Structural analysis of pentacyclic triterpenes from the gum resin of Boswellia serrata by NMR spectroscopy

3α‐Acetyl‐β‐boswellic acid ( 1 ), 3α‐acetyl‐α‐boswellic acid ( 2 ), 3α‐acetyl‐9,11‐dehydro‐β‐boswellic acid ( 3 ), 3α‐acetyl‐9,11‐dehydro‐α‐boswellic acid ( 4 ) and 3α‐acetyl‐11‐keto‐β‐boswellic acid ( 5 ) were isolated from the gum resin of Boswellia serrata. 1D and 2D NMR (COSY45, HMQC, HMBC, ROESY) spectra at 500 MHz were used for shift assignments and structure verification. All boswellic acids investigated share the cis conformation at ring D/E and the 3α orientation of the acetyl ester group. Owing to high‐order spectra, NMR could not determine the exact conformation of H‐20/H‐30 of the β‐boswellic acids. 3α‐Acetyl‐β‐boswellic acid methyl ester ( 1 ^′) was synthesized for experiments with a shift reagent, Eu(fod)₃, that enhanced the resolution considerably. The oxygen atoms of the 3α‐acetyl group form the apparent complex binding site for the shift reagent. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Structural analysis of 3‐α‐acetyl‐20(29)‐lupene‐24‐oic acid,a novel pentacyclic triterpene isolated from the gum resin of Boswellia serrata,by NMR spectroscopy

3α‐Acetyl‐20(29)‐lupene‐24‐oic acid ( 1 ) was isolated from the gum resin of Boswellia serrata. Its presence evidently suggests, that the oxidosqualene triterpene pathway of Boswellia serrata closely resembles the biosynthetic route already found in other plants. Complete ¹H and ¹³C spectral assignments were derived from 1D and 2D NMR spectra. This is the first compound with the lupene backbone combining a 3α‐hydroxy or 3α‐acetyl group with the 24‐carboxyl group, a configuration which is typical of the classical boswellic acids. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Ultra‐high performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry method for the simultaneous quantitation of five phthalides in rat plasma: Application to a comparative pharmacokinetic study of Huo Luo Xiao Ling Dan and herb‐pair extract

A fast, sensitive, and reliable ultra‐high performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry method has been developed and validated for the simultaneous quantitation and pharmacokinetic study of five phthalides (senkyunolide A, ligustilide, butylidenephthalide, 3‐butylphthalide, and levistilide A) in rat plasma after oral administration of Huo Luo Xiao Ling Dan (HLXLD) or Angelica sinensis‐‐Ligusticum chuanxiong herb pair (DG‐CX) between normal and arthritis rats. After extraction from blood, the analytes and internal standard were subjected to ultra‐high performance liquid chromatography with a Shim‐pack XR‐ODS column (75 × 3.0 mm², 2.2 μm particles) and mobile phase was composed of methanol and water (containing 0.05% formic acid) under gradient elution conditions, with an electrospray ionization source in the positive ionization and multiple reaction monitoring mode. The lower limits of quantification were 0.192–0.800 ng/mL for all the analytes. Satisfactory linearity, precision, accuracy, mean extraction recovery, and acceptable matrix effect have been achieved. The validated method was successfully applied to a comparative pharmacokinetic study of five bioactive components in rat plasma after oral administration of HLXLD or DG‐CX alone, respectively, between normal and arthritic rats. The results showed that there were unlike characters of pharmacokinetics among different groups.     

Analysis of frankincense from various Boswellia species with inhibitory activity on human drug metabolising cytochrome P450 enzymes using liquid chromatography mass spectrometry after automated on-line extraction

In our search for herbal remedies with inhibitory activity on cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes, we identified extracts of the gum-resin of Boswellia carteri, Boswellia frereana, Boswellia sacra and Boswellia serrata as equally potent, non-selective inhibitors of the major drug metabolising CYP enzymes 1A2/2C8/2C9/2C19/2D6 and 3A4. LC/LC/ESI-MS fingerprint analyses of the boswellic acids 11-keto-beta-boswellic acid, alpha-boswellic acid, beta-boswellic acid and their 3-O-acylated derivatives were used for the authentication of the commercially obtained frankincense samples. Although the boswellic acids could be identified as moderate to potent inhibitors of the applied CYP enzymes, they are not the major CYP inhibitory principle of frankincense.     

