Determination and comparison of agarwood from different origins by comprehensive two‐dimensional gas chromatography–quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry

Agarwood, a species of resinous heartwood, is a precious medicinal plant and a type of rare natural spice, which is widely used in medicine, cosmetics, religious activities, and other fields. In this study, agarwood samples from eight different regions across four countries were analyzed by comprehensive two‐dimensional gas chromatography?quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry. A total of 232 species were identified (the match factors of these compounds were above 750). The main compounds of agarwood are oxygenated sesquiterpenes and chromones. The compositions of India1 and Malaysia2 were significantly different from those of other samples, which might be attributed to the different production processes of agarwood. For further investigation, factor analysis was conducted for six agarwood samples. The results showed that the data classification possessed a regional characteristic; according to the retention time and relative content, characteristic compositions were determined by factor scores. Finally, the differences of characteristic compositions were simply analyzed, and the reasons were speculated.     

New 2-(2-phenylethyl)chromone derivatives from agarwood and their inhibitory effects on tumor cells

Abstract

Two new chromone derivatives, 7-hydroxy-2-[2-(3'-methoxy-4'-hydroxyphenyl)-ethyl]chromone (1), and 6,7-dimethoxy-2-[2-(3'-hydroxyphenyl)-ethyl]chromone (2) were isolated from the EtOH extract of agarwood of Aquilaria sinensis, together with eleven known analogues. Their structures were established by detailed HR-ESIMS, 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic analysis, as well as comparison with the literature data. Selected the isolates (1, 2, 4–8, 10, 11) were tested for their antitumor activities against SMMC-7721, MGC-803 and OV-90 cell lines using the MTT method with cisplatin and paclitaxel as the positive control. All the tested compounds showed weak cytotoxic activities with IC₅₀ values ranged from 18.82 to 37.95 µg/ml.     

固相微萃取/气相色谱-质谱研究沉香的特征成分

采用固相微萃取(SPME)富集不同产地天然沉香中的挥发性成分,气相色谱-质谱联用技术(GCMS)分离鉴别其挥发性成分,并根据分析结果对沉香品质进行判断。研究发现不同产地的天然沉香主要由倍半萜、芳香族等化合物组成,但由于产地不同,其化学成分及含量均有很大差别。以沉香的6种特征性有效成分苄基丙酮、对甲氧基苄基丙酮、沉香螺旋醇、沉香呋喃、苍术醇、白木香醛及其含量作为评价沉香品质的主要指标。研究结果显示,老挝沉香的特征成分总含量最高,约为20%;柬埔寨沉香其次,约为17%,而国产沉香(海南、广东东莞)的特征成分含量相对较低。表明老挝沉香的品质最好,柬埔寨沉香次之,但均优于国产沉香。该方法具有样品用量少、特征性强的优点。     

SPME/GC-MS鉴别沉香真伪方法研究

采用固相微萃取/气相色谱-质谱联用(SPME/GC-MS)对沉香的成分进行研究,建立以特征成分鉴别沉香真伪的方法。通过SPME富集沉香的气味成分,GC-MS测定其化学组成,确定天然沉香的6种特征成分,并通过面积归一化确定特征成分在气味成分中的相对含量;通过沉香样品中气味成分的种类及其相对含量与天然沉香特征成分对比,判断沉香的真伪。SPME/GC-MS法具有样品用量小、操作简便快速、检测灵敏度高、特征性强、结果准确可靠的特点,适用于沉香气味成分的分析及真伪鉴别,且不破坏沉香收藏品的整体结构,已成功用于沉香药材及其工艺品等的真伪鉴别。     

Husk of Agarwood Fruit-Based Hydrogel Beads for Adsorption of Cationic and Anionic Dyes in Aqueous Solutions

Hydrogel beads based on the husk of agarwood fruit (HAF)/sodium alginate (SA), and based on the HAF/chitosan (CS) were developed for the removal of the dyes, crystal violet (CV) and reactive blue 4 (RB4), in aqueous solutions, respectively. The effects of the initial pH (2–10) of the dye solution, the adsorbent dosage (0.5–3.5 g/L), and contact time (0–540 min) were investigated in a batch system. The dynamic adsorption behavior of CV and RB4 can be represented well by the pseudo-second-order model and pseudo-first-order model, respectively. In addition, the adsorption isotherm data can be explained by the Langmuir isotherm model. Both hydrogel beads have acceptable adsorption selectivity and reusability for the study of selective adsorption and regeneration. Based on the effectiveness, selectivity, and reusability of these hydrogel beads, they can be treated as potential adsorbents for the removal of dyes in aqueous solutions.     

Individual and Combined Inhalational Sedative Effects in Mice of Low Molecular Weight Aromatic Compounds Found in Agarwood Aroma

Agarwood is known to have a sedative effect and the less studied volatile aromatic constituents it contains may have contribution to the activity. In this study, two Kyara grade (highest-grade agarwood in Japan) samples were extracted using headspace-solid phase microextraction (HS-SPME) and analyzed through gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Six low molecular weight aromatic compounds (LACs) and one structurally simple compound (diethylene glycol monoethyl ether) present in the aromas were individually evaluated for inhalational sedative activity in mice through open field test. Doses of 0.0001 g/L to 1 g/L were prepared for each compound and administered to mice (n = 6/dose/compound). Results revealed all compounds decreased spontaneous motor activity at almost all doses. Strongest sedative activity of each compound reduced total spontaneous motor activity by more than half against control, demonstrating their contribution to agarwood aroma and potential as independent sedating agents. Mixtures of compounds using their most effective dose were made and evaluated again for inhalational sedative effect. Interestingly, the combination of all compounds showed no significant effect and even caused stimulation in mice movements. This result suggests antagonistic-like interaction between the compounds, which is probably due to structural similarities. Consequently, it implies the other constituents present in agarwood, along with LACs, are also important to the overall sedative activity.     

沉香的高效液相色谱-四极杆-飞行时间质谱数字化指纹图谱研究

采用高效液相色谱-四极杆-飞行时间质谱联用(HPLC-Q-TOF-MS)技术,研究构建了一种沉香数字化色谱-质谱指纹图谱的新方法。沉香药材经乙醇提取后,采用HPLC-Q-TOF-MS测定,并同时采集HPLC-Q-TOF-MS及液相色谱-紫外数据,得到液相色谱-紫外检测(HPLC-UV)色谱图和高分辨飞行时间质谱(TOF-MS)总离子流色谱图。对色谱图中的各个色谱峰进行精确质量数识别,建立数字化指纹图谱,以精确质量数结合保留时间表征沉香中的化学成分,即为每个色谱峰给出具有唯一性的数字信息,以数字化的形式反映其化学成分,并根据精确质量及同位素推算出分子式,结合二级质谱及文献资料共鉴定出30个化学成分。该方法对沉香的每种化学成分给出了类似于身份认定的数字化信息,具有唯一性,能全面反映沉香的物质成分,可为沉香的药理、药效及质量标准研究提供科学的数据。