Supercritical fluid extraction of oxindole alkaloids from Uncaria tormentosa

Supercritical fluid extraction of oxindole alkaloids from Uncaria Tormentosa is described. The extraction was performed with supercritical carbon dioxide alone and with supercritical carbon dioxide modified with 10% metanol, and the extracts were analyzed by GC/MS and HPLC/MS.     

Comparative study of fourteen alkaloids from Uncaria rhynchophylla hooks and leaves using HPLC-diode array detection-atmospheric pressure chemical ionization/MS method

The purpose of the study is to compare alkaloid profile of Uncaria rhynchophylla hooks and leaves. Ten oxindole alkaloids and four glycosidic indole alkaloids were identified using HPLC-diode array detection (DAD) or LC-atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI)-MS method, and a HPLC-UV method for simultaneous quantification of major alkaloids was validated. The hooks are characterized by high levels of four oxindole alkaloids rhynchophylline (R), isorhynchophylline (IR), corynoxeine (C) and isocorynoxeine (IC), while the leaves contained high level of two glycosidic indole alkaloids vincoside lactam (VL) and strictosidine (S). The presented methods have proven its usefulness in chemical characterization of U. rhynchophylla hooks and leaves.     

Analysis of the traditional medicine YiGan San by the fragmentation patterns of cadambine indole alkaloids using HPLC coupled with high‐resolution MS

YiGan San (YGS) has long been used in traditional Japanese and Chinese folk medicine and serves as a potent and novel therapeutic agent to treat Alzheimer's disease. In the present study, a rapid and sensitive method based on HPLC coupled with diode‐array detection and quadrupole TOF MS (Q‐TOF‐MS) was designed to reveal the chemical constituents of YGS. Thirty‐six compounds were identified and assigned in YGS, including 14 alkaloids, nine γ‐lactones, six flavonoids, three triterpenoid saponinares, two small molecular organic acids, and two other types of compounds. In addition, the accurate fragment weight and MS/MS fragmentation reactions of a subtype indole alkaloid in Uncariae ramulus cum uncis were summarized for the first time to realize rapid identification without reference substances. For the first time, 11 major constituents were comprehensively quantified with a HPLC coupled with triple‐quadrupole MS method. A three‐section switch was used to realize such multicomponent identification. The contents of saikosaponin B₂ and isoliquiritin, which produce anti‐inflammatory and antidepressant‐like effects, were extremely different, up to 700 times, in two sources of YGS. The developed qualitative and quantitative method was proved to be precise, accurate, and reproducible.     

Some new mitragyna-type indoles and oxindoles; The influence of stereochemistry on mass spectra

The indole alkaloids corynantheidine and paynantheine have been epimerized to two new compounds and corynantheidine and mitragynine have been transformed to the corresponding oxindoles. The stereochemistry of the new compounds is deduced from physical data. Mass spectral fragmentation of the mitragyna indole and oxindole alkaloids is discussed with reference to their stereochemistry.     

Rapid determination of oxindole alkaloids in cat's claw by HPLC using ionic liquid‐based microwave‐assisted extraction and silica monolithic column

Cat's claw is a large woody vine with hook‐like thorns, and has been traditionally used to treat inflammatory disorders in South and Central America. In this study, a rapid, validated high‐performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method using a silica monolithic column was developed for the simultaneous determination of oxindole alkaloids, namely rhynchophylline, pteropodine, isomitraphylline and isopteropodine, in cat's claw. The ionic liquid‐based microwave‐assisted extraction (ILMAE), considered as an environmentally friendly and powerful tool, was first applied in the extraction of oxindole alkaloids. To optimize the HPLC method, the stationary phases, pH values of mobile phase and flow rates were investigated. The validated HPLC method using a Monolithic RP_18e column (100 × 4.6 mm) enables these analytes to be separated almost twice as fast as with a conventional particulate column (~16 vs ~30 min) with limits of quantification and detection of 0.5 and 0.15 μg/mL, respectively. The ILMAE conditions were optimized by the Taguchi orthogonal array design. In comparison with conventional water boiling extraction, ILMAE offers almost four times higher yields within an extremely short extraction time. The developed HPLC coupled with ILMAE method could be efficient and practical for rapid determination of oxindole alkaloids in cat's claw.     

