A Comprehensive Analysis of Fel Ursi and Its Common Adulterants Based on UHPLC-QTOF-MSE and Chemometrics.

BACKGROUND: As one of the four most valuable animal medicines, Fel Ursi, named Xiong Dan (XD) in China, has the effect of clearing heat, calming the liver, and brightening the eyes. However, due to the special source of XD and its high price, other animals' bile is often sold as XD or mixed with XD on the market, seriously affecting its clinical efficacy and consumers' rights and interests. In order to realize identification and adulteration analysis of XD, UHPLC-QTOF-MSE and multivariate statistical analysis were used to explore the differences in XD and six other animals' bile. METHODS: XD, pig gall (Zhu Dan, ZD), cow gall (Niu Dan, ND), rabbit gallbladder (Tu Dan, TD), duck gall (Yan Dan, YD), sheep gall (Yang Dan, YND), and chicken gall (Ji Dan, JD) were analyzed by UHPLC-QTOF-MSE, and the MS data, combined with multivariate analysis methods, were used to distinguish between them. Meanwhile, the potential chemical composition markers that contribute to their differences were further explored. RESULTS: The results showed that XD and six other animals' bile can be distinguished from each other obviously, with 27 ions with VIP > 1.0. We preliminarily identified 10 different bile acid-like components in XD and the other animals' bile with significant differences (p < 0.01) and VIP > 1.0, such as tauroursodeoxycholic acid, Glycohyodeoxycholic acid, and Glycodeoxycholic acid. CONCLUSIONS: The developed method was efficient and rapid in accurately distinguishing between XD and six other animals' bile. Based on the obtained chemical composition markers, it is beneficial to strengthen quality control for bile medicines.

Bioassay-guided isolation of cycloartane-type triterpenes, their cytotoxic properties and identification of potential chemical markers from Geniotrigona thoracica propolis.

Phytochemical investigation through cytotoxicity bioassay-guided isolation of Geniotrigona thoracica propolis led to the identification of five cycloartane-type triterpenes, including mangiferonic acid 1, ambonic acid 2, mangiferolic acid 3, ambolic acid 4 and cycloartenol 5. Their structures were established based on detailed spectroscopic analysis and comparison with literature data. Compounds 1-5 were isolated for the first time in this species. From cytotoxicity MTT assay, compound 3 inhibited the growth of breast (MCF-7) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2) cancer cell lines with IC50 of 5.08 and 4.82 µg/mL, respectively. Cytotoxicity of compounds 1-5 were reported for the first time against HepG2 cancer cell lines. Compounds 1-4 were suggested to serve as main and/or analytical markers for G. thoracica propolis based on HPLC analysis. To our knowledge, this is the first report on the isolation of bioactive constituents and identification of chemical markers for G. thoracica propolis.

Exploring the Formation of Chemical Markers in Chaste Honey by Comparative Metabolomics: From Nectar to Mature Honey.

Identification of chemical markers is important to ensure the authenticity of monofloral honey; however, the formation of chemical markers in honey has received little attention. Herein, using comparative metabolomics, we first identified chemical markers in chaste honey and then explored their formation and accumulation from nectar to mature honey. We identified agnuside and p-hydroxybenzoic acid glucosides as chemical markers for chaste honey. Besides, we developed an UHPLC-MS/MS method for quantifying these markers and found that their levels varied significantly across sample sources. We compared the presence of these compounds in chaste nectar and mature honey. The outcomes underscore that these characteristic compounds are not simply delivered from nectar to mature honey, and activities of honeybees (collecting and processing) play a pivotal role in their formation and accumulation. These observations shed light on how mature honey can form its unique qualities with a rich assortment of natural bioactive compounds, potentially supporting health benefits.

Chemical markers of a rare honey from the traditional spice plant Amomum tsao-ko Crevost et Lemarié, via integrated GC-MS and LC-MS approaches.

