Analysis of lignans from Phyllanthus niruri L. in plasma using a simple HPLC method with fluorescence detection and its application in a pharmacokinetic study

A simple analytical method using HPLC with fluorescence detection was developed for the simultaneous determination of four lignans, phyllanthin (1), hypophyllanthin (2), phyltetralin (3) and niranthin (4) from Phyllanthus niruri L. in plasma. The method recorded limits of detection for 1, 2, 3 and 4 as 1.22, 6.02, 0.61 and 1.22 ng/ml, respectively, at a signal-to-noise ratio of 5:1 whereas their limits of quantification were 4.88, 24.41, 4.88 and 9.76 ng/ml, respectively, at a signal-to-noise ratio of 12:1. These values were comparable to those of other sensitive methods such as gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), high-performance liquid chromatography-MS (HPLC-MS) and HPLC-electrochemical detection (HPLC-ECD) for the analysis of plasma lignans. A further advantage over known methods was its simple protocol for sample preparation. The within-day and between-day accuracies for the analysis of the four lignans were between 87.69 and 110.07% with precision values below 10.51%. Their mean recoveries from extraction were between 91.39 and 114.67%. The method was successfully applied in the pharmacokinetic study of lignans in rats. Following intravenous administration, the lignans were eliminated slowly from the body with a mean clearance of 0.04, 0.01, 0.03 and 0.02 l/kg h and a mean half-life of 3.56, 3.87, 3.35 and 4.40 h for 1, 2, 3 and 4, respectively. Their peak plasma concentration upon oral administration was 0.18, 0.56, 0.12 and 0.62 microg/ml, respectively, after 1h. However, their absorption was incomplete with a calculated absolute oral bioavailability of 0.62, 1.52, 4.01 and 2.66% for 1, 2, 3 and 4, respectively.     

Extraction of phyllanthusols A and B from Phyllanthus acidus and analysis by capillary electrophoresis

Extracts of roots Phyllanthus acidus were examined by free zone capillary electrophoresis, micellar electrokinetic chromatography (MEKC), and MEKC using the sweeping technique which involves application of a negative potential to the inlet end of the capillary and very much longer than conventional injection times. The latter technique, using a buffer of 50 mM sodium dihydrogen phosphate (pH 2) containing 80 mM sodium dodecylsulphate and 30% methanol was found to allow complete resolution of the active constituents of P. acidus, phyllanthusols A and B, from each other and from other extracted components in under 30 min. Several other components could be detected when hydrodynamic injection times of 500 s were used. The separation, combined with an appropriate extraction procedure and using an internal standard of proguanil, permitted quantification of both phyllanthusols. Calibrations were linear over the range 2-8 micrograms/mL for phyllanthusol A, and 1-4 micrograms/mL for phyllanthusol B. Within-day and day-to-day repeatability RSDs were below 10%, and the precision of extraction RSD was around 14%. The limits of quantification and detection were 0.55 and 0.24 microgram/mL, respectively.     

余甘子总黄酮超声波辅助提取工艺的优化

以余甘子干粉为材料,利用超声波辅助提取余甘子总黄酮。单因素试验分析液料比、乙醇浓度、超声时间、超声功率对余甘子总黄酮提取率的影响,在此基础上,利用响应面分析法对提取工艺进行优化。结果表明,余甘子总黄酮最佳提取条件为：液料比82:1(V/W)、乙醇浓度45%、超声时间41 min、超声功率210 W,在此条件下余甘子总黄酮的实际提取率为6.12%。     

珠子草化学成分的研究

利用大孔树脂吸附和多种柱层析方法,从珠子草中分离得到5个化合物,根据理化数据和波谱学等方法鉴定为柯里拉京(1)、芦丁(2)、isobubbialine(3)、丁二酸(4)和没食子酸(5)。根据2D-NMR修正了化合物3的部分碳信号归属,归属了化合物1的碳氢谱数据。     

Quantitation of surfactant protein B by HPLC in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid

