a poor prognosis. In this study, we investigated the molecular mechanism of the inhibitory effect of isochlorogenic acid c (ICAC) extracted from Lonicera japonica on elevated EGFR levels of the triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cell line, MDA-MB-231. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The cell viability and cell-cycle analysis were evaluated using 3-(4, 5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2, 5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and flow cytometry, respectively. The migration ability and invasiveness of ICAC-treated MDA-MB-231 were examined by migration and Matrigel invasion assay. The epithelial-mesenchymal-transition (EMT)-related protein expression was examined by western blotting and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). RESULTS: ICAC led to significant morphological changes and suppressed migration and invasion capacities of highly metastatic MDA-MB-231 cells. Western blot analysis for EGFR/EMT-associated proteins suggested that ICAC attenuated the mesenchymal traits as observed by up-regulation of epithelial markers and down-regulation of mesenchymal markers as well as decreased activities of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9). CONCLUSION: These results suggested that the inhibitory effects of ICAC against EGFR-induced EMT and MDA-MB-231 cell invasion were dependent on the EGFR/ phospholipase Cγ (PLCγ)/extracellular regulated protein kinase ½ (ERK½)/slug signaling pathway. Therefore, the obtained results could provide us clues for the next therapeutic strategy in the treatment of TNBC.

Determination of Isochlorogenic Acid A and Isochlorogenic Acid C in Vernonia Anthelmintica by High Performance Liquid Chromatography / 医药导报

Objective To establish the chromatographic conditions of isochlorogenic acid A and isochlorogenic acid C in vernonia anthelmintica. Methods By changing the mobile phase,flow rate,column temperature and other chromatographic conditions,the best chromatographic conditions was we pursued to established. Results The linear relationship between the concentration of isochlorogenic acid A and the peak area was between 5. 825-69. 9 μg·mL-1, and the concentration of isochlorogenic acid C,was between 5.15-61.80 μg·mL-1and the peak area was good . The sample recovery rates of the two groups were 98.70%-101.92%(RSD＝1.04%,n＝9)、95.99%-102.52%(RSD＝1.90%,n＝9). Conclusion The method is simple,rapid, accurate and reliable for the determination of isochlorogenic acid A and isochlorogenic acid C in Vernonia anthelmintica and also for the quality control of the raw material.

Immuno-enhancement effects of Yifei Tongluo Granules on cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppression in Balb/c mice.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Traditional Chinese medicine Yifei Tongluo Granules has been employed clinically with the combination of chemotherapy agents to treat patients with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis. However, the mechanisms underlying the therapeutic potential have not been well elucidated. The present study was employed to verify immunomodulatory effect and to investigate the underlying mechanisms which have not been explored. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study samples of total extracts (FB-E) and polysaccharides (FB-P) were prepared by the extraction of the Yifei Tongluo Granules using appropriate techniques. A simple immunodeficient mice model was established by challenging Balb/c mice with cyclophosphamide in order to avoid the handling of tuberculosis viruses. The in vivo study was thus designed to systematically elucidate the immuno-enhancement effects of Yifei Tongluo Granules extracts in immunosuppressed mice induced by cyclophosphamide. Balb/c mice were orally ingested once daily with the low and high doses of two different extracts for ten consecutive days, respectively, accompanied by intraperitoneal injection of cyclophosphamide (60mg/kg) on days 1-3 and 10. RESULTS: Compared with the model group, the treatment of immunodeficient mice with the low and high doses of the extracts FB-E or FB-P enhanced spleen and thymus indices, T- and B-cell proliferation as well as increased the activities of splenic natural killer, lymphokine activated killer, cytotoxic T lymphocyte cells and peritoneal macrophage phagocytosis. In addition, the FB-E or FB-P treatment balanced the ratio of Th1/Th2 and up-regulated the CD4+/CD8+ ratio in the serum. CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrate, for the first time, that the treatment of the cyclophosphamide-challenged mice with the Yifei Tongluo Granules extracts resulted in accelerated recovery of immunosuppression, sugguesting that the immunomodulation might be the mechanism for the observed clinical benefits of Yifei Tongluo Granules. Our findings provide preliminary mechanistic study evidences for clinical application of Yifei Tongluo Granules in patients with immunodeficient diseases such as tuberculosis.

