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5 pages, 181 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Food and Drug Analysis

by Ping-Chung Kuo

Molecules 2020, 25(10), 2403; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules25102403 - 21 May 2020

Viewed by 1670

Abstract

Food can be regarded as functional if it beneficially affects one or more target functions in the body in a way that is relevant to either the state of well-being and health or to the reduction of the risk of a disease [...] [...] Read more.

Food can be regarded as functional if it beneficially affects one or more target functions in the body in a way that is relevant to either the state of well-being and health or to the reduction of the risk of a disease [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Food and Drug Analysis)

Research

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19 pages, 2101 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Comparison of the Polyphenolic Profile of Medicago sativa L. and Trifolium pratense L. Sprouts in Different Germination Stages Using the UHPLC-Q Exactive Hybrid Quadrupole Orbitrap High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry

by Elena Roxana Chiriac, Carmen Lidia Chiţescu, Daniela Borda, Mariana Lupoae, Cerasela Elena Gird, Elisabeta-Irina Geană, Giorgiana-Valentina Blaga and Rica Boscencu

Molecules 2020, 25(10), 2321; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules25102321 - 15 May 2020

Cited by 30 | Viewed by 3800

Abstract

Identification and quantification of polyphenols in plant material are of great interest since they make a significant contribution to its total bioactivity. In the present study, an UPLC-Orbitrap-MS/MS approach using the variable data acquisition mode (vDIA) was developed and applied for [...] Read more.

Identification and quantification of polyphenols in plant material are of great interest since they make a significant contribution to its total bioactivity. In the present study, an UPLC-Orbitrap-MS/MS approach using the variable data acquisition mode (vDIA) was developed and applied for rapid separation, identification, and quantification of the main polyphenolic compounds in Medicago sativa L. and Trifolium pratense L. sprouts in different germination stages. Based on accurate MS data and fragment ions identification strategy, a total of 29 compounds were identified by comparing their accurate masses, fragment ions, retention times, and literatures. Additionally, a number of 30 compounds were quantified by comparing to the reference standards. Data were statistically analysed. For both plant species, the sprouts of the third germination day are valuable sources of bioactive compounds and could be used in phytotherapy and nutrition. Although Trifolium pratense L. (Red Clover) is considered to be a reference for natural remedies in relieving menopause disorders, alfalfa also showed a high level of biological active compounds with estrogenic activity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Food and Drug Analysis)

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10 pages, 1034 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Clerodane Diterpenoids from Callicarpa hypoleucophylla and Their Anti-Inflammatory Activity

by Yu-Chi Lin, Jue-Jun Lin, Shu-Rong Chen, Tsong-Long Hwang, Shu-Yen Fang, Michal Korinek, Ching-Yeu Chen, Yun-Sheng Lin, Tung-Ying Wu, Ming-Hong Yen, Chih-Hsin Wang and Yuan-Bin Cheng

Molecules 2020, 25(10), 2288; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules25102288 - 13 May 2020

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2549

Abstract

Plants of the genus Callicarpa are known to possess several medicinal effects. The constituents of the Taiwan endemic plant Callicarpa hypoleucophylla have never been studied. Therefore, C. hypoleucophylla was selected for our phytochemical investigation. Two new clerodane-type diterpenoids, named callihypolins A (1 [...] Read more.

Plants of the genus Callicarpa are known to possess several medicinal effects. The constituents of the Taiwan endemic plant Callicarpa hypoleucophylla have never been studied. Therefore, C. hypoleucophylla was selected for our phytochemical investigation. Two new clerodane-type diterpenoids, named callihypolins A (1) and B (2), along with seven known compounds were isolated from the leaves and twigs of the Lamiaceae plant C. hypoleucophylla and then characterized. The structures of compounds 1 and 2 were elucidated by spectroscopic data analysis, specifically, two-dimension nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). The anti-inflammatory activity of compounds 1–9 based on the suppression of superoxide anion generation and elastase release was evaluated. Among the isolates, compounds 2–4 showed anti-inflammatory activity (9.52−32.48% inhibition at the concentration 10 μm) by suppressing superoxide anion generation and elastase release. Our findings not only expand the description of the structural diversity of the compounds present in plants of the genus Callicarpa but also highlight the possibility of developing anti-inflammatory agents from Callicarpa endemic species. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Food and Drug Analysis)