A sensitive reversed phase HPLC method with evaporative light scattering detection (ELSD) was developed for the determination of the hydrophobic surfactant protein B (SP-B) in human bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Samples were extracted two times with CHCl(3):MeOH:HCl (2:3:0.005N) solution in a ratio of 1:2 by volume. The extract of the lower phase was separated on a C4 butyl silica gel column with an isocratic elution using a mobile phase, consisting of 97% methanol, 2.75% chloroform and 0.25% 0.1 M trifluoroacetic acid (by volume), at a flow rate of 1 ml/min. SP-B was detected by ELSD and quantified by comparison to an external standard. The duration of a run was 7 min, the quantification limit 30 ng and the limit of detection was at about 15 ng of SP-B. This method is suitable for the rapid routine quantification of SP-B in human bronchoalveolar lavage fluid samples.     

Phyllanthus urinaria extract attenuates acetaminophen induced hepatotoxicity: Involvement of cytochrome P450 CYP2E1

Acetaminophen is a commonly used drug for the treatment of patients with common cold and influenza. However, an overdose of acetaminophen may be fatal. In this study we investigated whether mice, administered intraperitoneally with a lethal dose of acetaminophen, when followed by oral administration of Phyllanthus urinaria extract, may be prevented from death. Histopathological analysis of mouse liver sections showed that Phyllanthus urinaria extract may protect the hepatocytes from acetaminophen-induced necrosis. Therapeutic dose of Phyllanthus urinaria extract did not show any toxicological phenomenon on mice. Immunohistochemical staining with the cytochrome P450 CYP2E1 antibody revealed that Phyllanthus urinaria extract reduced the cytochrome P450 CYP2E1 protein level in mice pre-treated with a lethal dose of acetaminophen. Phyllanthus urinaria extract also inhibited the cytochrome P450 CYP2E1 enzymatic activity in vitro. Heavy metals, including arsenic, cadmium, mercury and lead, as well as herbicide residues were not found above their detection limits. High performance liquid chromatography identified corilagin and gallic acid as the major components of the Phyllanthus urinaria extract. We conclude that Phyllanthus urinaria extract is effective in attenuating the acetaminophen induced hepatotoxicity, and inhibition of cytochrome P450 CYP2E1 enzyme may be an important factor for its therapeutic mechanism.     

Simultaneous quantification of components of neoglycolipid-coated liposomes using high-performance liquid chromatography with evaporative light scattering detection

Liposomes composed of dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC), cholesterol and a neoglycolipid, mannopentaose-conjugated dipalmitoylphosphatidylethanolamine (Man5-DPPE), have been shown to have a strong adjuvant effect in inducing the antigen-specific cellular immunity. In this study, a rapid and simple analytical method using a HPLC system with an evaporative light scattering detector was developed for simultaneous quantification of the liposome components Man5-DPPE, cholesterol and DPPC. The chromatographic separation of these components was performed using a trimethylsilane column with an isocratic mobile phase of chloroform–methanol–water (1:33:6, v/v) after disrupting the liposomes with chloroform–methanol–water (10:10:3, v/v). This HPLC method provided sufficient reproducibility and linearity of calibration curves for the quantification of the liposome constituents. In addition, this method can be used for the quantification of various neoglycolipids with different carbohydrate structures.     

An accurate proteomic quantification method: Fluorescence labeling absolute quantification (FLAQ) using multidimensional liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry

A facile proteomic quantification method, fluorescent labeling absolute quantification (FLAQ), was developed. Instead of using MS for quantification, the FLAQ method is a chromatography-based quantification in combination with MS for identification. Multidimensional liquid chromatography (MDLC) with laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) detection with high accuracy and tandem MS system were employed for FLAQ. Several requirements should be met for fluorescent labeling in MS identification: Labeling completeness, minimum side-reactions, simple MS spectra, and no extra tandem MS fragmentations for structure elucidations. A fluorescence dye, 5-iodoacetamidofluorescein, was finally chosen to label proteins on all cysteine residues. The fluorescent dye was compatible with the process of the trypsin digestion and MALDI MS identification. Quantitative labeling was achieved with optimization of reacting conditions. A synthesized peptide and model proteins, BSA (35 cysteines), OVA (five cysteines), were used for verifying the completeness of labeling. Proteins were separated through MDLC and quantified based on fluorescent intensities, followed by MS identification. High accuracy (RSD% < 1.58) and wide linearity of quantification (1-10(5) ) were achieved by LIF detection. The limit of quantitation for the model protein was as low as 0.34 amol. Parts of proteins in human liver proteome were quantified and demonstrated using FLAQ.     