The precious medicinal plant, Amomum tsao-ko Crevost et Lemarié, is the nectariferous plant from which the rare Amomum tsao-ko Crevost et Lemarié honey (ATH) is produced. Presently, chemical markers for authentication of this honey are not available due to the lack of data on its chemical composition. Here, we analyzed the volatile components and their odor activity values (OAVs), which revealed that the unique aroma was mildly flowery and fruity, accompanied by subtle sweet and fresh undertones. Since non-volatile chemicals are more reliable markers for routine authentication, we used a metabolomic approach combined with NMR-based identification to find and confirm a suitable compound to unambiguously distinguish ATH from other honeys. Isorhamnetin 3-O-neohesperidoside ranged from 3.62 to 9.38 mg/kg in ATH and was absent in the other tested honeys. In sum, the study uncovered unique chemical characteristics of ATH that will be helpful to control its quality.

Benefits of Manuka Honey in the Management of Infectious Diseases: Recent Advances and Prospects.

The benefits of honey have been recognized since ancient times for treating numerous diseases. However, in today's modern era, the use of traditional remedies has been rapidly diminishing due to the complexities of modern lifestyles. While antibiotics are commonly used and effective in treating pathogenic infections, their inappropriate use can lead to the development of resistance among microorganisms, resulting in their widespread prevalence. Therefore, new approaches are constantly required to combat drug-resistant microorganisms, and one practical and useful approach is the use of drug combination treatments. Manuka honey, derived from the manuka tree (Leptospermum scoparium) found exclusively in New Zealand, has garnered significant attention for its biological potential, particularly due to its antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. Moreover, when combined with antibiotics, it has demonstrated the ability to enhance their effectiveness. In this review, we delve into the chemical markers of manuka honey that are currently known, as well as detail the impact of manuka honey on the management of infectious diseases up to the present.

Insufficient evidence to link human exposure to heavy metals with biomarkers of glioma.

Information on molecular mechanisms has implicated potential association between the concentrations of heavy metals and incidences of glioma, but experimental data on human brain tissue remain sparse. To address this data gap, 13 heavy metals were measured in 137 glioma and 35 non-glioma samples collected from 161 alive patients in Guangdong Province, China in 2019 - 2020. All target heavy metals were detected, suggesting they could cross the blood-brain barrier. Concentrations of Mn, Cu, and Zn were higher in glioma than in non-glioma samples, while those of Ni and Se were higher in non-glioma samples, probably suggesting that these five heavy metals are more prone to be altered by changing pathological conditions. In addition, Cu/Zn, Cr/Mn, Cr/Se, Ni/Se, Pb/Mn, and Pb/Se were statistically different between glioma and non-glioma samples by a difference test and a multiple logistic regression model. These concentration ratios may serve as chemical markers to assist pathological analysis for differentiating between tumor and healthy tissues. However, no direct link between heavy metal concentrations or concentration ratios and biomarkers of glioma (i.e., tumor grade, P53, and Ki-67) was observed. No sufficient evidence was obtained to implicate the role of heavy metals in inducing glioma, largely caused by the limited number of samples. Different concentrations and concentration ratios of heavy metals may be the consequence rather than the cause of pathological changes in brain tumors.

Integrating serum pharmacochemistry and network pharmacology to identify chemical markers for quality control of Apocyni Veneti Folium.

