Analysis of Saffron (Crocus sativus L. Stigma) Components by LC–MS–MS

A liquid chromatographic tandem mass spectrometric validated method was developed for the detection of chemicals attributing color, flavor, taste and medicinal properties to saffron (Crocus sativus L. stigma). Ultrasonic extractions of saffron stigmas were followed by LC procedure with Pinnacle II Cyano (5 μm 150 × 2.1 mm) column and acetonitrile: water (70:30, v/v) as mobile phase. Deprotonated ions formed by a turbo ion spray in negative MS mode were used to detect the analytes. MS–MS detection was by monitoring precursors (m/z) fragmentations; of 149 → 113 (safranal), 327 → 283 (crocetin), 329 → 167 (picrocrocin), 355 → 327 (dimethyl crocetin), 489 → 327 (crocin E), 535 → 489 (carotenes), 651 → 327 (crocin C), 813 → 652 (crocin B), 975 → 651 (crocin A) and 1,137 → 813 (crocin F). The method was validated for linearity, precision, repeatability and specificity.     

Use of non-aqueous capillary electrophoresis for the quality control of commercial saffron samples

A non-aqueous capillary electrophoresis (NACE) method for quantifying the seven crocin metabolites that are the major biologically active ingredients of saffron was developed. Separation is done by using a fused silica capillary filled with a 12.5 mM H3BO3/37.5 mM sodium tetraborate methanolic solution as background electrolyte. The results obtained were compared with the total index "safranal value", widely used as a quality measure of saffron products. The comparison revealed that the proposed NACE method provides useful information not obtained in the safranal value. Infact, samples with a similar safranal value can contain crocin metabolites in different concentrations and relative proportions. This new method is very useful for quality control in commercial saffron samples.     

Simultaneous identification of natural dyes in the collection of drawings and maps from The Royal Chancellery Archives in Granada (Spain) by CE

A simple and rapid capillary electrophoretic method with UV detection (CE-UV) has been developed for the identification of five natural dyes namely, carmine, indigo, saffron, gamboge and Rubia tinctoria root. The separation was performed in a fused-silica capillary of 64.5 cm length and 50 microm id. The running buffer was 40 mM sodium tetraborate buffer solution (pH 9.25). The applied potential was 30 kV, the temperature was 25 degrees C and detections were performed at 196, 232, 252, 300 and 356 nm. The injections were under pressure of 50 mbar during 13 s. The method was applied to the identification of carminic acid, gambogic acid, crocetin, indigotin, alizarin and purpurin in the collection of drawings and maps at the Royal Chancellery Archives in Granada (Spain). The method was validated by using HPLC as a reference method.     

Polyamide as an efficient sorbent for simultaneous interference-free determination of three Sudan dyes in saffron and urine using high-performance liquid chromatography-ultra violet detection北大核心CSCD

With polyamide( PA)as an efficient sorbent for solid phase extraction( SPE)of Sudan dyes II,III and Red 7B from saffron and urine,their determination by HPLC was performed. The optimum conditions for SPE were achieved using 7 mL methanol/water( 1:9,v/v,pH 7)as the washing solvent and 3 mL tetrahydrofu-ran for elution. Good clean-up and high( above 90%)recoveries were observed for all the analytes. The opti-mized mobile phase composition for HPLC analysis of these compounds was methanol-water( 70:30,v/v). The SPE parameters,such as the maximum loading capacity and breakthrough volume,were also determined for each analyte. The limits of detection( LODs),limits of quantification( LOQs),linear ranges and recoveries for the analytes were 4. 6-6. 6 μg/L,13. 0-19. 8 μg/L,13. 0-5 000 μg/L( r2> 0. 99)and 92. 5% -113. 4%,respec-tively. The precisions( RSDs)of the overall analytical procedure,estimated by five replicate measurements for Sudan II,III and Red 7B in saffron and urine samples were 2. 3%,1. 8% and 3. 6%,respectively. The developed method is simple and successful in the application to the determination of Sudan dyes in saffron and urine sam-ples with HPLC coupled with UV detection.     