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16 pages, 1026 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Determination of Alternaria Toxins in Sunflower Oil by Liquid Chromatography Isotope Dilution Tandem Mass Spectrometry

by Ádám Tölgyesi, Luca Kozma and Virender K. Sharma

Molecules 2020, 25(7), 1685; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules25071685 - 07 Apr 2020

Cited by 21 | Viewed by 2748

Abstract

Alternaria toxins have gained attention as a potential health risk and can be classified as emerging mycotoxins. As a result, they are candidates to be regulated by the European Commission. This paper describes a liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometric (LC-MS/MS) method for analyzing [...] Read more.

Alternaria toxins have gained attention as a potential health risk and can be classified as emerging mycotoxins. As a result, they are candidates to be regulated by the European Commission. This paper describes a liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometric (LC-MS/MS) method for analyzing five Alternaria toxins in sunflower oil, which is a rather different type of sample to those matrices investigated in earlier published papers. An optimal sample preparation condition was achieved when samples were dissolved in n-hexane and extracted with methanol/water mixture, followed by sample pre-concentration with solvent evaporation. This study is the first focusing only on this lipophilic matrix and in using all corresponding isotopically labeled internal standards (ISTD) to compensate the matrix effect that strongly influences the LC-MS/MS analysis of toxins. Target compounds were separated on Zorbax Extend C-18 column enabling the analysis at alkaline pH of 8.8 that was necessary to obtain appropriate peak shape of tenuazonic acid and to separate the analytes at baseline. The method was validated according to the EU 2002/657/EC Decision and all the analytical performance characteristics met the requirements. The recovery was between 74% and 122% in fortified sunflower oil samples and the precision varied from 9% to 22%. The method was successfully demonstrated for sunflower seed quality check (QC) samples. Finally, 16 different sunflower oil samples were measured; and tenuazonic acid and tentoxin toxins were detected at levels close to LOQ concentrations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Food and Drug Analysis)

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13 pages, 283 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Analytical Detection of Sulfonamides and Organophosphorus Insecticide Residues in Fish in Taiwan

by Chung-Pei Chang, Po-Hsun Hou, Wei-Cheng Yang, Ching-Fen Wu, Chia-Chia Chang, Ming-Yang Tsai, Hsiao-Pei Tsai, Chien-Teng Lin, Yi-Jing Xue, Jiann-Hsiung Wang and Geng-Ruei Chang

Molecules 2020, 25(7), 1501; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules25071501 - 25 Mar 2020

Cited by 22 | Viewed by 3180

Abstract

Exposure to residues of antibiotics (e.g., sulfonamides) and insecticides (e.g., organophosphorus insecticides) in aquacultured food can adversely affect humans and animals and thus affect public health globally. Here, using a validated method, we examined the levels of residues of 12 sulfonamides as well [...] Read more.

Exposure to residues of antibiotics (e.g., sulfonamides) and insecticides (e.g., organophosphorus insecticides) in aquacultured food can adversely affect humans and animals and thus affect public health globally. Here, using a validated method, we examined the levels of residues of 12 sulfonamides as well as 18 organophosphorus insecticides in aquacultured fish in Taiwan. A total of 52 fish samples (i.e., 20 tilapia, 16 milk fish, and 16 perch samples) were obtained from Taiwanese aquafarms from June 2018 to October 2019. We detected 0.02 and 0.03 mg/kg of sulfamethazine (a sulfonamide) in one tilapia and one milk fish, respectively, and 0.02, 0.05, and 0.03 mg/kg of chlorpyrifos (an organophosphorus insecticide) in one tilapia, one milk fish, and one perch, respectively; thus, among the samples, 3.85% and 5.77% contained sulfonamides and organophosphorus insecticide residues, respectively. Furthermore, we assessed human health risk based on the estimated daily intakes (EDIs) of these residues: EDIs of sulfonamide and organophosphorus insecticide residues were <1.0% of the acceptable daily intake recommended by the Joint Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations/World Health Organization Expert Committee on Food Additives. The risk of exposure to sulfonamide and organophosphorus insecticide residue by consuming aquacultured fish in Taiwan was thus negligible, signifying no immediate health risk related to the consumption of fish. Our findings can constitute a reference in efforts geared toward ensuring food safety and monitoring veterinary drug and insecticide residue levels in aquacultured organisms. Residue levels in fish must be continually monitored to further determine possible effects of these residues on human health. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Food and Drug Analysis)