Two novel indole alkaloids, Kopsiyunnanines A and B, from a Yunnan Kopsia

Two novel indole alkaloids having unusual skeletons were isolated from the aerial part of Yunnan Kopsia arborea. Kopsiyunnanine A (1) is a new class of bisindole alkaloid composed of vallesiachotamine (modified Corynanthe-type) and Aspidospermatan-type alkaloids. Kopsiyunnanine B (2) is a new Corynanthe-type oxindole alkaloid rearranged by D ring rotation.     

On-line identification of tropane alkaloids from Erythroxylum vacciniifolium by liquid chromatography-UV detection-multiple mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography-nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometry

The bark of catuaba (Erythroxylum vacciniifolium Martius, Erythroxylaceae), a tree native to the northern part of Brazil, was investigated for its alkaloid content. With the aim of obtaining preliminary structure information on-line, the alkaloid extract was analysed by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to diode array UV detection, to mass spectrometry and to nuclear magnetic resonance. Interpretation of on-line spectroscopic data obtained from this extract led to structural elucidation of six new alkaloids and partial identification of 18 potentially original alkaloids bearing the same tropane skeleton esterified in positions 3 and 6 by 1-methyl-1H-pyrrol-2-carboxylic acid and/or 4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxybenzoic acid.     

Quality assessment of Cortex Phellodendri by high‐performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

A simple method based on liquid chromatography coupled with diode array detection and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (LC‐DAD‐ESI‐MS) was developed for the quality assessment of Cortex Phellodendri (CP), which was mainly derived from two species of Phellodendron chinense Schneid and Phellodendron amurense Rupr. Total 41 compounds, including 14 phenols, 24 alkaloids and three liminoidal triterpenes were identified or tentatively characterized from the 75% methanol extract of CP samples by online ESI‐MSⁿ fragmentation and UV spectra analysis. Among them, two phenols and six alkaloids were simultaneously quantified using HPLC‐DAD method. The validated HPLC‐DAD method showed a good linearity, precision, repeatability and accuracy for the quantification of eight marker compounds. Furthermore, the plausible fragmentation pathway of the representative compounds were proposed in the present study. The differences of the chemical constituents content and the comprehensive HPLC profiles between the two CP species using LC‐DAD‐ESI‐MS method are reported for the first time, indicating that the CP drugs from different resources should be used separately in the clinic. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Quantitative analysis of Cistanches Herba using high‐performance liquid chromatography coupled with diode array detection and high‐resolution mass spectrometry combined with chemometric methods

We aim to determine the chemical constituents of three species of Cistanches Herba using HPLC coupled with diode array detection and high‐resolution MS. Ten phenylethanoid glycosides were identified and further quantified as marker substances by HPLC coupled with diode array detection method. The separation was conducted using an Agilent TC‐C18 column with 0.1% formic acid and methanol as the mobile phases under gradient elution. The analytical method was fully validated in terms of linearity, sensitivity, precision, repeatability as well as recovery, and subsequently applied to evaluate the quality of 36 batches of Cistanche plants. The chemometric procedures (i.e., hierarchical clustering analysis and principal component analysis) were used to compare different species of Cistanches Herba, leading to successful classification of the Cistanche samples in accordance with their origins. In conclusion, this study provides a chemical basis for quality control of Cistanches Herba.     

