New indications of potential rat intestinal α-glucosidase inhibition by Syzygium zeylanicum (L.) and its hypoglycemic effect in mice

Research on Chemical Intermediates - Natural α-glucosidase inhibitors (aGIs) have been considered effective agents for type 2 diabetes management. In this study, Syzygium zeylanicum (L.)...     

Determination of α-chaconine and α-solanine in commercial potato crisps by QuEChERS extraction and UPLC-MS/MS

A simple and fast analytical method for the determination of the main steroidal glycoalkaloids, α-chaconine and α-solanine, in commercial potato crisps, based on QuEChERS (Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged, Safe) extraction and ultra performance liquid chromatography coupled with an electrospray ionization triple-quadrupole tandem mass spectrometer (UPLC-MS/MS) in the multiple reaction monitoring mode was established and validated. The sample preparation procedure involves the extraction of the analytes with acidified acetonitrile and simultaneous liquid-liquid partitioning achieved by an addition of anhydrous magnesium sulfate and sodium acetate without any further clean-up steps. The limits of quantification (LOQs) for α-chaconine and α-solanine were 31 μg kg^?1 and 16 μg kg^?1 of fresh mass, respectively, at the signal-to-noise ratio (S/Ns) of 10. The method was applied in a survey of the content of α-chaconine and α-solanine in twenty commercial potato crisps from different brands. The results showed that all the products contained α-chaconine and α-solanine in widely varying concentrations. The amount of α-chaconine was higher than that of α-solanine in all samples.     

Screening and structural characterization of α-glucosidase inhibitors from hawthorn leaf flavonoids extract by ultrafiltration LC-DAD-MS n and SORI-CID FTICR MS

In vitro α-glucosidase inhibition assays and ultrafiltration liquid chromatography with photodiode array detection coupled to electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (ultrafiltration LC-DAD-ESI-MS ⁿ ) were combined to screen α-glucosidase inhibitors from hawthorn leaf flavonoids extract (HLFE). As a result, four compounds were identified as α-glucosidase inhibitors in the HLFE, and their structures were confirmed to be quercetin-3-O-rha- (1-4)-glc-rha and C-glycosylflavones (vitexin-2″-O-glucoside, vitexin-2″-O-rhamnoside and vitexin) by high-resolution sustained off resonance irradiation collision-induced dissociation (SORI-CID) data obtained by Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FTICR MS). Several other C-glycosylflavones (vitexin, isovitexin, orientin, isooriention) and their aglycones apigenin and luteolin were evaluated by in vitro assays, and were found to possess strong α-glucosidase inhibitory activities as well. Moreover, the substituent groups on the flavones had a great impact on the enzyme inhibition activity. C-3′-OH of the B-ring of flavones in particular increased the α-glucosidase inhibition activity, whereas C-glycosylations at C-6 or C-8 of the A ring weakened the inhibition activity.     

Rapid screening and identification of α-glucosidase inhibitors from mulberry leaves using enzyme-immobilized magnetic beads coupled with HPLC/MS and NMR

α-Glucosidase plays important roles in the digestion and absorption of carbohydrates in the small intestine. The inhibition of α-glucosidase is regarded as a potential way to treat diabetes. We established an approach to screening α-glucosidase inhibitors from medicinal plants using enzyme-coated magnetic bead. Using 1-(3-dimethyl-aminopropyl)-3-ethylcarbodiimide and N-hydroxysuccinimide as reaction reagents, α-glucosidase was immobilized on the magnetic beads by covalent linkage. The conjugation of α-glucosidase to the magnetic beads was characterized using scanning electron microscope and X-ray diffractometer. The proposed approach was applied in fishing potential α-glucosidase inhibitors from extract of Morus alba, a Chinese medicinal plant. The structures of potential active compounds were identified via liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance. The results demonstrated that two flavonoids (isoquercitrin and astragalin) could bind to α-glucosidase, which was confirmed via conventional α-glucosidase inhibitory assay. Our findings suggested that enzyme-coated magnetic beads may be suitable for discovering active compounds from medicinal plants.     