9 pages, 3783 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Briarenols I—K, New Anti-inflammatory 8,17-Epoxybriaranes from the Octocoral Briareum excavatum (Briareidae)

by Thanh-Hao Huynh, Lee-Shing Fang, Yu-Hsin Chen, Bo-Rong Peng, You-Ying Chen, Li-Guo Zheng, Yu-Jen Wu, Zhi-Hong Wen, Jih-Jung Chen, Tzu-Chi Lin and Ping-Jyun Sung

Molecules 2020, 25(6), 1405; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules25061405 - 19 Mar 2020

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2184

Abstract

Five 8,17-epoxybriaranes, including three new compounds—briarenols I–K (1–3), along with two known analogues, briaexcavatolide P (4) and briaexcavatin P (5), were isolated from the octocoral Briareum excavatum. The structures of briaranes 1–3 [...] Read more.

Five 8,17-epoxybriaranes, including three new compounds—briarenols I–K (1–3), along with two known analogues, briaexcavatolide P (4) and briaexcavatin P (5), were isolated from the octocoral Briareum excavatum. The structures of briaranes 1–3 were elucidated by spectroscopic methods, including 1D and 2D NMR studies and (+)-HRESIMS. Briarane 4 exerted inhibition effects on inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) release from RAW 264.7. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Food and Drug Analysis)

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10 pages, 4677 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Identification of 1-Butyl-Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (1B-LSD) in Seized Blotter Paper Using an Integrated Workflow of Analytical Techniques and Chemo-Informatics

by Emmanouil Tsochatzis, Joao Alberto Lopes, Fabiano Reniero, Margaret Holland, Jenny Åberg and Claude Guillou

Molecules 2020, 25(3), 712; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules25030712 - 07 Feb 2020

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 7140

Abstract

The rapid dispersion of new psychoactive substances (NPS) presents challenges to customs services and analytical laboratories, which are involved in their detection and characterization. When the seized material is limited in quantity or of a complex nature, or when the target substance is [...] Read more.

The rapid dispersion of new psychoactive substances (NPS) presents challenges to customs services and analytical laboratories, which are involved in their detection and characterization. When the seized material is limited in quantity or of a complex nature, or when the target substance is present in very small amounts, the need to use advanced analytical techniques, efficient workflows and chemo-informatics tools is essential for the complete identification and elucidation of these substances. The current work describes the application of such a workflow in the analysis of a single blotter paper, seized by Swedish customs, that led to the identification of a lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) derivative, 1-butyl-lysergic acid diethylamide (1B-LSD). Such blotter paper generally contains an amount in the range of 30–100 ug. This substance, which is closely related to 1-propionyl-lysergic acid diethylamide (1P-LSD), seems to have only recently reached the drug street market. Its identification was made possible by comprehensively combining gas chromatography with mass spectrometry detection (GC–MS), liquid chromatography coupled with high-resolution tandem MS (LC–HR-MS/MS), Orbitrap-MS and both 1D and 2D nuclear-magnetic-resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. All the obtained data have been managed, assessed, processed and evaluated using a chemo-informatics platform to produce the effective chemical and structural identification of 1B-LSD in the seized material. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Food and Drug Analysis)

