Qualitative mass spectrometric analysis of the total diterpene bases from the roots ofAconitum kusnezoffi

A quantitative analysis of the roots ofAconitum kusnezoffi has been made by a group of mass-spectrometric methods. Twelve diterpene bases have been studied of which ten have been identified as beiwutine, aconitine. mesaconitine, 3-deoxyaconitine, hypaconitine, neoline, songorine, isotalatisidine, talatisidine, and 10-hydroxyneoline.Translated from Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 1, pp. 89–92, January–February, 1996. Original article submitted August 7, 1995.     

An interesting two‐phase solvent system and its use in preparative isolation of aconitines from aconite roots by counter‐current chromatography

Two‐phase solvent system plays crucial role in successful separation of organic compounds using counter‐current chromatography (CCC). An interesting two‐phase solvent system, composed of chloroform/ethyl acetate/methanol/water, is reported here, in which both phases contain sufficient organic solvents to balance their dissolving capacities. Adjusting the solvent system to get satisfactory partition coefficients (K values) for target compounds becomes relatively simple. This solvent system succeeded in sample preparation of aconitine (8.07 mg, 93.69%), hypaconitine (7.74 mg, 93.17%), mesaconitine (1.95 mg, 94.52%) from raw aconite roots (102.24 mg, crude extract), benzoylmesaconine (34.79 mg, 98.67%) from processed aconite roots (400.01 mg, crude extract), and yunaconitine (253.59 mg, 98.65%) from a crude extract of Aconitum forrestii (326.69 mg, crude extract).     

A New Alkaloid from the Roots of Aconitum carmichaeli Debx.

A new diterpene alkaloid, 12‐epi‐15‐O‐acetyl‐17‐benzoyl‐16‐hydroxy‐16,17‐dihydronapelline ( 1 ), along with nine known diterpene alkaloids including yunaconitine ( 2 ), neoline ( 3 ), mesaconitine ( 4 ), beiwutine ( 5 ), chasmanine ( 6 ), songorine ( 7 ), 12‐epi‐napelline ( 8 ), foresticine ( 9 ), and 15α‐hydroxyneoline ( 10 ) were isolated from the roots of Aconitum carmichaeli Debx. The structure of compound 1 was elucidated by comprehensive spectroscopic analysis.     

Exploring the ester-exchange reactions of diester-diterpenoid alkaloids in the aconite decoction process by electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry

The chemical components in the decoctions of Chinese herbal medicines are not always the same as those in the crude herbs because of the insolubility or instability of some compounds. In this work electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry was used to explore the ester-exchange reactions for aconitine-type diester-diterpenoid alkaloids occurring during the process of decocting aconite root. The aconitines were screened in a diverse range of samples, including crude aconite, decoction of crude aconite, residues from decoction of crude aconite, prepared aconite, decoction of prepared aconite, decoction of prepared aconite with added palmitic acid, and decoction of a mixture of mesaconitine and hypaconitine standards with liquorice root. It was found that diester-diterpenoid aconitines were converted into lipo-alkaloids as well as monoester alkaloids by the decoction of aconite.     

Targeted profiling and relative quantification of benzoyl diterpene alkaloids in Aconitum roots by using LC–MS/MS with precursor ion scan

Benzoyl aconite alkaloids have myocardial protective effects at a low dose and produce toxic effects at high dose. Due to lack of enough reference compounds, most of the benzoyl alkaloids had few concerns, except the typical ones, i.e. aconitine, mesaconitine, and hypaconitine. To rapidly screen out and quantify benzoyl alkaloids, a high performance liquid chromatography combined with tandem mass spectrometry was proposed based on precursor ion scanning mode. First, a diagnostic ion at m/z 105 corresponding to benzoyl group was observed by using tandem mass spectrometry, which could be used for the rapid identification of benzoyl alkaloids. The targeted screening of these alkaloids was then conducted by using precursor ion scan of characteristic ion at m/z 105. Shengfuzi (the lateral root of A. carmichaelii) was taken as example, and 24 benzoyl‐containing alkaloids were identified. The six major alkaloids including aconitine, mesaconitine, hypaconitine, benzoylaconine, benzoylmesaconine, and benzoylhypaconine were determined in the precursor ion scan mode by the standard curve method. Reliable linearity, sensitivity, precision, accuracy, and repeatability were obtained and validated. Then the relative response factors between these six analytes were calculated, which were not more than two times using any alkaloid as reference. Thus, the other 18 alkaloids lacking reference compounds were relatively quantified. This approach provides a useful tool for rapid identification and quantitative analysis of toxic benzoyl alkaloids, and also an efficient method for the safety assessment of Aconitum roots.     