INTRODUCTION: Apocyni Veneti Folium (AVF) is a commonly used traditional Chinese medicinal herb for the treatment of hypertension. Chemical markers are crucial for the quality control of herbal medicines; however, the therapeutic components of AVF remain to be well elucidated. OBJECTIVES: This study was intended to integrate serum pharmacochemistry and network pharmacology to identify chemical markers of AVF and establish an efficacy-related quality control method of AVF. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Ultra-performance liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-QTOF-MS/MS) was applied to identify the absorbed AVF constituents in rat serum. Network pharmacology was further used to identify anti-hypertension-related chemical markers. Subsequently, a quantitative method was established using UPLC with diode array detection (DAD) and applied for quality evaluation of commercial AVF samples. RESULTS: Thirteen prototype constituents were unequivocally or tentatively characterized in serum samples, among which quercetin, kaempferol, hyperoside, isoquercitrin, chlorogenic acid, cryptochlorogenic acid, and neochlorogenic acid were identified as dominant chemicals related to anti-hypertensive efficacy. The quantitative data showed that the total contents of seven marker components even showed 2-fold variation among 14 batches of commercial AVF samples with RSD values ranging from 12.15% to 75.61%. Hierarchical cluster analysis and heatmap analysis showed that 14 batches of commercial AVF samples could be divided into three main groups. CONCLUSION: The chemical markers obtained from this study could be applicable for efficacy-related quality control of AVF.

Integrating Enhanced Profiling and Chemometrics to Unveil the Potential Markers for Differentiating among the Leaves of Panax ginseng, P. quinquefolius, and P. notoginseng by Ultra-High Performance Liquid Chromatography/Ion Mobility-Quadrupole Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry.

The leaves of Panax species (e.g., Panax ginseng-PGL, P. quinquefolius-PQL, and P. notoginseng-PNL) can serve as a source for healthcare products. Comprehensive characterization and unveiling of the metabolomic difference among PGL, PQL, and PNL are critical to ensure their correct use. For this purpose, enhanced profiling and chemometrics were integrated to probe into the ginsenoside markers for PGL/PQL/PNL by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography/ion mobility-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC/IM-QTOF-MS). A hybrid scan approach (HDMSE-HDDDA) was established achieving the dimension-enhanced metabolic profiling, with 342 saponins identified or tentatively characterized from PGL/PQL/PNL. Multivariate statistical analysis (33 batches of leaf samples) could unveil 42 marker saponins, and the characteristic ginsenosides diagnostic for differentiating among PGL/PQL/PNL were primarily established. Compared with the single DDA or DIA, the HDMSE-HDDDA hybrid scan approach could balance between the metabolome coverage and spectral reliability, leading to high-definition MS spectra and the additional collision-cross section (CCS) useful to differentiate isomers.

Comparison of metabolome characteristics and screening of chemical markers in Chrysanthemum indicum from different habitats.

Chrysanthemum indicum is a polymorphic species with many ecological, geographical or eco-geographic populations, but there are few studies on the metabolic characteristics of different populations. This study conducted widely targeted metabolomics studies on Ch. indicum from seven typical producing areas. As a result, a total of 802 metabolites were detected and identified, among which the top three categories of metabolites were flavonoids, organic acids and amino acids and derivatives. Through multivariate statistical analysis, the seven samples from different habitats could be divided into four categories, and the significantly changed metabolites between different categories were mainly concentrated in the flavonoid synthesis pathway. Through a variety of cluster analysis, it was observed that the Ch. nankingense (Nakai) Tzvel (Chinese name Juhuanao) had the largest separation degree from other samples and were clustered into a single category. Furthermore, the corresponding candidate chemical markers were screened in this study to distinguish the Juhuanao. Correlation analysis showed that climatic factors were not the main reason for the differences in the metabolic characteristics of Ch. indicum in different populations, which indicated that Ch. indicum is indeed a species with rich variation. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12298-022-01137-z.

Potential clinical applications of phytopharmaceuticals for the in-patient management of coagulopathies in COVID-19.