Identification of Sinomenine from Sinomenium actum and Its Simultaneous Quantitation by GC–MS and Non-Aqueous CE

In the present study, the qualitative and quantitative analysis of alkaloids in the stem and root of Sinomenium acutum (S. acutum) is presented by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC–MS) and non-aqueous capillary electrophoresis (NACE). The extract of alkaloids in S. acutum was examined by GC–MS and the major alkaloids were identified. Sinomenine (SIN) was found as the principal alkaloid in the extracts (about 84.38%). The quantitation of SIN was then accomplished by GC–MS and NACE with diode array detection. NACE was selected in order to use a running buffer fully compatible with samples in organic solvent. Optimum separation was achieved with a fused-silica capillary column and a running buffer containing 80 mM ammonium acetate, 2.0% acetic acid and 20% (v/v) acetonitrile in methanol medium. The applied voltage was 22 kV. The different selectivity displayed by these techniques allowed different separation profiles that could be useful in phytochemical characterization of the sample. The GC–MS and NACE methods were successfully validated and applied for the quantitation of SIN in S. acutum.     

Fluevirines E and F,two new alkaloids from Flueggea virosa

Abstract

Two new alkaloids, fluevirines E (1) and F (2), along with six known Securinega alkaloids, were isolated from the methanol extract of the twigs and leaves of Flueggea virosa. The structures and absolute configurations of the new compounds were elucidated by means of MS, NMR, and ECD analyses. Compound 1 is a new dimeric indole alkaloid while 2 is a new securinega-type alkaloid. The in vitro cytotoxic activities of the isolated alkaloids against several human cancer cell lines and their acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity were also evaluated.     

Simultaneous determination of the content of isoquinoline alkaloids in Dicranostigma leptopodum (Maxim) Fedde and the effective fractionation of the alkaloids by high‐performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection

A simple and efficient method was developed for the simultaneous determination of eight isoquinoline alkaloids in methanol extracts of Dicranostigma leptopodum (Maxim) Fedde and the effective fractionation of the alkaloids of D. leptopodum by high‐performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection. The chromatographic conditions were optimized on a SinoChrom ODS‐BP column to obtain a good separation of the four types of alkaloid analytes, including two aporphines (isocorydine, corydine), two protopines (protopine and allocryptopine), a morphine (sinoacutine), and three quaternary protoberberine alkaloids (berberrubine, 5‐hydroxycoptisine, and berberine). The separation of these alkaloids was significantly affected by the composition of the mobile phase, and particularly by its pH value. Acetonitrile (A) and 0.2% phosphoric acid solution adjusted to pH 6.32 with triethylamine (B) were selected as the mobile phase with a gradient elution. With this method, a new quaternary protoberberine alkaloid was isolated and the two structural isomers (isocorydine and corydine) were baseline separated. The appropriate harvest period for D. leptopodum was also recommended based on our analysis. The method for the effective fraction of the alkaloids of D. leptopodum was optimized under this method with regard to the varying significant pharmacological activities of the alkaloids.     

Mass spectrometry detection of minor new meridianins from the antarctic colonial ascidians Aplidium falklandicum and Aplidium meridianum

Taking into account the broad biological activities found in the meridianin indole alkaloids isolated to date, we have re‐examined the organic extracts of an Antarctic collection of the tunicates Aplidium meridianum and A. falklandicum (Chordata: Ascidiacea) by HPLC in conjunction with a high‐resolution mass spectrometer (HPLC‐MS). A new set of analogs of meridianins A–G has been detected, and their structures are proposed on the basis of the molecular formulae identified by LC‐HRMS analysis using a C18 column with a gradient of water/acetonitrile and an LTQ‐FT‐MS Orbitrap detector. Remarkably, dimers derived from meridianin A and from meridianin B or E were also detected. Our findings provide further evidence of the broad variability within the meridianin‐like derivatives of this highly bioactive alkaloid family. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

New alkaloids from the leaves of Evodia rutaecarpa

One new indole alkaloid (1) and one new indole alkaloidal glycoside (2), together with nine known alkaloids (3–11), were isolated from the leaves of Evodia rutaecarpa. Their structures were determined on the basis of spectroscopic and chemical methods. Compound 4 exhibited potent activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa with an MIC value of 7.13 μg/ml.     