Determination of234U/238U and235U/238U ratios from commercially available uranium compounds by α-spectrometry

The²³⁴U/²³⁸U and²³⁵U/²³⁸U ratios from uranium compounds by -spectrometry technique have been obtained. Ten commercially available uranium reagents were analyzed. The well-separated peaks corresponding to uranium isotopes are evident, providing an energy spectrum of the -particles of uranium isotopes. It was found that some commerical uranium salts were depleted in²³⁴U and²³⁵U.     

Simultaneous Determination of α- and γ-Mangostins in Mouse Plasma by HPLC–MS/MS Method: Application to a Pharmacokinetic Study of Mangosteen Extract in Mouse

Recently, extracts from the pericarp of mangosteen, Garcinia mangostana L., exhibited various pharmacological properties such as anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial and chemopreventive activities. Albeit it has diverse application, there is little information about its pharmacokinetic aspects. Thus, the present study was undertaken to develop the simultaneous determination of α- and γ-mangostins (α- and γ-MG), major and active compounds, from extracts for the application of pharmacokinetic studies in mice using combined liquid chromatography–tandem mass-spectrometry and microsampling systems. The intra- and inter-validation, precision, accuracy, stability, recovery and matrix effects of α- and γ-MG were conducted in mouse plasma. Based on the developed analytical methods, pharmacokinetic parameters of α- and γ-MG after intravenous and oral administration of mangosteen extract were calculated. In sample preparation steps, the biological samples were deproteinized by acetonitrile and chromatographic separation was accomplished on a C₁₈ column. The detection was accomplished by multiple-reaction monitoring scanning after electrospray ionization source in the positive ionization mode. The optimized mass transition ion pairs (m/z) for quantitation were 411.062 → 354.900, 397.384 → 340.900, and 808.379 → 527.200 for α- and γ-MG and docetaxel (internal standard), respectively. The total run time was 5 min. The results provided a meaningful basis for the preclinical and clinical application of mangosteen extract.

     

Characterisation of betalain patterns of differently coloured inflorescences from Gomphrena globosa L. and Bougainvillea sp. by HPLC–DAD–ESI–MS n

In the present study, the betaxanthin (bx) and betacyanin patterns of differently coloured inflorescences from Gomphrena globosa L. and Bougainvillea sp. have been investigated in detail by applying reversed phase high-performance liquid chromatography–diode array detection (HPLC–DAD) coupled with positive ion electrospray mass spectrometry. Histidine-bx was found to be the predominant betaxanthin of Gomphrena globosa inflorescences. Furthermore, arginine-bx was detected as a novel betaxanthin, which to the best of our knowledge has not been reported as a pigment that occurs naturally so far. Dopa-bx was the major betaxanthin of Bougainvillea sp., although several minor betaxanthins were also present, including lysine-bx and putrescine-bx, novel betaxanthins hitherto not observed naturally. Remarkable differences in the betacyanin patterns between the purple, red and orange varieties were observed for both Gomphrena and Bougainvillea inflorescences. Hence, both the betacyanin profiles and the relative betaxanthin:betacyanin ratios determine the broad colour palette of Gomphrena petals and Bougainvillea bracts.     

Enrichment of flavonoid-rich extract from Bidens bipinnata L. by macroporous resin using response surface methodology,UHPLC–Q-TOF MS/MS-assisted characterization and comprehensive evaluation of its bioactivities by analytical hierarchy process