Thrombotic complications occur in many cardiovascular pathologies and have been demonstrated in COVID-19. The currently used antithrombotic drugs are not free of adverse reactions, and COVID-19 patients in particular, when treated with a therapeutic dose of an anticoagulant do not receive mortality benefits. The clinical management of COVID-19 is one of the most difficult tasks for clinicians, and the search for safe, potent, and effective antithrombotic drugs may benefit from exploring naturally bioactive molecules from plant sources. This review describes recent advances in understanding the antithrombotic potential of herbal drug prototypes and points to their future clinical use as potent antithrombotic drugs. Although natural products are perceived to be safe, their clinical and therapeutic applications are not always apparent or accepted. More in-depth studies are necessary to demonstrate the clinical usefulness of plant-derived, bioactive compounds. In addition, holistic approaches in systematic investigations and the identification of antithrombotic mechanisms of the herbal bioactive molecule(s) need to be conducted in pre-clinical studies. Moreover, rigorous studies are needed to compare the potency of herbal drugs to that of competitor chemical antithrombotic drugs, and to examine their interactions with Western antithrombotic medicines. We have also proposed a road map to improve the commercialization of phytopharmaceuticals.

Safflomin A: A novel chemical marker for Carthamus tinctorius L. (Safflower) monofloral honey.

Monofloral safflower honey (MSH), produced from nectar of the medicinal Carthamus tinctorius L., has been shown with excellent nutritional value and biological activity. However, current MSH authenticity verification is insufficient. Herein, we fully characterized MSH from a metabolomic perspective and proposed a chemical marker for its authentication. Using palynological analysis, we confirmed the botanical origin of MSH. Ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography/quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC/Q-TOF-MS) was applied further to compare MSH/safflower components. MSH and safflowers shared 1297 tentatively identified compounds, of which safflomin A was identified as a reliable characteristic indicator. When applied to commercial non-safflower honeys, none tested safflomin A positive. Solid phase extraction coupled UHPLC/Q-TOF-MS method revealed the LOD and LOQ of safflomin A in MSH to be 0.006 and 0.02 mg/kg, respectively, with concentrations ranging from 0.86 to 3.91 mg/kg. Collectively, safflomin A can be applied as a chemical marker for fingerprinting the botanical origin of safflower honey.

Chemical Authentication of Botanical Ingredients: A Review of Commercial Herbal Products.

Chemical methods are the most important and widely used traditional plant identification techniques recommended by national and international pharmacopoeias. We have reviewed the successful use of different chemical methods for the botanical authentication of 2,386 commercial herbal products, sold in 37 countries spread over six continents. The majority of the analyzed products were reported to be authentic (73%) but more than a quarter proved to be adulterated (27%). At a national level, the number of products and the adulteration proportions varied very widely. Yet, the adulteration reported for the four countries, from which more than 100 commercial products were purchased and their botanical ingredients chemically authenticated, was 37% (United Kingdom), 31% (Italy), 27% (United States), and 21% (China). Simple or hyphenated chemical analytical techniques have identified the total absence of labeled botanical ingredients, substitution with closely related or unrelated species, the use of biological filler material, and the hidden presence of regulated, forbidden or allergenic species. Additionally, affecting the safety and efficacy of the commercial herbal products, other low quality aspects were reported: considerable variability of the labeled metabolic profile and/or phytochemical content, significant product-to-product variation of botanical ingredients or even between batches by the same manufacturer, and misleading quality and quantity label claims. Choosing an appropriate chemical technique can be the only possibility for assessing the botanical authenticity of samples which have lost their diagnostic microscopic characteristics or were processed so that DNA cannot be adequately recovered.

First surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 and organic tracers in community wastewater during post lockdown in Chennai, South India: Methods, occurrence and concurrence.

Surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 and organic tracers (OTs) were conducted in the community wastewater of Chennai city and the suburbs, South India, during partial and post lockdown phases (August-September 2020) as a response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Wastewater samples were collected from four sewage treatment plants (STPs), five sewage pumping stations (SPSs) and at different time intervals from a suburban hospital wastewater (HWW). Four different methods of wastewater concentrations viz., composite (COM), supernatant (SUP), sediment (SED), and syringe filtration (SYR) were subjected to quantitative real time-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Unlike HWW, STP inlet, sludge and SPS samples were found with higher loading of SARS-CoV-2 by SED followed by SUP method. Given the higher levels of dissolved and suspended solids in STPs and SPSs over HWW, we suspect that this enveloped virus might exhibit the tendency of higher partitioning in solid phase. Cycle threshold (Ct) values were < 30 in 50% of the HWW samples indicating higher viral load from the COVID-19 infected patients. In the STP outlets, a strict decline of biochemical oxygen demand, >95% removal of caffeine, and absence of viral copies reflect the efficiency of the treatment plants in Chennai city. Among the detected OTs, a combination of maximum dynamic range and high concurrence percentage was observed for caffeine and N1 gene of SARS-CoV-2. Hence, we suggest that caffeine can be used as an indicator for the removal of SARS-CoV-2 by STPs. Our predicted estimated number of cases are in line with the available clinical data from the catchments. Densely distributed population of the Koyambedu catchment could be partly responsible for the high proportion of estimated infected individuals during the study period.

Effectiveness of Scutellaria barbata water extract on inhibiting colon tumor growth and metastasis in tumor-bearing mice.

The plant Scutellaria barbata (SB) is commonly used as herbal medicines for treating cancer. The present pre-clinical study aimed to validate the Chinese Pharmacopoeia (CP) recommended dosages of SB water extract (SBW) in treating colon tumors. The content of chemical marker scutellarin in SBW was quantified using UPLC. Mice bearing human HCT116 xenografts or murine colon26 tumors received oral administration of SBW or scutellarin for 4 weeks. Results showed that SBW (615 and 1,230 mg/kg) and scutellarin (7 mg/kg) treatments significantly reduced human xenograft weights by 28.7, 36.9 and 28.8%, respectively. Lung metastasis area could be ameliorated after SBW (615 mg/kg) and scutellarin (7 mg/kg) treatments by 23.4 and 29.5%, respectively. Expressions of colon cancer metastasis-related proteins E-cadherin, Tspan 8 and CXCR4, as well as Src kinase in tumors were first shown to be regulated by SBW. Furthermore, in murine colon26 tumor-bearing mice, SBW (615 mg/kg) and scutellarin (7 mg/kg) treatments reduced the orthotopic tumor burden by 94.7% and lung metastatic tumor burden by 94.1%, respectively. Our findings provided evidences that SBW (at the mouse equivalent dosages to clinical dosages recommended by CP) could exert anti-tumor and anti-metastatic effects in colon cancer animal models.

Marine alkaloids as the chemical marker for the prey-predator relationship of the sponge Xestospongia sp. and the nudibranch Jorunna funebris.

The dietary relationship study between marine sponge Xestospongia sp. and its nudibranch predators Jorunna funebris based on the discovery of isoquinolinequinones has long been studied. In this study, chemical investigation of the sponge Xestospongia sp. and nudibranch J. funebris from the South China Sea yielded a new marine alkaloid neopetroside C (1), together with nine known alkaloids (2-10). The chemical structures of all the compounds were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analysis. Neopetroside C (1) featured a riboside of nicotinic acid with a rare α-N glycosildic linkage and an acyl residue of (Z)-2-methylbut-2-enoic acid attached to C-5'. The plausible chemical ecology relationship between sponge Xestospongia sp. and its nudibranch predator J. funebris was proposed based on the biogenetic relationship of the common marine alkaloids. The observation of two structural fragments, (Z)-2-methylbut-2-enoyloxy and trigonelline groups in both sponge and nudibranch, indicated that nudibranch might uptake chemicals from sponge and then modify and transform them into chemical weapons to defend against predators. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s42995-021-00096-w.