Anti‐inflammatory bioactive equivalence of combinatorial components β‐carboline alkaloids identified in Arenaria kansuensis by two‐dimensional chromatography and solid‐phase extraction coupled with liquid–liquid extraction enrichment technology

Bioactive equivalent combinatorial components play a critical role in herbal medicines. However, how to discover and enrich them efficiently is a question for herbal pharmaceuticals researchers. In our work, a novel two‐dimensional reversed‐phase/hydrophilic interaction high‐performance liquid chromatography method was established to perform real‐time components trapping and combining for preparation and isolation of coeluting components. Arenaria kansuensis was taken as an example, and solid‐phase extraction coupled with liquid–liquid extraction as a simple and efficient method for enriching trace components, reversed phase column coupled with hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography XAmide column as two‐dimensional chromatography technology for isolation and preparation of coeluting constituents, enzyme‐linked immune‐sorbent assay as bio‐guided assay, and anti‐inflammatory bioactivity evaluation for bioactive constituents. A combination of 12 β‐carboline alkaloids was identified as anti‐inflammatory bioactive equivalent combinatorial components from A. kansuensis , which accounts for 1.9% w/w of original A. kansuensis . This work answers the key question of which are real anti‐inflammatory components from A. kansuensis and provides a fast and efficient approach for discovering and enriching trace β‐carboline alkaloids from herbal medicines for the first time. More importantly, the discovery of bioactive equivalent combinatorial components could improve the quality control of herbal products and inspire a herbal medicine based on combinatorial therapeutics.     

Bioactivity‐integrated ultra‐performance liquid chromatography/quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry for the identification of nuclear factor‐κB inhibitors and β2 adrenergic receptor agonists in Chinese medicinal preparation Chuanbeipipa dropping pills

A simple and dual‐target method based on ultra‐performance liquid chromatography/quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry combined with dual‐bioactive [nuclear factor‐κB (NF‐κB) and β₂‐adrenergic receptor] luciferase reporter assay systems was developed to rapidly characterize the chemical structure of various bioactive compounds of TCM preparations. Chuanbeipipa dropping pills, a traditional Chinese medicine preparation used for the clinical therapy of chronic obstructive lung disease and cough caused by bronchial catarrh, was analyzed with this method. Potential anti‐inflammatory and spasmolytic constituents were screened using NF‐κB and β₂‐adrenergic receptor activity luciferase reporter assay systems and simultaneously identified according to the time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry data. One β₂‐adrenergic receptor agonist (ephedrine) and two structural types of NF‐κB inhibitors (platycosides derivatives and ursolic acid derivatives) were characterized. Platycodin D3 and E were considered new NF‐κB inhibitors. Further cytokine and chemokine detection confirmed the anti‐inflammatory effects of the potential NF‐κB inhibitors. Compared with conventional fingerprints, activity‐integrated fingerprints that contain both chemical and bioactive details offer a more comprehensive understanding of the chemical makeup of plant materials. This strategy clearly demonstrated that multiple bioactivity‐integrated fingerprinting is a powerful tool for the improved screening and identification of potential multi‐target lead compounds in complex herbal medicines. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Pharmacokinetic comparison of five tanshinones in normal and arthritic rats after oral administration of Huo Luo Xiao Ling Dan or its single herb extract by UPLC‐MS/MS

A fast, sensitive and reliable ultra performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC‐MS/MS) method has been developed and validated for simultaneous quantitation and pharmacokinetic study of five tanshinones (tanshinone I, tanshinone IIA, tanshinone IIB, dihydrotanshinone I, cryptotanshinone), the bio‐active ingredients of Huo Luo Xiao Ling Dan (HLXLD) in rat plasma. After liquid–liquid extraction, chromatographic separation was accomplished on a Shim‐pack XR‐ODS column (75 × 3.0 mm, 2.2 µm particles) and eluted with a mobile phase consisting of acetonitrile–0.05% formic acid aqueous solution (80:20, v/v) at a flow rate of 0.4 mL/min, and the total run time was 7.0 min. The detection was performed on a triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry equipped with an electrospray ionization source in positive ionization and multiple reaction monitoring mode. The lower limits of quantification were 0.050–0.400 ng/mL for all the analytes. Linearity, precision and accuracy, the mean extraction recoveries and matrix effects all satisfied criteria for acceptance. This validated method was successfully applied to a comparative pharmacokinetic study of five bio‐active components in rat plasma after oral administration of HLXLD or Salvia miltiorrhiza extract in normal and arthritic rats. The results showed that there were different pharmacokinetic characteristics among different groups. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The pharmacokinetic study of sinomenine,paeoniflorin and paeonol in rats after oral administration of a herbal product Qingfu Guanjiesu capsule by HPLC