HPLC测定植物性农药——0.25%乌头总碱乳油中的乌头类生物碱

 选择十八烷基键合相柱 ,以甲醇 水 氯仿 三乙胺 (体积比为 6 8∶32∶2∶0 1)混合溶液为流动相 ,用高效液相法测定了一种植物性农药 0 2 5 %乌头总碱乳油中的乌头生物碱。实验结果表明中乌头碱、乌头碱及次乌头碱与其他杂质能够得到很好的分离。以安宫黄体酮作内标物 ,用峰面积比测定各生物碱含量 ,在其线性范围内分析结果准确 ,回收率高 (>92 % ) ,重现性好 (RSD <3 2 % ) 。     

Qualitative and quantitative analysis of the chemical constituents in Mahuang‐Fuzi‐Xixin decoction based on high performance liquid chromatography combined with time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry and triple quadrupole mass spectrometers

High‐performance liquid chromatography coupled with time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (HPLC‐TOF/MS) and high‐performance liquid chromatography–triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (HPLC‐QQQ/MS/MS) were utilized to clarify the chemical constituents of Mahuang‐Fuzi‐Xixin Decoction. There are 52 compounds, including alkaloids, amino acids and organic acids were identified or tentatively characterized by their characteristic high resolution mass data by HPLC‐QQQ/MS/MS. In the subsequent quantitative analysis, 10 constituents, including methyl ephedrine, aconine, songrine, fuziline, neoline, talatisamine, chasmanine, benzoylmesaconine, benzoylaconine and benzoylhypaconine were simultaneously determined by HPLC‐QQQ/MS/MS with multiple reaction monitoring mode. Satisfactory linearity was achieved with wide linear range and fine determination coefficient (r > 0.9992). The relative standard deviations (RSD) of inter‐ and intra‐day precisions were <3%. This method was also validated by repeatability, stability and recovery with RSD <3% respectively. A highly sensitive and efficient method was established for chemical constituents studying, including identification and quantification of Mahuang‐Fuzi‐Xixin decoction.     

Ultra‐fast LC–ESI‐MS/MS method for the simultaneous determination of six highly toxic Aconitum alkaloids from Aconiti kusnezoffii radix in rat plasma and its application to a pharmacokinetic study

A fast, sensitive, and efficient ultra‐fast LC–ESI‐MS/MS method was developed for the simultaneous quantitation of six highly toxic Aconitum alkaloids, that is, aconitine, mesaconitine, hypaconitine, benzoylaconine, benzoylmesaconine, and benzoylhypaconine, in rat plasma after oral administration of crude ethanol extracts from Aconiti kusnezoffii radix by ultrasonic extraction, reflux extraction for 1 h, and reflux extraction for 3 h, respectively. The separation of six Aconitum alkaloids and aminopyrine (internal standard) was performed on an InertSustain® C₁₈ column, and the quantification of the analytes was performed on a 4000Q ultra‐fast LC–MS/MS system with turbo ion spray source in the positive ion and multiple‐reaction monitoring mode. Absolute recoveries ranged within 65.06–85.1% for plasma samples. The intra‐ and interday precision and accuracy of analytes were satisfactory. The methods were validated with sensitivity reaching the lower LOQ for aconitine, mesaconitine, hypaconitine, benzoylaconine, benzoylmesaconine, and benzoylhypaconine, which were 0.025, 0.025, 0.050, 0.025, 0.025, and 0.100 ng/mL, respectively. The method was successfully applied to a pharmacokinetic study of six Aconitum alkaloids in rat plasma after oral administration of crude ethanol extracts from the raw root of Aconitum kusnezoffii Reichb. by three different extraction processes.     