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21 pages, 2949 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Phytochemistry and Comprehensive Chemical Profiling Study of Flavonoids and Phenolic Acids in the Aerial Parts of Allium Mongolicum Regel and Their Intestinal Motility Evaluation

by Yongzhe Dong, Jingya Ruan, Zhijuan Ding, Wei Zhao, Mimi Hao, Ying Zhang, Hongyu Jiang, Yi Zhang and Tao Wang

Molecules 2020, 25(3), 577; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules25030577 - 29 Jan 2020

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2688

Abstract

To clarify whether flavonoids and phenols in Allium mongolicum Regel have the effect of improving gastrointestinal function and analyze its quality, this study was designed to isolate and identify them from the aerial parts of A. mongolicum by using various chromatographic and spectrophotometric [...] Read more.

To clarify whether flavonoids and phenols in Allium mongolicum Regel have the effect of improving gastrointestinal function and analyze its quality, this study was designed to isolate and identify them from the aerial parts of A. mongolicum by using various chromatographic and spectrophotometric methods, a bioassay on motility of mouse isolated intestine tissue, as well as qualitative analysis using liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC-MS) analysis. As a result, 31 flavonoids and phenolic acids were obtained and identified, including six new flavonoid glycosides, mongoflavonosides A₁ (1), A₂ (2), A₃ (3), A₄ (4), B₁ (5), B₂ (6), and four new phenolic acid glycosides, mongophenosides A₁ (7), A₂ (8), A₃ (9), B (10). Among them, eleven flavonoids and three phenolic acids showed significant increase in the height of mouse small intestinal muscle. It was a first systematic bioactive constituents’ study for A. mongolicum on gastrointestinal tract. Furthermore, according to the retention time (t_R) and the exact mass-to-charge ratio (m/z), thirty-one compounds were unambiguously identified by comparing to the standard references by using LC-MS. Then, on the basis of generalized rules of MS/MS fragmentation pattern, chromatographic behaviors, as well as biosynthetic laws of the 31 isolates, five flavonoid glycosides and one phenolic acid glycoside were tentatively speculated. On the basis of the study, a fast analysis method for flavonoids and phenolic acids in A. mongolicum was established. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Food and Drug Analysis)

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18 pages, 3046 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Synthesis, Anticancer Activity, and Preliminary Pharmacokinetic Evaluation of 4,4-Disubstituted Curcuminoid 2,2-bis(Hydroxymethyl)Propionate Derivatives

by Der-Yen Lee, Yu-Chi Hou, Jai-Sing Yang, Hui-Yi Lin, Tsu-Yuan Chang, Kuo-Hsiung Lee, Sheng-Chu Kuo and Min-Tsang Hsieh

Molecules 2020, 25(3), 479; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules25030479 - 22 Jan 2020

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 2787

Abstract

Compound 1 is a curcumin di-O-2,2-bis(hydroxymethyl)propionate that shows significant in vitro and in vivo inhibitory activity against MDA-MB-231 cells with eight to ten-fold higher potency than curcumin. Here, we modified the α-position (C-4 position) of the central 1,3-diketone moiety of 1 [...] Read more.