A comprehensive quality evaluation of Fuzi and its processed product through integration of UPLC-QTOF/MS combined MS/MS-based mass spectral molecular networking with multivariate statistical analysis and HPLC-MS/MS.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata (the Chinese name is Fuzi, FZ), the lateral or daughter root of Aconitum carmichaelii Debx. (Ranunculaceae), is a controversial traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) that is universally distributed and applied in many countries, such as China, Japan, Korea, and India. FZ can be used to treat various diseases, including rheumatic fever, rheumatism, painful joints, syncope, collapse, bronchial asthma, some endocrinal disorders, etc. However, quality control and assessment of FZ are challenging due to its obvious and high toxicological risks, and only its processed products are allowed to be used clinically according to the relative safety regulations. Consequently, it is necessary to analyze the whole chemical composition and the dynamic changes of FZ before and after processing. Addressing the changes in the chemical substance of raw and processed products is a way to reduce toxicity. AIM OF THE STUDY: In this article, the whole chemical composition of FZ is analyzed, the differences between raw and processed FZ are evaluated, and possible factors that influence the reduced toxicity of processed FZ are explained from the perspective of its chemical composition using qualitative and quantitative analysis methods. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A novel strategy of multiple data collection and processing based on ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with a quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-QTOF/MS) method in the positive ion mode, together with Global Natural Product Social Molecular Networking (GNPS) and multivariate statistical analysis, was established to systematically identify the chemical constituents of FZ and comprehensively investigate the chemical markers that can be used to differentiate FZ processed with vinegar and honey from its raw product. Combined with the qualitative analysis results, 12 components, including 8 chemical marker compounds and 4 toxicity components, were quantitatively analyzed by using high-performance liquid chromatography equipped with triple-quadrupole mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS). RESULTS: Using the molecular networking (MN) analysis method, a total of 145 compounds were identified, of which 13 were identified using reference compounds. Seventy seven chemical markers were also detected between raw and processed FZ. The identification results of the chemical markers were also verified by orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA). The quantitative results indicated that the contents of 12 important components all decreased, especially diester-diterpenoid alkaloids (DDAs), after processing. CONCLUSION: The decrease of toxicity of FZ after processing is closely related to the changes in its chemical composition. The method developed in this study is a comprehensive analysis technique for quality assessment of FZ, and this study provides a useful and quick strategy to characterize chemical compounds of TCM and explore the different chemical markers between raw and processed Chinese herbal medicine.

Chemotypic variation of non-volatile constituents of Artemisia afra (African wormwood) from South Africa.

Artemisia afra (African wormwood) is a popular medicinal plant of southern Africa and is an excellent candidate for commercialisation. This current study was aimed at exploring the phytochemistry and chemical variation of non-volatile compounds within wild populations of A. afra, and developing chromatographic quality control protocols for raw materials based on the identification of marker compounds. Chromatographic data, from samples representing 12 distinct populations, were obtained using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. An untargeted chemometric approach revealed three clusters. Marker compounds for each cluster, revealed through discriminant analysis, were isolated and identified using NMR spectroscopy, as acacetin (1) (Group 1), chrysoeriol (2) (Group 2), and 3,5-di-O-caffeoylquinic acid (3) and scopoletin (4) (Group 3). In addition, (3) and rutin (5), (both reported for the first time from A. afra), and (1), (2), (4) and 4-caffeoylquinic acid (6) were established as reliable markers for species identification, since they were abundant in most samples. Quantitative analysis using a validated method established (4) as the dominant compound in the samples (1080-19,600 µg/g dry weight (d.w.)), followed by (5) (49.5-2490 µg/g d.w.). A high performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC) method was developed. The Rf values and colours of the bands corresponding to the marker compounds were recorded so that these compounds could be easily identified for quality control purposes. Multivariate analysis of the data using the rTLC online application confirmed the presence of different chemical groupings within the samples. It was deduced that quantitative, rather than qualitative differences, characterised the samples. Future research should focus on comparing the efficacy of the various chemical clusters in multi-target biological assays aligned to the traditional use of the plant.

Chemical Markers to Distinguish the Homo- and Heterozygous Bitter Genotype in Sweet Almond Kernels.