Comparative investigation of phytochemicals among ten citrus herbs by ultra high performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry and evaluation of their antioxidant properties

The citrus herbs have proved their important medicinal and nutritional values as medicine–food dual‐purpose herbs, functional foods, or medical herbs in China. In this study, phytochemicals and antioxidant activity among ten typical citrus herbs (ethanol extracts) were investigated comprehensively. The major ingredients and their contents were analyzed by high‐resolution mass spectrometry, and the differences of typical fragment ions between flavanone‐7‐O‐rutinoside(s) and flavanone‐7‐O‐neohesperidoside(s) were discriminated properly in negative electrospray ionization mode. Total polyphenols, total flavonoids, 1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl, 2,2′‐azino‐bis(3‐ethylbenzothiazoline‐6‐sulphonic acid), and ferric reducing antioxidant power tests were performed, which indicated their beneficial values and antioxidant effects. The medicine–food dual‐purpose herbs including Chenpi, Juluo, Daidaihua, Huajuhong, Xiangyuan, and Foshou exhibited antioxidant capacities significantly by decreasing intracellular reactive oxygen species intensity (P < 0.01), enhancing superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase activities (P < 0.01) in H₂O₂‐induced RIN‐m5F cells. Moreover, the functional foods Zhishi, Zhiqiao, and Qingpi showed moderate antioxidant bioactivity, while the medical herb Juhe showed weak antioxidant bioactivity, which were consistent with the multivariate analysis of their major flavonoids. The study provided a new sight for the chemical differentiation and practical application of citrus herbs as medicine–food dual‐purpose herbs, functional foods, or medical herbs.     

Enhancement by Glycyrrhizae Radix of hepatic metabolism of hypaconitine,a major bioactive and toxic component of Aconiti Laterlis Radix,evaluated by HPLC‐TQ‐MS/MS analysis

Glycyrrhizae Radix (GR) is often prescribed together with Aconiti Laterlis Radix (ALR) (a so‐called compatible drug pair) in traditional Chinese medicinal practice to reduce toxicity of ALR. However, the mechanisms involved remain to be addressed. In this study, the metabolic interactions between GR–ALR drug pair were investigated for the first time. First, an HPLC‐TQ‐MS/MS method was developed to analyze hypaconitine, a major bioactive and toxic component of ALR, in rat liver S9. Then the in vitro metabolic rates of hypaconitine by different rat liver S9 were compared using the established method. The experiments were designed in four groups: pure hypaconitine (group I) and ALR extract (group II) incubated with liver S9 of normal rats, and pure hypaconitine (group III) and ALR extract (group IV) incubated with liver S9 of GR‐pretreated rats. When incubated for more than 4 h, the metabolic rates of hypaconitine in group III were significantly higher than those in group I, and when incubated for more than 2 h, the metabolic rates of hypaconitine in group IV were significantly higher than those in group II, suggesting that GR can enhance metabolic rate of hypaconitine, the mechanism of which might be related to hepatic metabolizing enzyme induction by GR. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Simultaneous determination of six Aconitum alkaloids in proprietary Chinese medicines by high-performance liquid chromatography