Determination of isometamidium residues in animal-derived foods by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

In this paper, a new determination method for isometamidium residues in animal-derived foods was developed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Isometamidium residues in bovine tissues and milk were extracted with the mixed solution of acetonitrile and 0.25 mol/L of ammonium formate-methanol (v/v, 1:1), concentrated and degreased, and determined by LC-MS/MS with quantification by external standard method. The results showed that the peak area of chromatogram was linearly related to the concentration of isometamidium in the range of 1-100 μg/L, and the limits of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ) were 0.05 μg/kg and 5 μg/kg, respectively. The average recoveries of spiked samples were in the range of 73.8-93.9% with relative standard deviations ranged from 2.3% to 7.5%. This method is simple, accurate and suitable for the identification and quantification for isometamidium in animal-derived foods.     

Application of a rapid and efficient h.p.l.c. method to measure bilirubin and its conjugates from native bile and in model bile systems. Potential use as a tool for kinetic reactions and as an aid in diagnosis of hepatobiliary disease.

We have developed an extremely rapid and efficient reverse-phase h.p.l.c. method for the measurement of bilirubin and its conjugates in human bile and in model bile systems. Our method involves the use of a Perkin-Elmer 3 mu C18 column and a methanol/sodium acetate/aq. ammonium acetate buffer system. Three isomers of bilirubin diglucuronide (BDG), two isomers of bilirubin monoglucuronide (BMG), three isomers of unconjugated bilirubin (UCB) and minor conjugates containing glucose and xylose were separated in 12 min. Initial quantification of BDG and BMG was based on the use of the ethyl anthranilate azo derivative of bilirubin (AZO UCB); however, the standard curves for BDG, BMG and UCB were similar enough to permit quantification to be later based on the UCB standard curve only, thereby simplifying the quantification process. Routine direct injection of 6 or 10 microliter of crude undiluted or diluted (1:1) bile sample was sufficient for analysis. The method was helpful in diagnosing biliary-tract obstruction in a newborn and a partial deficiency state of bilirubin conjugation (Crigler-Najjar syndrome) in a 10-year-old male. When the method was applied to biles of patients both with and without gallstones, levels of UCB were less than 2% of total pigment, consistent with previous reports. Because of its speed and efficiency, this method has the potential for a broad range of applications including enzymic, kinetic and bile sample analyses.     

Determination of leukocyte DNA 6-thioguanine nucleotide levels by high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection

A HPLC method for determination of 6-thioguanine nucleotide in DNA was developed. Leukocyte DNA was isolated from peripheral blood, derivatized with chloroacetaldehyde and the formed etheno derivatives N(2),3-etheno 6-thioguanine (epsilon6TG), 1,N(6)-etheno adenine (epsilonA) and N(2),3-etheno guanine (epsilonG) were released from the DNA backbone by hydrolysis at pH 6.0 and 80 degrees C for 60 min. After extraction of epsilon6TG by immobilized metal ion affinity chromatography (IMAC) the sample was analysed by ion-pair reversed-phase HPLC with fluorescence detection. The limit of quantification was 9.0 nM and the intra- and interday precision ranged from 2.8 to 15.5%. In a small cohort of eight children with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL), a median of one 6-thioguanine base was found for each 3000 normal bases (range 1:2000-1:11000).     