The multi-targets integrated fingerprinting for screening anti-diabetic compounds from a Chinese medicine Jinqi Jiangtang Tablet.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Jinqi Jiangtang Tablet is a traditional Chinese anti-diabetic formula containing three ingredients: Coptis chinensis Franch. (dried rhizome of C. chinensis Franch., Coptis deltoidea C. Y. Cheng et Hsiao and Coptis teeta Wall.), Astragalus membranaceus (Fisch.) Bunge. (dried root of A. membranaceus (Fisch.) Bge. var. mongholicus (Bge. ) Hsiao and A. membranaceus (Fisch.) Bge. ) and Lonicera japonica Thunb. (dried alabastrum or with nascent flowers of L. japonica Thunb. ). Free radicals, α-glucosidase, α-amylase, aldose reductase and lipase are different targets related with diabetes. However, there are no chromatographic methods employed in screening the anti-diabetic compounds from natural products basing on these targets simultaneously. The present study was aimed at the establishment of a multi-targets integrated fingerprinting to clarify the possible mechanism of the action of Traditional Chinese Medicines which simultaneously contained multiple chemical characteristics and effects of constitutions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The multi-targets integrated fingerprinting was developed and validated to screen anti-diabetic compounds from natural products by using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography/quadruple-time-of-flight mass spectrometry, fraction collector and microplate reader. Ultra performance liquid chromatography was employed to separate the components in Jinqi Jiangtang Tablet, which were identified by quadruple-time-of-flight mass spectrometry to acquire their structural information and collected by the fraction collector. Finally the active fractions were tested for scavenging 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical and inhibition of α-glucosidase, α-amylase, aldose reductase, and lipase activities in vitro by microplate reader. RESULTS: Our tests revealed that the Jinqi Jiangtang Tablet showed inhibitory activity against α-glucosidase, α-amylase, aldose reductase and lipase with IC50 values of 0.80 ± 0.02 mg/mL, 1.28 ± 0.13 mg/mL, 0.80 ± 0.02 mg/mL, 1.90 ± 0.18 mg/mL respectively and the scavenging activity with IC50 value of 1.71 ± 0.178 mg/mL. The bioactive fractions were identified to be alkaloids, flavonoids and phenolic acids. The phenolic acids possessed antioxidant activities, namely the scavenging effect on 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl rull;). The alkaloids exhibited inhibitory activity against α-glucosidase, aldose reductase, α-amylase, and lipase. The flavonoids also showed mild inhibition on α-glucosidase, aldose reductase, α-amylase and lipase. CONCLUSIONS: The results demonstrate that Jinqi Jiangtang Tablet can scavenge free radicals and inhibit α-glucosidase, aldose reductase, α-amylase and lipase, which may be the possible mechanism of action of Jinqi Jiangtang Tablet for the treatment of diabetes and associated complications. Compared with conventional chromatographic separation and activity assays, the multi-targets integrated fingerprinting, which simultaneously contains the chemical characteristics and multiple effects of constitutions could comprehensively and properly reveal the activity of Jinqi Jiangtang Tablet. The results also show that the multi-targets integrated fingerprinting is a novel and powerful tool for screening and identifying active ingredients from Traditional Chinese Medicines.

Isolation of isochlorogenic acid isomers in flower buds of Lonicera japonica by high-speed counter-current chromatography and preparative high performance liquid chromatography.

An efficient method was established by HSCCC combined with prep-HPLC for separating isochlorogenic acid isomers from flower buds of Lonicera japonica. The partially purified sample from the methanol extract of flower buds of L. japonica by silica gel column was separated by HSCCC to result in a fraction containing two isochlorogenic acid isomers. The fraction was further isolated by prep-HPLC to yield isochlorogenic acid A and isochlorogenic acid C with purities of 98% and 96%, and the total recoveries at 80.1% and 79.8%, respectively. The chemical structures of isochlorogenic acid isomers were confirmed by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) and (1)H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR).

Preparation technology of isochlorogenic acids A, B, and C / 中草药

Objective: To establish a method for separation of isochlorogenic acids A, B, and C from Lonicerae Flos. Methods: Isochlorogenic acids A, B, and C in Lonicerae Flos were isolated and purified by macroporous resin and medium-low-pressure preparative chromatography. Their structures were identified on the basis of the spectral data and physicochemical property. Results: The contents of prepared isochlorogenic acids A, B and C were 98.7%, 99.2%, and 97.6%, respectively. Conclusion: This method is economic, simple, rapid, and effective for the preparation of isochlorogenic acids A, B, and C with high purity.

Simultaneous determination of the contents and fingerprint of multi-components in honeysuckle extract by HPLC / 中国药学杂志

OBJECTIVE: To establish a HPLC method for the simultaneous determination of the contents and fingerprint of 7 active constituents (neochlorogenic acid, chlorogenic acid, cryptochlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, isochlorogenic acid B, isochlorogenic acid A, and isochlorogenic acid C) in honeysuckle extract. METHODS: The chromatographic separation was achieved on a AkzoNobel Kromasil C18 column(4.6 mm × 250 mm, 5 μm), the mobile phase was acetonitrile-0.1% phosphoric acid aqueous solution with gradient elution at a flow rate of 1.0 mL · min-1, the detection wavelength was set at 326 nm, and the column temperature was 30°C. RESULTS: All the 7 compounds showed good linearity in the ranges of the test concentrations. The RSDs of the precision, stability and reproducibility tests were less than 3%. The average recoveries were in the range of 97.98%-99.29%. CONCLUSION: This method is simple, sensitive, accurate, and can be used for quality control of honeysuckle extract. Copyright 2012 by the Chinese Pharmaceutical Association.