By optimizing the extraction, separation and analytical conditions, a reliable and accurate high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method coupled with photodiode array detector (DAD) was developed for simultaneous quantitative determination of six Aconitum alkaloids, i.e., aconitine, mesaconitine, hypaconitine, benzoylaconine, benzoylmesaconine and benzoylhypaconine, in Chinese medicinal herbs, aconite roots, and 12 proprietary Chinese medicines containing processed aconite roots. The separation of these Aconitum alkaloids was achieved on an ODS column with gradient elution using solvents of acetonitrile and ammonium bicarbonate buffer (pH 10.0+/-0.2). Intra-assay and inter-assay precision of the analytes were less than 2.97%, and the average recovery rates obtained were in the range of 90-103% for all with RSDs below 3.28%. Good linear relationships were showed with correlation coefficients for the analytes exceeded 0.999. Quantitative analysis of the six Aconitum alkaloids in the unprocessed and processed aconite roots and in twelve proprietary Chinese medicines containing processed aconite roots showed that the contents of the alkaloids varied significantly. This method and quantitation results can provide a scientific and technical platform to the products manufacturers for setting up a quality control standard as well as to the public for quality and safety assurance of the proprietary Chinese medicines and other herbal preparations containing aconite roots.     

Antiviral activity of aconite alkaloids from Aconitum carmichaelii Debx

Four diterpenoid alkaloids, namely, (a) hypaconitine, (b) songorine, (c) mesaconitine and (d) aconitine, were isolated from the ethanol root extract of Aconitum carmichaelii Debx. The antiviral activities of these alkaloids against tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) and cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) were evaluated. Antiviral activity test in vivo showed that compounds a and c, which were C19-diterpenoid alkaloids, showed inactivation efficacy values of 82.4 and 85.6% against TMV at 500 μg/mL, respectively. By contrast, compound c presented inactivation activity of 52.1% against CMV at 500 μg/mL, which was almost equal to that of the commercial Ningnanmycin (87.1% inactivation activity against TMV and 53.8% inactivation activity against CMV). C19-Diterpenoid alkaloids displayed moderate to high antiviral activity against TMV and CMV at 500 μg/mL, dosage plays an important role in antiviral activities. This paper is the first report on the evolution of aconite diterpenoid alkaloids for antiviral activity against CMV.     

Aconitum lipo-alkaloids--semisynthetic products of the traditional medicine

The term lipo-alkaloid is used for C19 aconitane alkaloids containing one or two long-chain fatty acid residues. Lipo-alkaloids are transesterified derivatives of the most toxic and highly effective diester-type diterpene alkaloids, such as aconitine, hypaconitine, mesaconitine. Lipo-alkaloids are native minor compounds of aconite drugs, but their amount significantly increases after traditional processing, which is a general method in the Far Eastern traditional medicinal systems. Analytical works demonstrated that cautious processing (usually boiling) of crude aconite roots decreases the amount of normal diterpene alkaloids and increases the concentration of lipo-alkaloids resulting in the reduction of toxicity of the drugs. Many papers reported that lipo-alkaloids occur as a complex mixture in the drugs, and the isolation of the individual components is extremely difficult. These compounds have been identified using highly sensitive analytical methods (HPLC-MS, NMR), and semisynthetic approaches have been developed to ensure lipo-alkaloids in pure form for pharmacological studies. This review summarizes the structure, chemistry, semisynthesis, analytics and bioactivities of lipo-alkaloids. On the basis of 32 references this is the first comprehensive study on this topic, covering the data of 173 compounds.     

Rapid determination of yunaconitine and related alkaloids in aconites and aconite‐containing drugs by ultra high‐performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry

Yunaconitine (YAC) is a toxic aconite alkaloid that is considered to be a hidden aconite poison since it is frequently found in body fluids from aconite poisoning patients, but has not been well studied in commonly used herbal drugs. In this paper, a rapid and sensitive ultra high‐performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC‐MS/MS) detection combined with microwave‐assisted extraction (MAE) was developed for high throughput simultaneous determination of YAC and six other toxic aconite alkaloids in 31 samples of crude, processed aconites and aconite‐containing drugs. The optimized method showed excellent linearity, precision, accuracy and recovery for all target compounds with short run time. YAC was detected in some samples with contents from 0.015 to 10.41 mg/g. This is the first report on the determination of YAC in Radix Aconiti, Radix Aconiti Kusnezoffii and aconite‐containing drugs. This newly developed method facilitates the rapid screening of YAC and related toxic aconite alkaloids and allows YAC to be used as a chemical marker for the quality control of aconites and aconite‐containing drugs. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Comprehensive quality evaluation of the lateral root of Aconitum carmichaelii Debx. (Fuzi): Simultaneous determination of nine alkaloids and chemical fingerprinting coupled with chemometric analysis

