Dual-bioactivity-based liquid chromatography-coupled quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry for NF-κB inhibitors and β2AR agonists identification in Chinese Medicinal Preparation Qingfei Xiaoyan Wan

Anal Bioanal Chem. 2012 Nov;404(8):2445-52. doi: 10.1007/s00216-012-6332-9. Epub 2012 Sep 11.

Abstract

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) preparations have been used as an effective multitarget strategy for the treatment of complex diseases; however, their bioactive constituents are undefined and difficult to identify. In this study, a simple and dual-target method based on ultra-performance liquid chromatography/quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry combined with dual-bioactive (NF-κB and β(2)-adrenergic receptor) luciferase reporter assay systems was developed for the rapid determination of various bioactive compounds of TCM preparations. Qingfei Xiaoyan Wan, a TCM preparation used for the clinical therapy of asthma, was analyzed with this method. Potential anti-inflammatory and spasmolytic constituents were screened using NF-κB and β(2)-adrenergic receptor activity luciferase reporter assay systems and simultaneously identified according to the time-of-flight mass spectrometry data. One β(2)-adrenergic receptor agonist (ephedrine) and four structural types of NF-κB inhibitors (arctigenin derivatives, cholic acid derivatives, chlorogenic acid, and sinapic acid) were characterized. Tracheloside was considered a new NF-κB inhibitor. Further cytokine and chemokine detection confirmed the anti-inflammatory effects of the potential NF-κB inhibitors. The integration of ultra-performance liquid chromatography/quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry and dual-bioactive human cell functional evaluation systems proved to be a simple and effective strategy for the rapid screening of various bioactive compounds in TCM preparations used to treat complex diseases.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adrenergic beta-2 Receptor Agonists / analysis
  • Adrenergic beta-2 Receptor Agonists / chemistry*
  • Cell Line
  • Chromatography, Liquid*
  • Drug Delivery Systems
  • Drugs, Chinese Herbal / analysis
  • Drugs, Chinese Herbal / chemistry*
  • Humans
  • Molecular Structure
  • NF-kappa B / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Tandem Mass Spectrometry*
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Adrenergic beta-2 Receptor Agonists
  • Drugs, Chinese Herbal
  • NF-kappa B