Densitometric Quantification and Optimization of Polyphenols in Phyllanthus maderaspatensis by HPTLC

Quantifying and optimizing the polyphenol content of Phyllanthus maderaspatensis was accomplished using a single-solvent HPTLC system. Analyzing hydroalcoholic extracts for kaempferol, rutin, ellagic acid, quercetin, catechin, and gallic acid, we simultaneously quantified and optimized their concentration. In the experiment, the methanol to water ratio (%), temperature (°C), and time of extraction (min) were all optimized using a Box-Behnken statistical design. Kaempferol, rutin, ellagic acid, quercetin, catechin, and gallic acid were among the dependent variables analyzed. In the HPTLC separation, silica gel 60F254 plates were used, and toluene, ethyl acetate, and formic acid (5:4:1) made up the mobile phase. For kaempferol, rutin, ellagic acid, quercetin, catechin, and gallic acid, densitometric measurements were carried out using the absorbance mode at 254 nm. Hydroalcoholic extract of P. maderaspatensis contains rutin (0.344), catechin (2.62), gallic acid (0.93), ellagic acid (0.172), quercetin (0.0108) and kaempferol (0.06). Further, it may be affected by more than one factor at a time, resulting in a varying degree of reaction. A negative correlation was found between X1 (extraction time (min)) and X2 (temperature), as well as X1 and X3 (solvent ratios). Taking these characteristics into consideration, the method outlined here is a validated HPTLC method for measuring kaempferol, rutin, ellagic acid, quercetin, catechin, and gallic acid.     

Detection and quantification of Listeria monocytogenes by 5'-nuclease polymerase chain reaction targeting the actA gene

AIMS: The aim of this study was to develop a 5'-nuclease polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the rapid detection and quantification of Listeria monocytogenes. METHODS AND RESULTS: Specific primers and a fluorogenic probe were designed, which target a specific sequence of the actA gene encoding for a protein involved in the actin filament assembly. The PCR system was highly sensitive and specific for L. monocytogenes (inclusivity, 100%; exclusivity, 100%), which was determined using 46 L. monocytogenes and 28 non-L. monocytogenes strains. Detection limits of 10(4) cfu ml(-1) after 35 cycles and 10(2) cfu ml(-1) after 45 cycles were achieved by PCR in both real-time and end-point fluorescence measurement modes. Linear calibration lines were obtained in the range from 10(2) to 10(9) cfu ml(-1) for three L. monocytogenes strains in real-time PCR with 45 cycles. CONCLUSIONS: The developed 5'-nuclease PCR of the actA gene provides a new target for the rapid detection and quantification of L. monocytogenes. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: In conjunction with enrichment or with an appropriate quantitative sample preparation technique, the method is suitable for food safety applications.     

Quantification of Escherichia coli by kinetic 5'-nuclease polymerase chain reaction (real-time PCR) oriented to sfmD gene

AIMS: A kinetic 5'-nuclease polymerase chain reaction (real-time PCR) for the quantification of Escherichia coli was developed. METHODS AND RESULTS: Specific primers and a fluorogenic probe oriented to sfmD gene, encoding a putative outer membrane export usher protein, were designed. The PCR system was highly specific and sensitive for E. coli, as determined with 37 non-E. coli strains (exclusivity, 100%) and 24 E. coli strains (inclusivity, 100%). When used in real-time PCR, linear calibration lines were obtained in the range from 10(2) to 10(8) CFU ml(-1) for three E. coli strains. Salmonella Enteritidis (10(6) CFU ml(-1)) or Citrobacter freundii (10(6) CFU ml(1)) had no effect on quantification of E. coli by the method. CONCLUSIONS: The developed real-time PCR is suitable for rapid quantification of E. coli. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: In connection to an appropriate sample preparation technique, the method is suitable for food safety and technological hygiene applications.     