Extraction of crocin from saffron (Crocus sativus) using molecularly imprinted polymer solid‐phase extraction

A new molecularly imprinted polymer for extraction of crocin from saffron stigmas was prepared using gentiobiose (a glycoside moiety in crocin structure) as a template. Crocin binding to gentiobiose imprinted polymer (Gent‐MIP) was studied in comparison with a blank nonimprinted polymer in aqueous media. Affinity of the Gent‐MIP for the crocin was more than the nonimprinted polymer at all concentrations. In Scatchard analysis, the number of binding sites in each gram of polymer (maximum binding sites) and dissociation constant of crocin to binding sites were 18.4 μmol/g polymer and 11.2 μM, respectively. The Gent‐MIP was then used as the sorbent in an SPE method for isolation and purification of crocin from methanolic extract of saffron stigmas. The recovery of crocin, safranal and picrocrocin was determined in washing and elution steps. The Gent‐MIP had significantly higher affinity for crocin than other compounds and enabled selective extraction of crocin with a high recovery (84%) from a complex mixture. The results demonstrated the possibility of using a part of a big molecule in preparing a molecularly imprinted polymer with a good selectivity for the main structure.     

Hydrogen and Atom Transfer Activity of Saffron Extracts by Square Wave Voltammetry

Saffron is an edible spice with highly appreciated sensory and antioxidant properties. One of the most representative redox species found in saffron extracts is crocin, whose content is used to evaluate the quality and value of the resulting spice. In this study, a voltammetry method based on the direct detection of crocin at a bare glassy carbon electrode is presented. The principle of the method is based on the monitoring of the anodic wave exhibited by crocin (0.1–1.0 mM) after its mixing with the azo radical initiator AAPH (20 mM) in ethanol:acetonitrile (1 : 1) solution. The decay rate of the anodic peak (E=+434 mV vs. Ag/Ag⁺), as a result of the consumption of crocin by AAPH, was used as index of the hydrogen transfer capacity and, thus, of its antioxidant activity. With a decay rate of k=0.02 h⁻¹, crocin exhibits only a weak antioxidant activity in comparison with tocopherols (k=0.13 h⁻¹), but still sufficient to protect against the oxidation of safranal, a further redox species found in saffron extracts and mainly responsible for its flavor. The proposed approach was finally applied to discriminate saffron extract samples from different geographical origins. The proposed approach is suitable to characterize the quality of saffron extracts and estimate its antioxidant properties.     

Simultaneous Determination of Five Major Biologically Active Ingredients in Different Parts of Gardenia jasminoides Fruits by HPLC with Diode-Array Detection

A simple, sensitive and specific HPLC method for the simultaneous separation and determination of geniposide, geniposidic acid, chlorogenic acid, crocin 1 and 2 in fruits of Gardenia jasminoides Ellis was developed. Optimum chromatographic performance was obtained with a C₁₈ column and acetonitrile—0.1% aqueous trifluoroacetic acid (v/v) as mobile phase. Isolated peaks were detected at 240 nm for geniposidic acid and geniposide, 330 nm for chlorogenic acid and 440 nm for crocin 1 and 2, respectively. Comparison of spectra recorded with a diode-array detector during elution of peaks enabled determination of method specificity. Quantitative determinations on different parts of gardenia fruit demonstrated that all these compounds were abundant mainly in pericarps and pulps and only iridoid glycosides were also presented in sepals and seeds of the fruits.     

Potential of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Crocus sativus</Emphasis> (saffron) and its Constituent,Crocin, as Hypolipidemic and Antioxidant in Rats

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the hypolipidemic and antioxidant potential of saffron and its active constituent, crocin, in hyperlipidemic rats. The animals fed either with normal fat diet or high fat diet were administered orally saffron (25, 50, and 100 mg/kg) or crocin (4.84, 9.69, and 19.38 mg/kg) in their respective groups for five consecutive days. Biochemical estimations of triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione peroxidase enzyme activity (GSHPx), total glutathione (GSH), and oxidized glutathione (GSSG) in serum and superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), thiobarbituric acid reactive species (TBARS), ferric reducing/antioxidant power (FRAP), and total sulfhydryl (SH) groups in liver tissue homogenate were carried out. Both saffron and crocin were effective in decreasing the elevated levels of TG, TC, ALP, AST, ALT, MDA, GSHPx, GSH, and GSSG in serum and increasing SOD, CAT, FRAP, and SH values in liver tissue with reduction in TBARS. The saffron was found to be superior to crocin indicating the involvement of other potential constituents of saffron apart from crocin for its synergistic behavior of quenching the free radicals and ameliorating the damages of hyperlipidemia.     

