A novel analytical method based on HPLC-PDA coupled post-column derivatization to evaluate the ability to inhibit tyrosine nitration in lotus leaf extracts.

Protein tyrosine nitration plays a key role in many inflammatory and cardiovascular diseases and diabetes. Many natural products are used to treat these diseases through their ability to potentially interfere this reaction. Here, we describe a novel method to provide active fingerprinting of inhibition of tyrosine nitration by natural products based on post-column tyrosine nitration reaction analysis using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to a photometric diode array. Results indicated that lotus leaf extracts exhibited obvious inhibitory activity against tyrosine nitration by peroxynitrite, and that chemical and active fingerprints were simultaneously established, with the active fingerprints indicating the active compounds of the lotus leaves. Additionally, flavonoids were screened as the principal active compounds involved in inhibiting tyrosine nitration in the lotus leaf extracts, with quercetin-3--glucuronide and quercetin-3--glucoside exhibiting the greatest contributions. Moreover, our results suggested that lotus leaves from three regions (Nanjing, Suzhou, and Hangzhou) exhibited the best inhibitory activity. These findings indicated the usefulness of this method for screening active compounds involved in inhibiting protein tyrosine nitration, and that similar strategies can likely be applied to evaluate the inhibitory activity against tyrosine nitration of other natural products.