Target cell extraction coupled with LC‐MS/MS analysis for screening potential bioactive components in Ginkgo biloba extract with preventive effect against diabetic nephropathy

A rapid and useful approach for screening potential bioactive components in Ginkgo biloba extract (GBE) with preventive effect against diabetic nephropathy (DN) was developed using mesangial cells extraction coupled with high‐performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC‐MS/MS) analysis. Mesangial cells were first divided into two groups according to their treatments with high glucose or high glucose plus GBE. After incubation for 4, 8, 12, 16, 24 and 48 h, the cells were harvested and extracted with 40% acetic acid in water before LC‐MS/MS analysis. Then, 19 compounds and five metabolites were found to selectively combine with mesangial cells. Notably, compounds including quercetin and rutin were identified or tentatively characterized according to the results of retention time and MS spectra, which is highly consistent with our previous reports that quercetin and rutin are potent protective agents against glomerulosclerosis in DN. Therefore, all these results indicate that target cell extraction coupled with LC‐MS/MS analysis can be successfully applied for predicting the bioactive components in GBE with preventive effect against DN. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Tissue distribution and excretion study of neopanaxadiol in rats by ultra‐performance liquid chromatography quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry

Neopanaxadiol (NPD), a major ginsenoside in Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer (Araliaceae), was reported to have neuroprotective effect. In this study, a method of ultra‐performance liquid chromatography quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (UPLC/QTOF‐MS) was developed and validated for quantitative analysis of NPD in tissues, urine and feces, using liquid–liquid extraction (LLE) to isolate NPD from different biological samples, and chromatographic separation was performed on an Agilent Zorbax Stable Bond C₁₈ (2.1 × 50 mm, 1.8 µm) column with 0.1% formic acid in water and acetonitrile. All standard calibration curves were linear (all r² > 0.995) within the test range. After oral administration, NPD was extensively distributed to most of the tissues without long‐term accumulation. The higher levels were observed in stomach and intestine, followed by kidney and liver. Approximately 64.56 ± 20.32% of administered dose in feces and 0.0233 ± 0.0356% in urine were found within 96 h, which indicated that the major elimination route was fecal excretion. This analytical method was applied to the study of NPD distribution and excretion in rats after oral intake for the first time. The results we found here are helpful for us to understand the pharmacological effects of NPD, as well as its toxicity. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

超高效液相色谱-串联质谱法对饲料中15种β-肾上腺素能激动剂的测定

动物源性食品中兽药残留是近几年来国际社会开始研究的公共卫生问题之一.世界各国加强了对国际贸易动物源性食品中兽药残留的检测,而开展饲料及饲料添加剂中兽药残留的检测是从源头进行控制的有效手段[1].     

Analysis of catecholamines and their metabolites in adrenal gland by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry

Two simple, rapid and specific analytical methods for 13 catecholamines and their metabolites have been developed based on liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry in a multiple reaction monitoring mode. Tyrosine, dopamine, dihydroxyphenylalanine, epinephrine, norepinephrine, 3-methoxytyramine, normetanephrine, metanephrine and isoproterenol (internal standard) were separated on a Kromasil™ Cyano analytical column by a mobile phase consisting of 60% (v/v) acetonitrile and 40% (v/v) water adjusted with formic acid to pH 3.0, and detected by positive ionization electrospray tandem mass spectrometry. While vanillymandelic acid, 3,4-dihydroxymandelic acid, homovanillic acid, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid, 4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenylglycol and 5-hydroxy-2-indolecarboxylic acid (internal standard) were separated on a reversed-phase Shim-Pak VP-ODS column with the mobile phase of 60% (v/v) acetonitrile, and 40% (v/v) water adjusted with formic acid to pH 4.5 and detected in the negative ionization electrospray tandem mass spectrometry. The influence of various parameters such as column type and mobile phase composition on separation and sensitivity were investigated. The limits of detection were in the range of 0.5-20 ng mL⁻¹. The mean recoveries determined from three different concentrations of each analyte were above 85.4%. The precision of the method calculated as relative standard deviation was lower than 5.3%. Deduced from the results of real sample analysis, adrenal gland synthesizes and stores the catecholamine hormones norepinephrine and epinephrine.     

Preparation, characterization and biocompatibility of poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(n-butyl cyanoacrylate) nanocapsules with oil core via miniemulsion polymerization

A new type of nanocapsules with an oil core, coated by poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) was designed. The loading efficiency and the biocompatibility of the polymeric nanocapsules were evaluated when it was used as a carrier for hydrophobic agent paclitaxel. The nanocapsules were synthesized through miniemulsion polymerization of butylcyanoacrylate (BCA) with PEG as initiator. The particle size and zeta potential of nanocapsules were influenced by the PEG content in the polymerization system. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra and ¹H NMR demonstrated the chemical coupling between PEG and poly(butylcyanoacrylate) (PBCA). Thermal characteristics of the copolymer were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The encapsulation efficiency increased concurrently with the increase of the PEG content in the system. The hemolytic assay and the cytotoxicity measurement showed that the PEG coating could significantly reduce the hemolytic potential and cytotoxicity of the nanocapsules. The results showed that the PEG-PBCA nanocapsules could be an effective carrier for hydrophobic agents.     

Study on the interaction of a palladium complex with DNA

The complex [Pd(bipy)Cl₂] (1) (bipy = 2,2′-bipyridyl) has been synthesized and characterized by NMR spectroscopy, elemental analysis and X-ray diffraction method. The first step hydrolysis reaction kinetics for the complex was studied by UV-absorption spectroscopy; the speed constant (k ₁) was found to be 3.0×10^?4 s^?1. The fluorescence spectra have been collected to investigate the interaction of complex (1) with fish sperm DNA (FS-DNA) and the results indicate that the complex (1) has an effective intercalation within DNA. The reaction of complex (1) with adenine in ethanol/water results in the compound [Pd₂(bipy)₂(ade)₂]Cl₂·3H₂O (2) (ade = adenine) whose crystal structure was determined by X-ray diffraction method. The structure is orthorhombic, Pmmn, a = 12.993(4) Å, b = 14.512(5) Å, c = 9.837(3) Å, V = 1854.8(11) ų, Z = 2 (C₃₀H₃₀Cl₂N₁₄O₃Pd₂), final R ₁ = 0.0675. The palladium complex is a binuclear cation, where two ade ligands bridge two Pd(II) centers, while each Pd(II) is also chelated by one bipy ligand.     

A new flavonol derivative from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Fagopyrum dibotrys</Emphasis>

A new flavonol derivative 3, 8-dihydroxy-10-methoxy-5-H-isochromeno[4, 3-b]chromen-7-one (1) together with four known compounds, glutinone (2), luteolin (3), acacetin 7-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl- (1→6)-β-D-glucopyranoside (4), and rutin (5) were isolated from the dried roots of Fagopyrum dibotrys. Their structures were determined by UV, IR, MS, ¹H, and ¹³C NMR spectroscopic analysis, including 2D NMR. Published in Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 6, pp. 567–568, November–December, 2008.