Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Benxi 117004, China.
School of Pharmacy and Medicine, Tonghua Normal University, Tonghua 134002, China.
Molecules. 2024 Oct 4;29(19):4701. doi: 10.3390/molecules29194701.
(Nakai) Moldenke () root, a traditional Chinese medicine, was found to exhibit remarkable pharmacological properties through a series of comprehensive investigations. Our study commenced with a qualitative phytochemical analysis that identified 12 bioactive compounds within the plant. Subsequently, utilizing ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometry, the methanol extract emerged as the optimal solvent extract, which was abundant in diverse classes of compounds such as carbohydrates, phenolics, steroids, alkaloids, phenolic acids, and tannins. In vitro antioxidant assays underscored the exceptional free radical scavenging, metal ion chelation, hydrogen peroxide scavenging, singlet oxygen quenching, and -carotene bleaching capabilities of the methanol extract, significantly outperforming other solvent extracts. Further ultra high-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-quadrupole time of flight-mass spectrometry analysis revealed the presence of 45 compounds, predominantly anthraquinones and phenolics, in the methanol extract. The extract demonstrated robust stability under various conditions, including high temperatures, varying pH levels, and simulated gastrointestinal digestion as well as efficacy in inhibiting the oxidation in edible oils. Acute toxicity tests in mice confirmed the safety of the methanol extract and provided a valuable dosage reference for future studies. Importantly, high-dose methanol extract exhibited a significant pre-protective effect against -galactosamine-induced liver injury in rats, as evidenced by reduced alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, -glutamyl transpeptidase, malondialdehyde levels, and elevated catalase and albumin levels. These findings suggest a potential role for the methanol extract of root in treating oxidative stress-related disorders, highlighting the plant's immense medicinal potential. Our research offers a thorough evaluation of the bioactive components, antioxidant properties, stability, and liver-protecting effects of the methanol extract, setting the stage for deeper investigation and potential clinical applications.
（中译英）（Nakai）苦参，一种传统的中药，通过一系列全面的研究被发现具有显著的药理学特性。我们的研究始于定性植物化学分析，鉴定出植物中含有 12 种生物活性化合物。随后，利用紫外可见分光光度法，甲醇提取物成为最佳的溶剂提取物，其中含有丰富的不同类型的化合物，如碳水化合物、酚类、甾体、生物碱、酚酸和单宁。体外抗氧化试验强调了甲醇提取物具有出色的自由基清除、金属离子螯合、过氧化氢清除、单线态氧猝灭和 -胡萝卜素漂白能力，显著优于其他溶剂提取物。进一步的超高效液相色谱-电喷雾电离-四极杆飞行时间质谱分析揭示了甲醇提取物中存在 45 种化合物，主要为蒽醌类和酚类化合物。提取物在各种条件下表现出很强的稳定性，包括高温、不同的 pH 值和模拟胃肠道消化，以及抑制食用油氧化的功效。急性毒性试验在小鼠中证实了甲醇提取物的安全性，并为未来的研究提供了有价值的剂量参考。重要的是，高剂量甲醇提取物对 -半乳糖胺诱导的大鼠肝损伤表现出显著的预保护作用，表现为丙氨酸氨基转移酶、天冬氨酸氨基转移酶、-谷氨酰转肽酶、丙二醛水平降低，过氧化氢酶和白蛋白水平升高。这些发现表明苦参甲醇提取物在治疗氧化应激相关疾病方面具有潜在的作用，突出了该植物巨大的药用潜力。我们的研究对甲醇提取物的生物活性成分、抗氧化特性、稳定性和护肝作用进行了全面评估，为进一步的研究和潜在的临床应用奠定了基础。