An accurate and reliable high‐performance liquid chromatography–diode array detector (HPLC‐DAD) method was developed and validated for determination of sinomenine (SI), paeoniflorin (PF) and paeonol (PA), which was further applied to assess the pharmacokinetics of SI, PF and PA in an anti‐arthritic herbal product, Qingfu Guanjieshu (QFGJS) capsule, in rats. Successful separation was achieved with a C₁₈ column and a mobile phase composed of acetonitrile and aqueous phase (containing 0.1% formic acid, adjusted with triethylamine to pH 3.5 ± 0.2). The method was validated with excellent precision, accuracy, recovery and stability in calibration ranges from 0.06 to 11.62 µg/mL for SI, from 0.09 to 35.70 µg/mL for PF, and from 0.15 to 4.53 µg/mL for PA (with r² > 0.999 for all three compounds). Our results showed that absorption of PF after administration of QFGJS was similar to that after oral administration of PF alone; the absorption of SI was decreased while the absorption of PA was increased after giving QFGJS orally compared with pure compounds. We may conclude that pharmacokinetic studies of complex herbal products are not only necessary but also feasible by using representative bioactive chemicals as indicators of establishing quality control standards and of determining pharmacokinetic behavior of herbal medicines. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Identification of anti‐inflammatory active ingredients from Tumuxiang by ultra‐performance liquid chromatography/quadrupole time‐of‐flight‐MSE

The dried roots of Inula helenium L. (IH) and Inula racemosa Hook f. (IR) are used commonly as folk medicine as ‘tumuxiang’ (TMX). The mixing and sharing of IH and IR in clinical use is a universal phenomenon. Modern pharmacological studies confirmed that IH and IR display anti‐inflammatory activities. However, the difference in anti‐inflammatory pharmacodynamic substances between these two herbs is still unknown. In the present study, the fingerprints of 18 IH and nine IR samples were established using UPLC/QTOF‐MS^E. A dimethylbenzene‐induced mouse ear vasodilation model was applied in evaluating the anti‐inflammatory properties of all 27 samples. Then, the spectrum–efficacy model between chemical characteristic peaks and anti‐inflammatory activities was investigated using principal component regression and partial least squares. Finally, the combination of UNIFI Scientific Information System with a library search of traditional Chinese medicines was employed to automatically characterize the peaks. UNIFI identified a total of 80 chemical components. Among the components, the 53 characteristic peaks showed correlation with anti‐inflammatory activities, pointing to phenolic and organic acids as primary anti‐inflammatory ingredients of TMX. This approach can efficiently and intelligently facilitate the identification of bioactive components from traditional Chinese medicine.     

A UPLC‐MS/MS method for simultaneous quantitation of three monoterpene glycosides and four alkaloids in rat plasma: application to a comparative pharmacokinetic study of Huo Luo Xiao Ling Dan and single herb extract

The objective of this study was to develop a sensitive and reliable ultra performance liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC‐MS/MS) method for simultaneous quantitation of three monoterpene glycosides (paeoniflorin, alibiflorin and oxypaeoniflorin) and four alkaloids (tetrahydropalmatine, corydaline, dehydrocorydaline and berberine), the main active ingredients of Radix Paeoniae Rubra extract (RPE) and Corydalis yanhusuo extract (CYE) in Huo Luo Xiao Ling Dan (HLXLD), and to compare the pharmacokinetics of these active ingredients in normal and arthritic rats orally administrated with HLXLD or RPE/CYE alone. The analytes and internal standard (IS) (geniposide) were separated on a XBridge C₁₈ column (150 × 4.6 mm, 3.5 µm) using gradient elution with the mobile phase consisting of methanol and 0.01% formic acid in water at a flow rate of 0.6 ml/min. The detection of the analytes was performed on Acquity UPLC‐MS/MS system with an electrospray ionization and multiple reaction monitoring mode via polarity switching between negative (for monoterpene glycosides) and positive (for alkaloids) ionization mode. The lower limits of quantification were 2.5, 1, 0.5, 0.2, 0.2, 0.02 and 0.01 ng/ml for paeoniflorin, alibiflorin, oxypaeoniflorin, tetrahydropalmatine, corydaline, dehydrocorydaline and berberine, respectively. Intra‐day and inter‐day precision and accuracy of analytes were well within acceptance criteria (15%). The mean extraction recoveries of analytes and IS from rat plasma were all more than 83.1%. The validated method has been successfully applied to determination of the analytes. Results showed that there were remarkable differences in pharmacokinetic properties of the analytes between herbal formula and single herb group, normal and arthritic group. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Strategy for rapid screening of antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory active ingredients in Gynura procumbens (Lour.) Merr. based on UHPLC–Q‐TOF–MS/MS and characteristic ion filtration