Compound 1 is a curcumin di-O-2,2-bis(hydroxymethyl)propionate that shows significant in vitro and in vivo inhibitory activity against MDA-MB-231 cells with eight to ten-fold higher potency than curcumin. Here, we modified the α-position (C-4 position) of the central 1,3-diketone moiety of 1 with polar or nonpolar functional groups to afford a series of 4,4-disubstituted curcuminoid 2,2-bis(hydroxymethyl)propionate derivatives and evaluated their anticancer activities. A clear structure–activity relationship of compound 1 derivatives focusing on the functional groups at the C-4 position was established based on their anti-proliferative effects against the MDA-MB-231 and HCT-116 cell lines. Compounds 2–6 are 4,4-dimethylated, 4,4-diethylated, 4,4-dibenzylated, 4,4-dipropargylated and 4,4-diallylated compound 1, respectively. Compounds 2m–6m, the ester hydrolysis products of compounds 2–6, respectively, were synthesized and assessed for anticancer activity. Among all compound 1 derivatives, compound 2 emerged as a potential chemotherapeutic agent for colon cancer due to the promising in vivo anti-proliferative activities of 2 (IC₅₀ = 3.10 ± 0.29 μM) and its ester hydrolysis product 2m (IC₅₀ = 2.17 ± 0.16 μM) against HCT-116. The preliminary pharmacokinetic evaluation of 2 implied that 2 and 2m are main contributors to the in vivo efficacy. Compound 2 was further evaluated in an animal study using HCT-116 colon tumor xenograft bearing nude mice. The results revealed a dose-dependent efficacy that led to tumor volume reductions of 27%, 45%, and 60% at 50, 100, and 150 mg/kg doses, respectively. The established structure–activity relationship and pharmacokinetic outcomes of 2 is the guidance for future development of 4,4-disubstituted curcuminoid 2,2-bis(hydroxymethyl)- propionate derivatives as anticancer drug candidates. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Food and Drug Analysis)

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33 pages, 6850 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Comparative Chemical Profiling and Monacolins Quantification in Red Yeast Rice Dietary Supplements by ¹H-NMR and UHPLC-DAD-MS

by Rabab Hachem, Gaëtan Assemat, Stéphane Balayssac, Nathalie Martins-Froment, Véronique Gilard, Robert Martino and Myriam Malet-Martino

Molecules 2020, 25(2), 317; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules25020317 - 13 Jan 2020

Cited by 14 | Viewed by 4043

Abstract

Red yeast rice dietary supplements (RYR DS) are largely sold in Western countries for their cholesterol-lowering/regulating effect due to monacolins, mainly monacolin K (MK), which is, in fact, lovastatin, the first statin drug on the market. ¹H-NMR was used as an easy, [...] Read more.

Red yeast rice dietary supplements (RYR DS) are largely sold in Western countries for their cholesterol-lowering/regulating effect due to monacolins, mainly monacolin K (MK), which is, in fact, lovastatin, the first statin drug on the market. ¹H-NMR was used as an easy, rapid and accurate method to establish the chemical profiles of 31 RYR DS and to quantify their monacolin contents. Among all the ¹H resonances of the monacolins found in RYR, only those of the ethylenic protons of the hexahydronaphthalenic ring at 5.84 and 5.56 ppm are suitable for quantification because they show no overlap with the matrix signals. The total content in monacolins per capsule or tablet determined in 28 DS (the content in 3 DS being below the limit of quantification of the method, ≈ 0.25 mg per unit dose) was close to that measured by UHPLC, as shown by the good linear correlation between the two sets of values (slope 1.00, y-intercept 0.113, r² 0.986). Thirteen of the 31 RYR DS analyzed (i.e., 42%) did not provide label information on the concentration of monacolins and only nine of the 18 formulations with an indication (i.e., 50%) actually contained the declared amount of monacolins. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Food and Drug Analysis)

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13 pages, 1768 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Traceability of Geographical Origin in Gentiana straminea by UPLC-Q Exactive Mass and Multivariate Analyses

by Zheng Pan, Feng Xiong, Yi-Long Chen, Guo-Guo Wan, Yi Zhang, Zhi-Wei Chen, Wen-Fu Cao and Guo-Ying Zhou

Molecules 2019, 24(24), 4478; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules24244478 - 06 Dec 2019

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2676

Abstract

The root of Gentiana straminea Maxim. (Gentianaceae), is officially listed as “Qin-Jiao” in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia for the treatment of rheumatic arthritis, icteric hepatitis, constipation, pain, and hypertension. To establish the geographical origin traceability in G. straminea, its chemical profiles were determined [...] Read more.

