The metabolomic screening of potential anti-inflammatory compounds in the leaves of Actinidia arguta was performed by using LC-MS/MS. Ethanol extracts were prepared, and the anti-inflammatory effects were investigated based on nitric oxide (NO) synthesis and inducible nitric oxide synthase expression in lipopolysaccharide-induced RAW 264.7 macrophages. The 75% ethanol extract showed the highest inhibitory effect on nitric oxide (NO) production, and it was further separated by in vitro bioassay-guided fractionation using preparative LC with reversed-phase column separation. Through multiple steps of fractionation, sub-fraction 1-3 was finally purified, and caffeic acid derivatives, such as caffeoylthreonic acid and danshensu (salvianic acid A), were successfully identified as key anti-inflammatory compounds by LC-MS/MS and metabolomics analyses. This is the first study identifying anti-inflammatory compounds in A. arguta (Actinidia arguta) leaves through bioassay-guided fractionation and metabolomics screening. Results of this study would be useful for the application of A. arguta leaves as a nutraceutical.
Keywords: Actinidia arguta; Anti-inflammatory; caffeic acid derivatives; metabolomic screening.