Gynura procumbens (Lour.) Merr. is traditionally used as a raw material for making dumplings or steamed stuffed buns, and its fresh leaves are boiled with water for tea. Herein, we established an ultra‐high–performance liquid chromatography–quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC–Q‐TOF–MS/MS) combined with characteristic ion filtration (CIF) strategy to rapidly screen active ingredients with antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory properties in G. procumbens. This strategy involved screening the active part of G. procumbens using antioxidation and anti‐inflammatory activity assays; discovering the active compounds by speculating on the active site's chemical composition by UHPLC–Q‐TOF–MS/MS plus CIF; and verifying the active compounds' activities. The ethyl acetate extract (EEAF) of G. procumbens was the major active site. Eighty‐one compounds were identified from the EEAF using UHPLC–Q‐TOF–MS/MS plus CIF. Furthermore, polyphenols such as cynarine, isochlorogenic acids A and isochlorogenic acids C have excellent antioxidizing and anti‐inflammatory activities. This study provides a practical strategy for rapid in vitro screening of the antioxidizing and anti‐inflammatory activities of traditional vegetables and herbs and identification of active ingredients.     

Boswellic Acids Show In Vitro Activity against Leishmania donovani

In continuation of our search for leads from medicinal plants against protozoal pathogens, we detected antileishmanial activity in polar fractions of a dichloromethane extract from Boswellia serrata resin. 11-keto-β-boswellic acid (KBA) could be isolated from these fractions and was tested in vitro against Leishmania donovani axenic amastigotes along with five further boswellic acid derivatives. 3-O-acetyl-11-keto-β-boswellic acid (AKBA) showed the strongest activity with an IC₅₀ value of 0.88 µM against axenic amastigotes but was inactive against intracellular amastigotes in murine macrophages     

New water soluble glycosides of 11-keto-β-boswellic acid: A paradigm

Though several glycosides of various triterpenes are known, but surprisingly no boswellic acid glycosides are reported so far. With a view to make water soluble boswellic acids, prepared glycosides of 11-keto boswellic acid for the first time. Naturally occurring boswellic acids which are anti-inflammatory agents are lipophylic in nature and thus, become a limiting factor in terms of their bioavailability. Among boswellic acids, 11-keto-β-boswellic acid is found to exhibit superior biological activity and hence successfully prepared its glucosyl and maltosyl derivatives viz., 11-keto-β-boswellic acid-24-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (9) and 11-keto-β-boswellic acid-24-O-α-D-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 4)-β-D-glucopyranoside (15) which are water soluble. Both these compounds are soluble in water to the extent of 10% (w/w) which is very significant.     

Screening of analgesic and anti‐inflammatory active component in Fructus Alpiniae zerumbet based on spectrum–effect relationship and GC–MS

Fructus Alpiniae zerumbet is widely used in Guizhou province as a miao folk herb with anti‐inflammatory, analgesic, protection against cardiovascular diseases, antihypertension and antioxidant activities. To further investigate the chemical material basis, the spectrum–effect relationship was established using gray relational analysis between the chromatographic fingerprint and its bioactivities. Herein, the fingerprints of essential oils from Fructus Alpiniae zerumbet (EOFAZ) from various sources were determined by gas chromatography mass spectrometry, and the analgesic and anti‐inflammatory bioactivities were investigated using the mouse model of acetic acid‐induced writhing test and dimethylbenzene‐induced mouse ear edema test. Finally, 17 common peaks were identified from nine batches of A. zerumbet, by comparison with the standard mass spectra in Nist2005, Wiley275 library. Meanwhile, the results showed significant analgesic and anti‐inflammatory effects in all of the different sources of EOFAZ. In particularly, peak 1 (α‐pipene), peak 3 (β‐pinene), peak 9 (camphor) and peak 16 (α‐cadinol) might be the main bioactive ingredients for analgesic and anti‐inflammatory activities. The model of the spectrum–effect relationships of EOFAZ was successfully discovered, which provided a novel platform for finding the bioactive components, a theoretical foundation for its further study and helping to establish quality control of Fructus A. zerumbet.     