The root of Gentiana straminea Maxim. (Gentianaceae), is officially listed as “Qin-Jiao” in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia for the treatment of rheumatic arthritis, icteric hepatitis, constipation, pain, and hypertension. To establish the geographical origin traceability in G. straminea, its chemical profiles were determined by a UPLC-Q exactive mass spectrometer, from which 43 compounds were identified by comparing retention times and mass spectrometry. Meanwhile, a pair of isomers (loganin and secologanol) was identified by mass spectrometry based on their fragmentation pathway. A total of 42 samples from difference habitats were determined by an UPLC-Q exactive mass spectrometer and the data were assayed with multivariate statistical analysis. Eight characteristic compounds were identified to determine the geographical origin of the herb. To estimate the key characteristic markers associated with pharmacological function, the inhibiting activities of nitric oxide (NO) production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced macrophages were examined. This finding is crucial in realizing the determination of botanical origin and evaluating the quality of G. straminea. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Food and Drug Analysis)

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11 pages, 1316 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Constituents and Anti-Multidrug Resistance Activity of Taiwanofungus camphoratus on Human Cervical Cancer Cells

by Hsin-Yi Hung, Chin-Chuan Hung, Jun-Weil Liang, Chin-Fu Chen, Hung-Yi Chen, Po-Chuen Shieh, Ping-Chung Kuo and Tian-Shung Wu

Molecules 2019, 24(20), 3730; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules24203730 - 16 Oct 2019

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2574

Abstract

Resistance to anti-cancer drugs is one of the main factors of treatment failure resulting in high morbidity. Among the reasons of resistance, overexpression of efflux pumps leading to multidrug resistance is an important issue that needs to be solved. Taiwanofungus camphoratus has been [...] Read more.

Resistance to anti-cancer drugs is one of the main factors of treatment failure resulting in high morbidity. Among the reasons of resistance, overexpression of efflux pumps leading to multidrug resistance is an important issue that needs to be solved. Taiwanofungus camphoratus has been used as a nutritional supplement to treat various cancers. However, its effects on the resistance to chemotherapeutic agents are still unknown. In this study, we report four new chemical constituents of T. camphoratus isolated from an ether extract: camphoratins K (1) and N (2) and benzocamphorins G (3) and I (4). Furthermore, we evaluated zhankuic acids A–C for their P-glycoprotein (P-gp) inhibitory effects. The results showed that zhankuic acid A was the most potent P-gp inhibitor compound and (at 20 μM) could reverse drug resistance in human cancer cells, restoring an IC₅₀ of 78.5 nM for doxorubicin, of 48.5 nM for paclitaxel, and of 321.5 nM for vincristine, indicating a reversal fold of 48, 38, and 45 times, respectively. This study provides support for the use of T. camphoratus in the further development of cancer therapy. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Food and Drug Analysis)

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12 pages, 1879 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Characterizing Tyrosinase Modulators from the Roots of Angelica keiskei Using Tyrosinase Inhibition Assay and UPLC-MS/MS as the Combinatorial Novel Approach

by Jia-Hao Lee, Hui-Ching Mei, I-Chih Kuo, Tzong-Huei Lee, Yu-Hsin Chen and Ching-Kuo Lee

Molecules 2019, 24(18), 3297; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules24183297 - 10 Sep 2019

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2604

Abstract

In this study, an in vitro tyrosinase inhibition assay in combination with ultra performance liquid chromatography-orbitrap mass spectrometry (UPLC-orbitrap-MS) was developed for the rapid screening and identification of tyrosinase modulators from roots of Angelica keiskei. Of the 15 candidates considered, nine chalcones, [...] Read more.