Recent Advances on the Anticancer Properties of Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) and Its Major Constituents

Cancer is the second leading cause of death globally with an estimated 9.6 million deaths in 2018 and a sustained rise in its incidence in both developing and developed countries. According to the WHO, about 1 in 6 deaths is due to cancer. Despite the emergence of many pioneer therapeutic options for patients with cancer, their efficacy is still time-limited and noncurative. Thus, continuous intensive screening for superior and safer drugs is still ongoing and has resulted in the detection of the anticancer properties of several phytochemicals. Among the spices, Crocus sativus L. (saffron) and its main constituents, crocin, crocetin, and safranal, have attracted the interest of the scientific community. Pharmacological experiments have established numerous beneficial properties for this brilliant reddish-orange dye derived from the flowers of a humble crocus family species. Studies in cultured human malignant cell lines and animal models have demonstrated the cancer prevention and antitumor activities of saffron and its main ingredients. This review provides an insight into the advances in research on the anticancer properties of saffron and its components, discussing preclinical data, clinical trials, and patents aiming to improve the pharmacological properties of saffron and its major ingredients.     

LC Fingerprint and Hierarchical Cluster Analysis of Crocus sativus L. from Different Locations in China

Using simple, sensitive and specific column liquid chromatography, a chemical fingerprinting method was developed for investigating and demonstrating the variance of chemical components among different populations of Crocus sativus L., from 15 locations in China. The LC assay was performed on a reversed-phase C₁₈ column with linear gradient elution using methanol and 1% aqueous acetic acid. The LC data showed considerable variation of chemical constituents among C. sativus populations. Four chemotypes were visually developed from the chromatographic profiles. The grouping of 15 C. sativus populations in hierarchical clustering analysis was in good agreement with the visual comparison of their chromatograms, as demonstrated by chemotypes. In addition, the bioactive compound crocin 1 in this herb was quantitatively determined by a validated reversed-phase LC analysis. Relative peak areas of characteristic compounds were also calculated for quantitative expression of the LC fingerprints. These results showed that the established method for fingerprinting analysis was considered to be suitable for the quality control of C. sativus.     

Simultaneous Determination of Six Major Constituents in the Stems of Kadsura heteroclita by LC-DAD

The stem of Kadsura heteroclita is a traditional Chinese medicine with a variety of biological activities. For efficient monitoring of the quality of the herb, a simple, rapid, and accurate HPLC method has been developed for simultaneous determination of five cyclolanostane triterpenoid compounds (schisanlactone E, nigranoic acid, schisandronic acid, and heteroclitalactones A and D) and one tetrahydrofuran lignan (d-epigalbacin) in the stems of K. heteroclita. These six compounds were separated on a C₁₈ column by elution with a mobile-phase gradient prepared from acetonitrile and 0.05% (v/v) aqueous phosphoric acid. The flow rate was 1.0 mL min⁻¹ and the detection wavelength was 210 nm. The recovery of the method was in the range 95.03–102.19% and a good linear relationship (r ² > 0.9999) was obtained between response and compound concentration over a relatively wide range. The method was successfully applied to analysis of the herb collected at different stages of growth.     

Saffron and Its Major Ingredients’ Effect on Colon Cancer Cells with Mismatch Repair Deficiency and Microsatellite Instability

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common cancers worldwide. One of its subtypes is associated with defective mismatch repair (dMMR) genes. Saffron has many potentially protective roles against colon malignancy. However, these roles in the context of dMMR tumors have not been explored. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of saffron and its constituents in CRC cell lines with dMMR. Methods: Saffron crude extracts and specific compounds (safranal and crocin) were used in the human colorectal cancer cell lines HCT116, HCT116+3 (inserted MLH1), HCT116+5 (inserted MSH3), and HCT116+3+5 (inserted MLH1 and MSH3). CDC25b, p-H2AX, TPDP1, and GAPDH were analyzed by Western blot. Proliferation and cytotoxicity were analyzed by MTT. The scratch wound assay was also performed. Results: Saffron crude extracts restricted (up to 70%) the proliferation in colon cells with deficient MMR (HCT116) compared to proficient MMR. The wound healing assay indicates that deficient MMR cells are doing better (up to 90%) than proficient MMR cells when treated with saffron. CDC25b and TDP1 downregulated (up to 20-fold) in proficient MMR cells compared to deficient MMR cells, while p.H2AX was significantly upregulated in both cell types, particularly at >10 mg/mL saffron in a concentration-dependent manner. The reduction in cellular proliferation was accompanied with upregulation of caspase 3 and 7. The major active saffron compounds, safranal and crocin reproduced most of the saffron crude extracts’ effects. Conclusions: Saffron’s anti-proliferative effect is significant in cells with deficient MMR. This novel effect may have therapeutic implications and benefits for MSI CRC patients who are generally not recommended for the 5-fluorouracil-based treatment.     