Identification of interactions between multiple components in Socheongryong‐tang using a plant profiling approach

Traditional herbal medicine consists of multiple components. There are interactions among the components, which affect both potency and toxicity. The preparation of herbal medicines can be a cause of interactions between multicomponents in herbs. To demonstrate the differences in multiherb interactions based on the preparation methods, the changes in the active components in the different preparations of Socheongryong‐tang (SCRT) were evaluated using metabolomics profiling. We performed multicomponent profiling of the decoction of SCRT (SCRTD) and individual herb mixture (SCRTM) using ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (UPLC–QTOF–MS). Active compounds from SCRTD and SCRTM were identified using multivariate analysis, and the activities between the two groups were compared. We also evaluated the anti‐inflammatory effect of SCRT through investigating the protein expression of iNOS and COX‐2 in lipopolysaccharide‐induced macrophage RAW 264.7 cells in both groups. From the multivariate analysis, 53 active compounds that have different intensities between SCRTD and SCRTM were identified. The intensities of those components, such as ephedrines, glycyrrhizic acid, 6‐gingerol and (2E,4E,8Z,10E)‐N‐isobutyl‐2,4,8,10‐dodecatetraenamide, which is newly identified in Asiasarum heterotropoides, were mostly higher in SCRTD than in SCRTM, which was related to the anti‐inflammatory effect. From the iNOS inhibition test, it was found that SCRTD had a stronger anti‐inflammatory effect than SCRTM. It was demonstrated that multicomponent interactions can be changed by the preparation method, and finally the anti‐inflammatory effect in SCRT can be affected.     

Cell membrane chromatography coupled online with LC‐MS to screen anti‐anaphylactoid components from Magnolia biondii Pamp. targeting on Mas‐related G protein‐coupled receptor X2

Mas‐related G protein‐coupled receptor X2 was a mast cell–specific receptor mediating anaphylactoid reactions by activating mast cells degranulation, and it was also identified as a target for modulating mast cell–mediated anaphylactoid and inflammatory diseases. The anti‐anaphylactoid drugs used clinically disturb the partial effect of partial mediators released by mast cells. The small molecule of Mas‐related G protein‐coupled receptor X2 specific antagonists may provide therapeutic action for the anaphylactoid and inflammatory diseases in the early stage. In this study, the Mas‐related G protein‐coupled receptor X2 high expression cell membrane chromatography was coupled online with liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry and successfully used to screen anti‐anaphylactoid components from Magnolia biondii Pamp. Fargesin and pinoresinol dimethyl ether were identified as potential anti‐anaphylactoid components. Bioactivity of these two components were investigated by β hexosaminidase and histamine release assays on mast cells, and it was found that these two components could inhibit β hexosaminidase and histamine release in a concentration‐dependent manner. This Mas‐related G protein‐coupled receptor X2 high expression cell membrane chromatography coupled online with liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry system could be applied for screening potential anti‐anaphylactoid components from natural medicinal herbs. This study also provided a powerful system for drug discovery in natural medicinal herbs.     

Screening and identification of Caulis Sinomenii bioactive ingredients with dual‐target NF‐κB inhibition and β2‐AR agonizing activities