Amino alcohol alkaloids are the active components in the lateral root of Aconitum carmichaelii Debx. (Fuzi), and they have a variety of pharmacological activities. However, the chemical fingerprints of the ester alkaloids reported to date were mainly obtained from high‐performance liquid chromatography coupled with ultraviolet detection, and it is difficult to obtain information about amino alcohol alkaloids in Fuzi from such chromatograms. In this paper, a comprehensive fingerprinting method was established using high‐performance liquid chromatography coupled with an evaporative light‐scattering detector for the simultaneous quantitative analysis of both the amino alcohol alkaloids and ester alkaloids. A total of 42 samples of Fuzi from four production areas were analyzed by constructing high‐performance liquid chromatography fingerprints. Then, the quantitative results of the chemical fingerprints combined with chemometrics methods were employed to reveal the factors affecting the geo‐authentic Fuzi and to determine characteristic components that can be used to identify these samples. The results indicated distinct differences in the alkaloid contents among samples from the four regions; the geographical origin may be the primary factor affecting the geo‐authentic Fuzi, and 15 major components (including songorine, neoline, and hypaconitine, which were quantitatively determined) were found to be characteristic components for the discrimination of Fuzi samples from various regions. Neoline might be a critical component for identifying geo‐authentic Fuzi. This approach is convenient, reproducible and provides a promising method for the quality evaluation of Fuzi.     

A metabolomic analysis of the toxicity of Aconitum sp. alkaloids in rats using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry

A metabolomic investigation of intoxication with Aconitum sp. alkaloids was carried out. Plasma obtained from Wistar rats administered these alkaloids was analyzed using gas chromatography/time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry. Samples were analyzed following protein precipitation, liquid‐liquid extraction, and derivatization. Thirty‐six metabolites were identified among the detected compounds. Subsequent data analysis using the t test and principal component analysis revealed metabolic differences between the control rats and treated groups as well as between the groups of rats administered different alkaloids. Twenty‐seven metabolites were significantly different between plasma samples from the controls and treated groups. The significant decreased plasma levels of glutamine and creatinine in all treated groups suggested impaired heart and muscle function caused by alkaloids. The plasma levels of 22 metabolites in the hypaconitine group were significantly decreased. In contrast, only 8 and 13 metabolites were observed with significantly decreased levels in the aconitine and mesaconitine groups, respectively.These results indicated that Aconitum sp. alkaloids can cause metabolic disorders in rats. The toxicity and corresponding mechanism of hypaconitine was different from those of aconitine and mesaconitine, based on the differences of perturbed metabolic patterns between groups. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A new denudatine type C20-diterpenoid alkaloid from Aconitum sinchiangense W. T. Wang

A new denudatine-type C₂₀-diterpenoid alkaloid, designated as sinchianine (1), together with eight known diterpenoid alkaloids, 12-acetyl-12-epi-napelline (2), 12-epi-napelline (3), neoline (4), talatisamine (5), 14-O-acetylsenbusine A (6) and benzoylaconine (7), songorine (8) and aconitine (9), were isolated from the whole herb of Aconitum sinchiangense W. T. Wang. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analyses (NMR and HR-ESI-MS) and comparison with data reported in the literature.     