Quality evaluation of Flos lonicerae through a simultaneous determination of seven saponins by HPLC with ELSD

A new HPLC coupled with evaporative light scattering detection (ELSD) method has been developed for the simultaneous quantitative determination of seven major saponins, namely macranthoidin B (1), macranthoidin A (2), dipsacoside B (3), hederagenin-28-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl(6-->1)-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl ester (4), macranthoside B (5), macranthoside A (6), and hederagenin-3-O-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl(2-->1)-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranoside (7) in Flos Lonicerae, a commonly used traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) herb. Simultaneous separation of these seven saponins was achieved on a C18 analytical column. The mobile phase consisted of (A) acetonitrile-acetic acid (95:0.5) and (B) 0.5% aqueous acetic acid using a gradient elution of 29%A at 0-10 min, 29-46%A at 10-25 min and 46%A at 25-30 min. The drift tube temperature of ELSD was set at 106 degrees C, and with the nitrogen flow-rate of 2.6 l/min. All calibration curves showed good linear regression (r2>0.9922) within test ranges. This method showed good reproducibility for the quantification of these seven saponins in Flos Lonicerae with intra- and inter-day variations of less than 3.0% and 6.0%, respectively. The validated method was successfully applied to quantify seven saponins in five sources of Flos Lonicerae, which provides a new basis of overall assessment on quality of Flos Lonicerae.     

Improved LC Method for the Simultaneous Determination of Five Active Components in Danshen and Its Preparations

A novel LC method for the simultaneous determination of tanshinone IIA, tanshinone I, cryptotanshinone, dihydrotanshinone, and salvianolic acid B in Danshen and its preparations was developed on a 3 μm particle-sized ODS short column. The five analytes were well separated within 45 min with good linearities (r ² > 0.9999), precises (<4.0%) and recoveries (97.9–105.3%) by a gradient elution of acetonitrile-0.1% aqueous trifluoroacetic acid (v/v). In addition, ultrasonic extraction procedures for sample preparation were optimized using an orthogonal array design. Quantitative determinations on nine herb samples and four preparations demonstrated the developed approaches were suitable for standardization of this herb and its preparations.

     

Indirect resolution of baclofen enantiomers from pharmaceutical dosage form by reversed-phase liquid chromatography after derivatization with Marfey's reagent and its structural variants

A high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method was developed for chiral assay of baclofen enantiomers in pharmaceutical formulations using an indirect approach. Baclofen enantiomers were derivatized with Marfey's reagent (FDNP-L-Ala-NH2) and its structural variants FDNP-L-Phe-NH2, FDNP-L-Val-NH2, FDNP-L-Leu-NH2 and FDNP-L-Pro-NH2. The resultant diastereomers were separated on RP-TLC [triethylammonium phosphate buffer (pH 4.0, 50 mm)-acetonitrile, 50:50] and on a C18 column using a linear gradient (45 min) of acetonitrile and 0.01% aqueous trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) with UV detection at 340 nm. The differences in the retention times (Delta t R) of diastereomers due to the five chiral reagents were compared. The maximum and minimum difference in retention times between separated diastereomers was for FDNP-L-Leu-NH2 and FDNP-L-Pro-NH2, respectively. The effect of flow rate, acetonitrile content and TFA concentration on resolution was studied. The method was validated for linearity, repeatability, limit of detection and limit of quantification.     

气相色谱法同时测定蟛蜞菊中的蟛蜞菊倍半萜内酯A和B

蟛蜞菊具有抗肿瘤、抗病毒作用,其主要活性成分是倍半萜内酯类物质。以分离纯化所得的结晶倍半萜内酯A与B为参考标准,采用HP毛细管色谱柱(30 m×0.25 mm i.d.× 0.25 μm),程序控制升温,氢火焰离子化检测器检测,测定了蟛蜞菊的地上部分（茎叶和花）中倍半萜内酯A与B的含量。测定结果表明:蟛蜞菊茎叶中的倍半萜内酯A和B的含量分别为（239±6.4） μg/g和（156±15） μg/g;花中倍半萜内酯A和B的含量分别为（233±6.5） μg/g和（173±16） μg/g。该法可用于蟛蜞菊原料及其药品的质量控制。     