Validation of a UHPLC-FLD analytical method for the simultaneous quantification of aflatoxin B1 and ochratoxin a in rat plasma, liver and kidney

A rapid and simple method for the simultaneous quantification of AFB1 and OTA in rat plasma, liver and kidney by UHPLC-FLD has been successfully validated according to the following criteria: selectivity, stability, linearity, precision, accuracy, recovery, robustness and limits of quantification and detection. The extraction method, calibration curves and chromatographic conditions are common for the three matrices. Plasma and homogenized tissue samples (100 μL) were extracted with acetonitrile:formic acid mixture (99:1) (300 μL). Chromatographic separation was performed with a mixture of water and acetonitrile:methanol (50:50), both acidified with 0.5% of formic acid using a gradient profile. The method avoids the use of immunoaffinity columns and allows reduction of sample and solvent volumes as well as toxic wastes. The detection is based on a photochemical reaction which enhances the AFB1 response without affecting the OTA signal before reaching the fluorescent detector. The mycotoxin recovery for each matrix was very efficient, between 93% and 96% for AFB1 and between 94% and 96% for OTA. For both mycotoxins the LOQs were 2μg/L in plasma and 8μg/kg in liver and kidney. The method has successfully been applied to rat samples after a single oral administration of a mixture of AFB1 and OTA and it could be a useful tool in toxicokinetic and toxicological studies.     

Quantification and confirmation of flunixin in equine plasma by liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry

The method describes quantification and confirmation of flunixin in equine plasma by liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC/Q-TOF/MS/MS). Samples were screened by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and only those samples presumptively declared positive were subjected to quantification and confirmation for the presence of flunixin by this method. The method is also readily adaptable to instrumental screening for the analyte. Flunixin was recovered from plasma by liquid-liquid extraction (LLE). The sample was diluted with 2 ml saturated phosphate buffer (pH 3.10) prior to LLE. The dried extract was reconstituted in acetonitrile:water:formic acid (50:50:0.1, v/v/v) and subsequently analyzed on a Q-TOF tandem mass spectrometer (Micromass) operated under electrospray ionization positive ion mode. The concentration of flunixin was determined by the internal standard (IS) calibration method using the peak area ratio with clonixin as the IS. The limits of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ) for flunixin in equine plasma were 0.1 and 1 ng/ml, respectively, whereas the limit of confirmation (LOC) was 2.5 ng/ml. The qualifying ions for the identification of flunixin were m/z 297 [M+H](+), 279 (BP), 264, 259, 239 and those for clonixin (IS) were m/z 263 [M+H](+), 245 (BP) and 210. The measurement uncertainty about the result was 8.7%. The method is simple, sensitive, robust and reliably fast in the quantification and confirmation of flunixin in equine plasma. Application of this method will assist racing authorities in the enforcement of tolerance plasma concentration of flunixin in the racehorse on race day.     

从珠子草中分离得到的化合物:软木三萜酮在溶液和晶体中的结构

首次从大戟科植物珠子草中分离得到软木三萜酮.利用晶体X-射线法与一维和二维核磁共振法测定了该化合物的结构,指认了核磁共振信号的归属.晶体衍射结果表明,化合物是以斜方晶体空间群形成晶体,晶体数据维P2(1)2(1)2(1)with a=6.361(2)A,b=13.933(3)A,c=28.440(6)A,α=90°,β=90°,γ=90°,V=2520.6(11)A3,Z=4.在晶体中存在一个微弱的分子间的作用力C-H……O=C,此作用力被认为是晶体形成的重要因素.NMR方法确定化合物的结构相同,表明了软木三萜酮在晶体和溶液具有相同的构型.     

Quantification of the production of dihydrokaempferol by flavanone 3-hydroxytransferase using capillary electrophoresis

A sensitive method using capillary electrophoresis for the separation, detection, and quantification of dihydrokaempferol (1) is reported. Well-resolved, sharp symmetrical peaks were obtained in grapefruit leaf extracts for 1, naringenin (2), and the internal standard, naringin (3). Long columns were required to resolve 1 from 2 in crude enzyme reactions and this resulted in run times of 60 min. The limit of detection for 1 was found to be 1.44 ng/microL (4.2 pg). The method showed excellent linearity and reproducibility. The method was used to determine the activity of flavanone 3-hydroxytransferase (F3H) in leaf tissue of grapefruit by quantification of the production of dihydrokaempferol in controlled time course reactions. The sensitivity of the method makes it adaptable to assaying F3H activity in individual young seedlings and/or in small tissue samples and requires only 100 mg of tissue.