Rapid quality assessment of Radix Aconiti Preparata using direct analysis in real time mass spectrometry

This study presents a novel and rapid method to identify chemical markers for the quality control of Radix Aconiti Preparata, a world widely used traditional herbal medicine. In the method, the samples with a fast extraction procedure were analyzed using direct analysis in real time mass spectrometry (DART MS) combined with multivariate data analysis. At present, the quality assessment approach of Radix Aconiti Preparata was based on the two processing methods recorded in Chinese Pharmacopoeia for the purpose of reducing the toxicity of Radix Aconiti and ensuring its clinical therapeutic efficacy. In order to ensure the safety and effectivity in clinical use, the processing degree of Radix Aconiti should be well controlled and assessed. In the paper, hierarchical cluster analysis and principal component analysis were performed to evaluate the DART MS data of Radix Aconiti Preparata samples in different processing times. The results showed that the well processed Radix Aconiti Preparata, unqualified processed and the raw Radix Aconiti could be clustered reasonably corresponding to their constituents. The loading plot shows that the main chemical markers having the most influence on the discrimination amongst the qualified and unqualified samples were mainly some monoester diterpenoid aconitines and diester diterpenoid aconitines, i.e. benzoylmesaconine, hypaconitine, mesaconitine, neoline, benzoylhypaconine, benzoylaconine, fuziline, aconitine and 10-OH-mesaconitine. The established DART MS approach in combination with multivariate data analysis provides a very flexible and reliable method for quality assessment of toxic herbal medicine.     

Simultaneous high‐performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry quantification of six bioactive components in rat plasma after oral administration of Yougui pill

Yougui pills are a classic Chinese medicine that shows significant effects on nerve regeneration and neuroprotection in modern pharmacological studies. With a complex formula, Yougui pills have faced significant challenges in the fields of bioanalysis and pharmacokinetics in animals and human studies. In the present study, a specific and accurate high‐performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry method was developed and validated for the quantitative determination of the six bioactive components in rat plasma after oral administration of Yougui pills. Chromatographic separation was performed on a C18 column with a gradient elution system. Samples were analysed using positive ion mode with multiple reaction monitoring mode. The assay showed good linearity for all six bioactive components in the dynamic range of 0.50 to 50 ng/mL with acceptable intra‐ and inter‐batch accuracy and precision. The lower limits of quantification were 0.50 ng/mL for all six bioactive components. The method was successfully applied to rat pharmacokinetics after oral administration of Yougui pills. All six bioactive components were detected in rat plasma, including songorine, benzoylhypaconitine, benzoylmesaconitine, neoline, karacoline, and sweroside, while some other target compounds were not detected, such as rhmannioside A, loganin, and cornuside I. After oral administration of Yougui pills at a dose of 2500 mg/kg, all six bioactive components were rapidly absorbed, resulting in t_max values less than 1 h and relative lower C_max values. The t_1/2 values for songorine, benzoylhypaconitine, benzoylmesaconitine, neoline, karacoline, and sweroside were calculated to be 2.62 ± 0.67, 2.11 ± 0.45, 1.94 ± 0.35, 1.88 ± 0.31, 2.07 ± 0.44, and 1.59 ± 0.30 h, which indicated that Yougui pills should be taken in multiple oral doses over a relatively short period.     

利用液质联用技术分析干姜对乌头类生物碱在大鼠肠内吸收的影响

为从吸收的角度考察干姜对乌头类双酯型生物碱的解毒机理, 采用外翻肠囊法展开实验. 利用超高液相与三重四极杆质谱联用技术定量检测双酯型生物碱成分, 采用标准曲线法计算乌头碱、中乌头碱、次乌头碱在肠囊内吸收的绝对含量, 采用质谱峰面积直接分析其它双酯型生物碱的相对变化, 结果加入干姜提取液后, 乌头碱、中乌头碱、次乌头碱的单位肠管面积累计吸收量均降低, 10-羟基中乌头碱的的累积峰面积降低; 加入维拉帕米后, 双酯型生物碱的单位肠管面积累计吸收量及累积峰面积均增加; 向含有地高辛的肠营养液中加入干姜提取液后, 地高辛在各实验时间点的单位肠管面积累计吸收量均降低, 根据以上结果推测干姜抑制乌头类双酯型生物碱在大鼠肠囊内吸收的可能机制是通过诱导肠内P-葡糖蛋白, 从而抑制作为P-葡糖蛋白底物的双酯型生物碱的吸收, 最终起到减毒作用.