改进的高效液相色谱法测定婴幼儿配方奶粉中5种核苷酸

建立并优化了高效液相色谱检测婴幼儿配方奶粉中5种核苷酸(尿嘧啶核苷酸(UMP)、腺嘌呤核苷酸(AMP)、次黄嘌呤核苷酸(IMP)、鸟嘌呤核苷酸(GMP)、胞嘧啶核苷酸(CMP))的方法。样品用水提取后,经乙酸沉淀蛋白质和HLB固相萃取柱净化,采用Waters XBrigde Amide(150 mm×4.6 mm,3.5μm)色谱柱分离,以乙腈、10 mmol/L磷酸二氢钠溶液和0.12%(v/v)磷酸溶液为流动相进行梯度洗脱,二极管阵列检测器(波长为254nm)检测。结果表明,5种核苷酸检测的线性范围宽,相关性好,相关系数(r2)均为0.999 9;方法的加标回收率为86.9%~105.7%;定量限为5.6~8.0 mg/kg;日内和日间精密度分别为0.5%~1.7%(n=5)和0.6%~1.9%(n=9)。该法前处理简单,分离效果好,回收率高,重复性好,可作为婴幼儿配方奶粉中5种核苷酸的有效检测方法。     

High performance liquid chromatography with an electrochemical detector in the cathodic mode as a tool for the determination of p-nitrophenol and assay of acid phosphatase in urine samples

Utilizing a commercially available helium-purging device and PEEK tubes for all tubing, especially for connection between the mobile phase and pump, high performance liquid chromatography with an electrochemical detector (ECD/HPLC) at the cathodic mode is a simple and precise method for the determination of p-nitrophenol (NP). Studies with cyclic and hydrodynamic voltammetry indicated that 25% aqueous MeOH containing 0.1% (v/v) CF(3)CO(2)H and -0.8 V vs. Ag/AgCl are the best mobile phase and detection potential for cathodic ECD/HPLC. With the present system, the limits of detection and determination were 0.2 and 0.25 microM, respectively, and up to 50 microM, a linear calibration curve was afforded. Within-day precisions for the analysis of 5 and 50 microM NP were 0.8 and 0.7% (n=6), respectively, and between-day precisions (n=6) for these samples were 3.5 and 2.2%, respectively. Compared with the commonly used Bessey-Lowry-Brock method, cathodic ECD/HPLC was useful for the assay of acid phosphatase in urine samples with p-nitrophenyl phosphate disodium salt as a substrate.     

Stability-indicating high-performance liquid chromatographic assay and analysis of decomposition products of 2-[4-[(7-chloro-2-quinoxalinyl)oxy]phenoxy]propanoic acid

A stability-indicating HPLC assay has been developed for 2-{4-[(7-chloro-2-quinoxalinyl)oxy]phenoxy}propanoic acid (XK469). XK-469 is the 7-chloro analog of herbicide Quizalofop and is currently under development as an antineoplastic agent. HPLC separation of XK469 is achieved with an ODS column using isocratic elution of an aqueous MeOH mobile phase. The assay is reproducible (RSD=0.9%), linear (r²=0.999), accurate (error=1.2%) and sensitive (LDL=1.2 ng). The HPLC separates XK469 from its forced decomposition products. Identities of the decomposition products have been elucidated.     

Quality evaluation of cortex moutan by high performance liquid chromatography coupled with diode array detector and electrospary ionization tandem mass spectrometry

An high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled with diode array detector (DAD) and electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (ESI/MS(n)) method was developed for quality evaluation of Cortex Moutan through identification of common constituents based on chromatographic fingerprints and determination of key pharmacological compounds. The representative chromatographic fingerprints of Cortex Moutan were obtained by analyzing 10 batches of samples under the optimized HPLC conditions and the results showed that the chromatographic profiles of the analyzed samples were very similar. Total of nineteen common peaks were detected and seventeen of them were identified rapidly by their characteristic UV profile and the information of molecular structure provided by ESI/MS(n) experiments. Simultaneously, five key pharmacological compounds, namely gallic acid, oxypaeoniflorin, paeoniflorin, benzoylpaeoniflorin and paeonol, were determined by the validated HPLC-DAD method. The linear calibration curves were acquired with correlation coefficients higher than 0.999. The precisions of intra-day and inter-day were not exceeding 3.1%, and the recoveries of five analytes were from 92.86 to 99.35%. This developed method that combined the chromatographic fingerprints and quantification assay ensured the phytoequivalence and pharmacological effects of Cortex Moutan and was successfully applied to the quality control of Cortex Moutan.