In this study, an in vitro tyrosinase inhibition assay in combination with ultra performance liquid chromatography-orbitrap mass spectrometry (UPLC-orbitrap-MS) was developed for the rapid screening and identification of tyrosinase modulators from roots of Angelica keiskei. Of the 15 candidates considered, nine chalcones, xanthoangelols (1), B (2), D (3), E (4), G (5), H (6), 4-hydroxyderricin (7), xanthokeismin B (8) and (2E)-1-[4-hydroxy-2-(2-hydroxy-2-propanyl)-2,3-dihydro-1-benzofuran-7-yl]-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-propen-1-one (9), five coumarins, umbelliferone (10), selinidin (11), isopimpinellin (12), phellopterin (13) and xanthyletin (14), and one other compound, ashitabaol A (15), were distinguished between the test samples and the controls with statistical significance, and the structure of each compound was determined by comparing with in-house standards and the literature. Among these, six compounds, xanthoangelol (1), xanthoangelol D (3), xanthoangelol H (6), 4-hydroxyderricin (7), laserpitin (16) and isolaserpitin (17), were isolated from roots of A. keiskei. Of the compounds isolated, compounds 1, 7 and 16 were subjected to tyrosinase inhibitory assay, and the IC₅₀ values were 15.87 ± 1.21, 60.14 ± 2.29 and >100 μM, respectively. The present study indicated that the combination of in vitro tyrosinase inhibition assay coupled with UPLC-MS/MS could be widely applied to the rapid screening of active substances from various natural resources. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Food and Drug Analysis)

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12 pages, 1588 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Intake of Molecular Hydrogen in Drinking Water Increases Membrane Transporters, p-Glycoprotein, and Multidrug Resistance-Associated Protein 2 without Affecting Xenobiotic-Metabolizing Enzymes in Rat Liver

by Hsien-Tsung Yao, Yu-Hsuan Yang and Mei-Ling Li

Molecules 2019, 24(14), 2627; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules24142627 - 19 Jul 2019

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3166

Abstract

Molecular hydrogen (H₂) has been shown to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities that may reduce the development and progression of many diseases. In this study, hydrogen-rich water (HRW) was obtained by reacting hybrid magnesium–carbon hydrogen storage materials with water. Then, the [...] Read more.

Molecular hydrogen (H₂) has been shown to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities that may reduce the development and progression of many diseases. In this study, hydrogen-rich water (HRW) was obtained by reacting hybrid magnesium–carbon hydrogen storage materials with water. Then, the effects of intake of HRW on the activities of xenobiotic-metabolizing enzymes, membrane transporters, and oxidative stress in rats were investigated. Rats were given HRW ad libitum for four weeks. The results showed that intake of HRW had no significant effect on the activities of various cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes (CYP1A1, 1A2, 2B, 2C, 2D, 2E1, 3A, and 4A), glutathione-S-transferase, and Uridine 5′-diphospho (UDP)-glucuronosyltransferase. Except for a mild lower plasma glucose concentration, intake of HRW had no effect on other plasma biochemical parameters in rats. p-Glycoprotein and multidrug resistance-associated protein (Mrp) 2 protein expressions in liver were elevated after intake of HRW. However, HRW had no significant effects on glutathione, glutathione peroxidase, or lipid peroxidation in liver. The results from this study suggest that consumption of HRW may not affect xenobiotic metabolism or oxidative stress in liver. However, intake of HRW may increase the efflux of xenobiotics or toxic substances from the liver into bile by enhancing p-glycoprotein and Mrp2 protein expressions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Food and Drug Analysis)

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12 pages, 6838 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Screening of the Active Component Promoting Leydig Cell Proliferation from Lepidium meyenii Using HPLC-ESI-MS/MS Coupled with Multivariate Statistical Analysis

by Xiao-chen Gao, Jing-wei Lv, Chun-nan Li, Nan-xi Zhang, Lin-lin Tian, Xi-ying Han, Hui Zhang and Jia-ming Sun

Molecules 2019, 24(11), 2101; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules24112101 - 03 Jun 2019

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 3220

Abstract

Lepidium meyenii is now widely consumed as a functional food and medicinal product, which is known as an enhancer of reproductive health. However, the specific chemical composition and mechanism of action for improving sexual function are unclear. The present study aims at screening [...] Read more.