Geissoschizine methyl ether N-oxide,a new alkaloid with antiacetylcholinesterase activity from Uncaria rhynchophylla

Geissoschizine methyl ether N-oxide, a new oxindole alkaloid, along with 14 known alkaloids, was isolated from the aerial part of Uncaria rhynchophylla. Their structures were identified by comprehensive spectral methods, including 2D NMR experiments, and confirmed by comparing with the literature data. In vitro acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory activity assay showed that the new compound exhibited anti-AChE activity with IC₅₀ value of 23.4 μM.     

High-performance liquid chromatographic,capillary electrophoretic and capillary electrophoretic-electrospray ionisation mass spectrometric analysis of selected alkaloid groups

Systems for efficient separation of selected alkaloid groups by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), capillary electrophoresis (CE) and capillary electrophoresis coupled with electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry (CE-ESI-MS) are described. The optimized HPLC system was applied for the separation of 23 standard indole alkaloids as well as for qualitative and quantitative analyses of crude alkaloid extracts of Rauvolfia serpentina X Rhazya stricta hybrid cell cultures. The developed conditions for CE analysis proved to be efficient for separation of mixtures of standard indole and beta-carboline alkaloids. The described buffer system is also applicable in the combination of CE with electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry. This analytical technique allowed the separation and identification of components of standard indole alkaloid mixture as well as crude extracts of R. serpentina roots, R. serpentina cell suspension cultures and cortex of Aspidosperma quebracho-blanco. The influence of buffer composition and analyte structures on separation is discussed.     

Direct characterization of aqueous extract of Hibiscus sabdariffa using HPLC with diode array detection coupled to ESI and ion trap MS

The phenolic fraction and other polar compounds of the Hibiscus sabdariffa were separated and identified by HPLC with diode array detection coupled to electrospray TOF and IT tandem MS (DAD‐HPLC‐ESI‐TOF‐MS and IT‐MS). The H. sabdariffa aqueous extract was filtered and directly injected into the LC system. The analysis of the compounds was carried out by RP HPLC coupled to DAD and TOF‐MS in order to obtain molecular formula and exact mass. Posterior analyses with IT‐MS were performed and the fragmentation pattern and confirmation of the structures were achieved. The H. sabdariffa samples were successfully analyzed in positive and negative ionization modes with two optimized linear gradients. In positive mode, the two most representative anthocyanins and other compounds were identified whereas the phenolic fraction, hydroxycitric acid and its lactone were identified using the negative ionization mode.     

Establishment of a search library about benzylisoquinoline alkaloids based on selective separation on the binaphthyl column and standard analysis on C18 column

A search library about benzylisoquinoline alkaloids was established based on preparation of alkaloid fractions from Rhizoma coptidis, Cortex phellodendri, and Rhizoma corydalis. In this work, two alkaloid fractions from each herbal medicine were first prepared based on selective separation on the “click” binaphthyl column. And then these alkaloid fractions were analyzed on C18 column by liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry. Many structure‐related compounds were included in these alkaloids fractions, which led to easy separation and good MS response in further work. Therefore, a search library of 52 benzylisoquinoline alkaloids was established, which included eight aporphine, 19 tetrahydroprotoberberine, two protopine, two benzyltetrahydroisoquinoline, and 21 protoberberine alkaloids. The information of the search library contained compound names, structures, retention times, accurate masses, fragmentation pathways of benzylisoquionline alkaloids, and their sources from three herbal medicines. Using such a library, the alkaloids, especially those trace and unknown components in some herbal medicine could be accurately and quickly identified. In addition, the distribution of benzylisoquinoline alkaloids in the herbal medicines could be also summarized by searching the source samples in the library.     

Four novel gelsenicine-related oxindole alkaloids from the leaves of Gelsemium elegans benth

[reaction: see text] New types of four gelsenicine-related oxindole alkaloids were isolated from the leaves of Gelsemium elegans Benth. Gelsedilam (1) and 14-acetoxygelsedilam (2) are the first examples of 18,19-nor-type monoterpenoid indole alkaloids. Gelsefuranidine (3) and gelseiridone (4) have, respectively, an additional furan residue or an iridoid unit on the gelsenicine-related monoterpenoid indole alkaloid.