engleski

Optimization of Extraction Protocols and Development of Sensitive LC-MS Techniques for Detection of Bioactive Metabolites in Medicinal Plants

Plants have a long tradition of use in traditional medicine across the world. Consequentially, natural sources of numerous medicinal plants have been over-exploited and certain very important species are facing extinction. Huperzine A is an alkaloid from the clubmoss Huperzia squarrosa currently being investigated for its cholinesterase inhibitory activity and the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease ; triptolide is a diterpene from the vine Tripterygium regelii with potent anti-inflammatory activity presently in clinical trials for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Both plants grow very slowly and have been extensively exploited in their natural habitats in China. Extraction protocols for huperzine A and triptolide have been optimized to microscale and very small amounts of starting material (as low as 10 mg). Rapid resolution of bioactive metabolites from the extracts has been achieved on the LC-QToF-MS system using electrospray ionization and atmospheric pressure chemical ionization source in the positive polarity, and the presence of the compounds of interest confirmed via tandem mass spectrometry in various organs of the plant. Total RNA extractions have been performed from the tissues actively making these metabolites, as a step towards the long-term goal of elucidating their biosynthetic pathways.

Huperzia squarrosa; huperzine A; Tripterygium regelii; triptolide; LC-QToF-MS

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