Lepidium meyenii is now widely consumed as a functional food and medicinal product, which is known as an enhancer of reproductive health. However, the specific chemical composition and mechanism of action for improving sexual function are unclear. The present study aims at screening and determining the potential compounds, which promote mouse leydig cells (TM3) proliferation. The partial least squares analysis (PLS) was employed to reveal the correlation between common peaks of high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) fingerprint of L. meyenii and the proliferation activity of TM3. The results suggested that three compounds had good activities on the proliferation of TM3 and promoting testosterone secretion, there were N-benzyl-hexadecanamide, N-benzyl-(9z,12z)-octadecadienamide and N-benzyl-(9z,12z,15z)-octadecatrienamide which might be the potential bioactive markers related to the enhancing sexual ability functions of L. meyenii. The first step in testosterone synthesis is the transport of cholesterol into the mitochondria, and the homeostasis of mitochondrial function is related to cyclophilin D (CypD). In order to expound how bioactive ingredients lead to promoting testosterone secretion, a molecular docking simulation was used for further illustration in the active sites and binding degree of the ligands on CypD. The results indicated there was a positive correlation between the binding energy absolute value and testosterone secretion activity. In addition, in this study it also provided the reference for a simple, quick method to screen the promoting leydig cell proliferation active components in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Food and Drug Analysis)

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Review

Jump to: Editorial, Research

18 pages, 1588 KiB

Open AccessReview

Advances in the Analysis of Veterinary Drug Residues in Food Matrices by Capillary Electrophoresis Techniques

by Raffaella Colombo and Adele Papetti

Molecules 2019, 24(24), 4617; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules24244617 - 17 Dec 2019

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 3913

Abstract

In the last years, the European Commission has adopted restrictive directives on food quality and safety in order to protect animal and human health. Veterinary drugs represent an important risk and the need to have sensitive and fast analytical techniques to detect and [...] Read more.

In the last years, the European Commission has adopted restrictive directives on food quality and safety in order to protect animal and human health. Veterinary drugs represent an important risk and the need to have sensitive and fast analytical techniques to detect and quantify them has become mandatory. Over the years, the availability of different modes, interfaces, and formats has improved the versatility, sensitivity, and speed of capillary electrophoresis (CE) techniques. Thus, CE represents a powerful tool for the analysis of a large variety of food matrices and food-related molecules with important applications in food quality and safety. This review focuses the attention of CE applications over the last decade on the detection of different classes of drugs (used as additives in animal food or present as contaminants in food products) with a potential risk for animal and human health. In addition, considering that the different sample preparation procedures have strongly contributed to CE sensitivity and versatility, the most advanced sample pre-concentration techniques are discussed here. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Food and Drug Analysis)

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Open AccessReview

Anti-Inflammatory and Anticancer Properties of Bioactive Compounds from Sesamum indicum L.—A Review

by Ming-Shun Wu, Levent Bless B. Aquino, Marjette Ylreb U. Barbaza, Chieh-Lun Hsieh, Kathlia A. De Castro-Cruz, Ling-Ling Yang and Po-Wei Tsai

Molecules 2019, 24(24), 4426; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules24244426 - 04 Dec 2019

Cited by 82 | Viewed by 9887

Abstract

The use of foodstuff as natural medicines has already been established through studies demonstrating the pharmacological activities that they exhibit. Knowing the nutritional and pharmacological significance of foods enables the understanding of their role against several diseases. Among the foods that can potentially [...] Read more.

The use of foodstuff as natural medicines has already been established through studies demonstrating the pharmacological activities that they exhibit. Knowing the nutritional and pharmacological significance of foods enables the understanding of their role against several diseases. Among the foods that can potentially be considered as medicine, is sesame or Sesamum indicum L., which is part of the Pedaliaceae family and is composed of its lignans such as sesamin, sesamol, sesaminol and sesamolin. Its lignans have been widely studied and are known to possess antiaging, anticancer, antidiabetes, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Modern chronic diseases, which can transform into clinical diseases, are potential targets of these lignans. The prime example of chronic diseases is rheumatic inflammatory diseases, which affect the support structures and the organs of the body and can also develop into malignancies. In line with this, studies emphasizing the anti-inflammatory and anticancer activities of sesame have been discussed in this review. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Food and Drug Analysis)

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