Screening of Anti-Inflammatory Components of Qin Jin Hua Tan Tang by a Multivariate Statistical Analysis Approach for Spectrum-Effect Relationships

Feipeng Duan,Fang Ma,Shuqi Qiu,Yue Feng,Yisheng Li,Yiqing Zheng,Xinquan Pan,Meizhen Zhao,Tianyong Hu,Eduardo Dellacassa

doi:10.1155/2021/6348979

Abstract

Qing Jin Hua Tan Tang (QJHTT) exerts therapeutic effects in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) by alleviating inflammation. However, the anti-inflammatory components of QJHTT have not yet been reported. Our study aimed to screen the active anti-inflammatory components of QJHTT using a multivariate statistical analysis approach for spectrum-effect relationships. Different polar fractions of QJHTT were prepared using ethanol, ethyl acetate, and n-butanol to analyze the phytochemical components. Phytochemical fingerprints were generated using ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography. In total, 24 peaks were observed in ten batches of QJHTT extracts. The anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated using a xylene-induced ear-swelling mouse model. Additionally, the spectrum-effect relationship between the relative areas of the 24 peaks and pharmacological activity was investigated using multivariate statistical analysis. The potential anti-inflammatory ingredients obtained from the screening (multivariate statistical analysis) will be validated for their anti-inflammatory effects and mechanisms utilizing a lipopolysaccharide-induced macrophage inflammation model. QJHTT ethanol extract 1 exhibited good anti-inflammatory activity. Peaks 11, 12, 13, 14, and 16, which were closely correlated with anti-inflammatory activity, were identified as meranzin, baicalin, baicalein, chrysin-7-O-β-D-glucuronide, and wogonoside, respectively. The anti-inflammatory activities of meranzin, baicalin, baicalein, and wogonoside were verified in vitro. These four bioactive components significantly inhibited the secretion of inflammatory factors in the lipopolysaccharide-stimulated macrophage cell line. This research successfully screened the QJHTT anti-inflammatory active ingredient group. Meranzin, baicalin, baicalein, chrysin-7-O-β-D-glucuronide, and wogonoside were predicted to be the anti-inflammatory active ingredient groups of QJHTT.

Highlights

Qing Jin Hua Tan Tang (QJHTT), a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) prescription (CMP), is widely used to treat phlegm heat cough syndrome, which is characterized by cough, pulmonary carbuncle, and pulmonary distension
All herbal materials of QJHTT were purchased from Kangmei Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (Pulin, China). e sources of the herbal materials used in QJHTT are shown in Table 1. e quality of herbal materials complied with the National 2015 Pharmacopeia standards. e raw materials were identified by Yisheng Li (Deputy Director of TCM, Pharmacy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Longgang ENT Hospital). e medicinal materials were stored at the Laboratory of Research on New Drugs of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Longgang ENT
The anti-inflammatory components of QJHTT were screened using gray relational analysis (GRA), partial least squares regression (PLSR), and redundancy analysis (RDA). e findings of this study revealed that multiple components exhibited anti-inflammatory activities

Summary

Introduction

Qing Jin Hua Tan Tang (QJHTT), a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) prescription (CMP), is widely used to treat phlegm heat cough syndrome, which is characterized by cough, pulmonary carbuncle, and pulmonary distension. Symptoms of phlegm heat cough syndrome correspond to those of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) [1]. Pharmacological studies have demonstrated the anti-inflammatory effects of QJHTT in patients with COPD can significantly alleviate acute airway inflammation [2]. Flavonoids in Scutellariae Radix exhibit anti-inflammatory activity in lipopolysaccharide- (LPS-) induced RAW 264.7 cells (macrophages) [3]. Isosteroid alkaloids isolated from Fritillariae Cirrhosae Bulbus exerted anti-inflammatory effects in RAW 264.7 cells by regulating MAPK phosphorylation [6]. In 2018, QJHTT was selected for the first batch of the “Classical Chinese Medicine Classical Directory,” as it exhibited potent pharmacological activities against COPD. The components contributing to the anti-inflammatory activity of QJHTT have not been elucidated

Methods

Results

Conclusion