Caulis Sinomenii (CS) is a valuable traditional medicine in China. Its extract can act as an anti‐inflammatory agent and a vascular smooth muscle relaxant. However, the underlying mechanisms remain unknown. In this study, we developed a simple dual‐target method based on ultra‐performance liquid chromatography/quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry combined with a dual‐target bioactive screening assay for anti‐inflammatory and antispasmodic activities to characterize the chemical structure of various bioactive compounds of CS rapidly. Seven potential NF‐κB inhibitors were identified, including laudanosoline‐1‐O‐xylopyranose, 6‐O‐methyl‐laudanosoline‐1‐O‐glucopyranoside, menisperine, sinomenine, laurifoline, magnoflorine and norsinoacutin. Furthermore, IL‐6 and IL‐8 assays confirmed the anti‐inflammatory effects of these potential NF‐κB inhibitors, in which laudanosoline‐1‐O‐d ‐xylopyranose and menisperine were revealed as novel NF‐κB inhibitors. Among the seven identified alkaloids, three potential β₂‐adrenergic receptor agonists, including sinomenine, magnoflorine and laurifoline, were characterized using a luciferase reporter system to measure for the activity of β₂‐adrenergic receptor agonists. Finally, sinomenine, magnoflorine and laurifoline were identified not only as potential NF‐κB inhibitors but also as potential β₂‐adrenegic receptor agonists, which is the first time this has been reported. Molecular dynamic simulation and docking results suggest that the three dual‐bioactive constituents could not only inhibit Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAK strain‐induced inflammatory responses via a negative regulation of the Braf protein that participates in MAPK signaling pathway but also activate the β₂‐adrenegic receptor. These results suggest that CS extract has dual signaling activities with potential clinical application as a novel drug for asthma.     

Facile One‐Pot Multicomponent Synthesis of β‐Acetamido Ketones with Amberlyst‐15 as Heterogeneous Catalyst

The one‐pot multicomponent coupling of an aromatic aldehyde, an enolizable ketone or keto ester, acetonitrile, and acetyl chloride at room temperature in the presence of Amberlyst‐15 as catalyst affords β‐acetamido ketones in high yields. The inexpensive catalyst works under heterogeneous conditions and can be readily reused.     

Pharmacokinetics study of multiple components absorbed in rat plasma after oral administration of Stemonae radix using ultra‐performance liquid‐chromatography/mass spectrometry with automated MetaboLynx software analysis

Stemonae radix (Stemona tuberosa Lour, Bai Bu) is a traditional Chinese medicinal (TCM) plant known for its antitussive and anti‐ectoparasitic activity; however, the in vivo pharmacokinetic of its multiple bioactive components remains unknown. In this article, UPLC‐Q‐TOF‐high‐definition mass spectrometry (HDMS) coupled with automated data analysis MetaboLynx? software together were first developed to screen the potentially bioactive components in the rat plasma after oral administration of Stemonae radix. Time course of the absorbed components of Stemonae radix was built to evaluate pharmacokinetic behaviors. This rapid automated analysis method was successfully applied for identification, screening, and monitoring of the 28 constituents absorbed and metabolized studies of Stemonae radix after oral administration to rats. The results showed that the ongoing changes of 28 constituents including eight parent compounds and 20 metabolites in vivo were observed to find biomarkers. From the angle of behavior in vivo, it suggested that croomine and tuberostemonine would be potential efficacy markers. This work also demonstrated that the pharmacokinetics‐based UPLC‐Q‐TOF‐HDMS can provide a reliable means of identifying and screening potentially bioactive components contributing to pharmacological effects of medicinal herbs, and to better clarify its action mechanism, further prospecting natural products in the search for new leads in drug discovery.     

Separation and quantification of terpenoids of Boswellia serrata Roxb. extract by planar chromatography techniques (TLC and AMD)

An high-performance TLC (HPTLC) method for the separation of boswellic acids, the active constituents in Boswellia serrata extract, has been developed and TLC of these compounds on silica by automated multiple development (AMD) using solvent gradients was performed. Enhancement of the separation of boswellic acids on HPTLC plates was carried out by AMD chromatography. Densitometric analysis of the developed plate was carried out to quantify the four boswellic acids. 11-Keto-beta-boswellic acid (KBA) and acetyl-11-keto-beta-boswellic acid (AKBA) were quantified by densitometric scanning of the developed plate at 254 nm. beta-Boswellic acid (BA) and acetyl-beta-boswellic acid (ABA) were quantified after derivatization with anisaldehyde sulfuric acid reagent at 560 nm. The AMD system provided a clean separation according to polarity for each of the four groups studied and good results were obtained. The proposed HPTLC method for the simultaneous quantification of the major boswellic acids BA, ABA, KBA, and AKBA was found to be simple, precise, specific, sensitive, and accurate and can be used for routine quality control and for the quantification of these compounds in plant materials. The study of market products revealed significant variations in the content of these pharmacologically active compounds in commercial samples.