The extract of Bidens bipinnata L. exhibited wide spectrum of bioactivities owing to the presence of flavonoids. In this study, a purification process was developed to enrich the flavonoid-rich extract from B. bipinnata L. (BBTF). AB-8 resin was selected for the purification of total flavonoids. Response surface methodology coupled with Box–Behnken design was employed to optimize the purification condition; it was optimized as pH 5.1, volume of ethanol 80 ml, flow rate of ethanol 1.8 bed volume per hour (BV/h) and concentration of ethanol 76.0%. The total flavonoid content of BBTF was 56.48% under the optimal conditions. The identification of flavonoids in BBTF was conducted using UHPLC–ESI-Q-TOF MS. A total of 14 compounds, including 12 flavonoids, were identified in BBTF. Finally, the in vitro antioxidant activities, α-glucosidase and α-amylase inhibitory activities of BBTF were comprehensively analyzed by an analytical hierarchy process. The results indicated that it exhibited higher bioactivities than the crude extract. These findings suggested that the optimized process could significantly enhance the purity of flavonoids and their bioactivities. This study showed a comprehensive analysis of a total flavonoid extract of B. bipinnata L. for the first time, which could provide a useful approach for its purification process and quality control as well as bioactivities.     

Asymmetric epoxidation of styrene derivatives by styrene monooxygenase from Pseudomonas sp. LQ26: effects of α- and β-substituents

Recombinant Escherichia coli expressing a styrene monooxygenase, StyAB2, from Pseudomonas sp. LQ26 was applied to synthesize a range of chiral epoxides from conjugated styrene derivatives with excellent (>99%) enantioselectivity in most cases. The substrate preference was studied with a special focus on the steric effect of α- and β-substituents.     

Polyphenolic profile by FIA/ESI/IT/MSn and antioxidant capacity of the ethanolic extract from the barks of Maytenus cajalbanica (Borhidi & O. Muñiz) Borhidi & O. Muñiz

Abstract

Medium and high polarity extracts from Maytenus species are known to contain polyphenolic compounds such as proanthocyanidins. The high polarity and structural complexity of these compounds make very difficult their isolation even by modern chromatographic techniques. Maytenus cajalbanica (Borhidi & O. Muñiz) Borhidi & O. Muñiz is endemic from Cuba. So far, there are reports neither of phytochemical work nor of biological evaluation of extracts from this subspecies. The goal of this work is to determine the polyphenolic profile and the antioxidant capacity of the ethanolic extract from the barks of Maytenus cajalbanica. FIA/ESI/IT/MSⁿ analysis allowed the identification of 5 flavan-3-ol monomers, 33 proanthocyanidins, 2 free flavonoids and their respective glycosides as major compounds of the ethanolic extract, which showed a strong radical scavenging capacity and a significant ferric reduction power. FIA/ESI/IT/MSⁿ technique led the rapid, effective and sensitive determination of the polyphenolic profile of Maytenus cajalbanica without previous separation.     

Folate content in sea buckthorn berries and related products (Hippophaë rhamnoides L. ssp. rhamnoides): LC-MS/MS determination of folate vitamer stability influenced by processing and storage assessed by stable isotope dilution assay

A stable isotope dilution assay was adopted for quantitation of folate vitamers in sea buckthorn berries, juice, and concentrate using fourfold labeled folate isotopologues of the folate derivatives as the internal standards and reversed-phase liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry with electrospray ionization (LC-ESI-MS/MS). Processing effects and storage stability were investigated during juice and concentrate production from sea buckthorn berries (Hippopha? rhamnoides). The technological processing of the berries caused a total degradation of tetrahydrofolate and 5-formyltetrahydrofolate in the generated juice. The content of the main folate vitamer 5-methyltetrahydrofolate remained approximately unchanged during the whole processing from the berries to the concentrate. Sea buckthorn juice was stored under two household storage conditions (6 degrees C, 25 degrees C), and also under accelerated aging conditions (40 degrees C) for up to 7 days to determine the effects of storage temperature on the stability of 5-methyltetrahydrofolate. The content of 5-methyltetrahydrofolate was nearly unchanged during the storage at 6 degrees C after 7 days. The juice showed almost identical degradation of 5-methyltetrahydrofolate of about 17-20% at 25 degrees C and 40 degrees C after 7 days of storage. [figure: see text]