Bitterness in almonds is controlled by a single gene (Sk dominant for sweet kernel, sk recessive for bitter kernel) and the proportions of the offspring genotypes (SkSk, Sksk, sksk) depend on the progenitors' genotype. Currently, the latter is deduced after crossing by recording the phenotype of their descendants through kernel tasting. Chemical markers to early identify parental genotypes related to bitter traits can significantly enhance the efficiency of almond breeding programs. On this basis, volatile metabolites related to almond bitterness were investigated by Solid Phase Microextraction-Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry coupled to univariate and multivariate statistics on 244 homo- and heterozygous samples from 42 different cultivars. This study evidenced the association between sweet almonds' genotype and some volatile metabolites, in particular benzaldehyde, and provided for the first time chemical markers to discriminate between homo- and heterozygous sweet almond genotypes. Furthermore, a multivariate approach based on independent variables was developed to increase the reliability of almond classification. The Partial Least Square-Discriminant Analysis classification model built with selected volatile metabolites that showed discrimination capacity allowed a 98.0% correct classification. The metabolites identified, in particular benzaldehyde, become suitable markers for the early genotype identification in almonds, while a DNA molecular marker is not yet available.

Discovery and identification of proangiogenic chemical markers from Gastrodiae Rhizoma based on zebrafish model and metabolomics approach.

INTRODUCTION: Angiogenesis is closely related to a variety of diseases, and therapies based on angiogenesis are intensely investigated. Studies have shown that the use of Gastrodiae Rhizoma (GR, Gastrodia elata) can benefit the treatment of ischemic cardiovascular diseases and atherosclerosis by stimulating angiogenesis. OBJECTIVE: This study tested the angiogenesis effects of a group of chemical markers isolated from GR. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Zebrafish model was used to evaluate angiogenesis by setting four groups: blank control group, model group, positive control group and treatment group (0.1, 1, and 100 µg/mL RGP). The Gray correlation analysis (GCA) was implemented to calculate the correlation coefficients of each compound between the peak area in liquid chromatography time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC-TOF-MS) and the bioactivity, the top ten components with the correlation degree > 0.9 were listed. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: The optimum final concentration of GR on proangiogenesis effect was determined to be 100 µg/mL. Ten compounds, including gastrodin, parishin E, stigmasterol, p-hydroxybenzyl alcohol, citric acid, etc., were identified to have high correlation coefficients with proangiogenic activity. Furthermore, the network pharmacologic analysis of these compounds revealed that the compounds systematically regulate the formation of new blood vessels via networked vital targets and signalling pathways. CONCLUSION: GR can promote the growth of blood vessels, ten chemical components discovered contribute to this proangiogenesis activity. These chemical markers of GR thus provide a foundation for further studies on medicinal substances and quality evaluation of GR, also providing a scientific basis for modern interpretation of the processing theory of traditional Chinese medicine.

Progress in cancer biomarkers monitoring strategies using graphene modified support materials.

Cancer is the one of the fatal and dreaded disease responsible for huge number of morbidity and mortality across the globe. It is expected that the global burden will increase to 21.7 million fresh cancer cases as compared to present estimate of 18.1 million cancer cases in addition to nearly 9.6 million cancer deaths worldwide. In response to cancerous or certain benign conditions; specific type of tumor or cancer markers (biomarkers) are produced at much higher levels which are secreted into the urine, blood, stool, tumor or other tissues. Therefore, the efficient and early detection of cancer biomarkers is necessary which can offer a reliable way for cancer patient screening and diagnosis. This process not only helps in the evaluation of pathogenic processes but also the prognosis of different cancers and pharmacological responses to therapeutic interventions are secured. Over the past several years, electrochemical detection methods have proved to be the most attractive methods among many, due to the advantages, such as simple instrumentation, portability, low cost and high sensitivity. Furthermore, the modifications of these electrochemical immunosensors by utilizing various types of nanomaterials enable these systems to detect trace amount of target tumor markers. Hence, herein, we intend to review the selective works on electrochemical detection of various biomarkers using wide range of nanomaterials with a particular focus on graphene.