Mass Fragmentation Analysis Research Articles

Visconata: A rare flavonol having long chain fatty acid from Dodonaea viscosa which inhibits Human neutrophil elastase (HNE)

Abstract A series of flavonoids were isolated from Dodonaea Viscosa and tested for inhibition of human neutrophil elastase (HNE), enzyme involved in inflammatory disorders. Isolated compounds were identified as a novel flavonol ( 1 ) along with eight known flavonoids ( 2 – 9 ). Novel flavonol, visconata ( 1 ) has a very rare skeleton having odd numbered long chain (C19) fatty acid, which was completely identified by mass fragmentation and 2D NMR analysis. All compounds ( 1 – 9 ) inhibited HNE in dose dependent manner with IC 50 s ranging between 2.4 and 150 μM. Visconata ( 1 ) emerged to be the most potent compound with 2.4 μM of IC 50 . In kinetic studies, compound ( 1 ) was observed to be reversible, noncompetitive inhibitor having K i = 1.8 μM, whereas other flavonoids ( 2 – 9 ) displayed mixed type inhibition.

Hydroxylation Metabolisms of Crassicauline A in Rats Under Toxic Dose.

Crassicauline A, a C19 diterpenoid alkaloid in Aconitum herbs, is an analgesic drug clinically used in China. The in vivo metabolism of crassicauline A is poorly understood, while potential bioactivation is anticipated via hydroxylation metabolism. This work, therefore, aimed to investigate the in vivo hydroxylation metabolism of crassicauline A in rats. Using a de novo developed and validated UPLC-MS/MS method, excretion studies in rats were carried out to investigate the recoveries of crassicauline A and its hydroxylated metabolites in urine and feces. Mass fragmentation analysis was used to identify the detected hydroxylated metabolites. In vitro metabolism assay in liver S9 fraction was employed to preliminarily investigate the inter-species difference of hydroxylation metabolism between rats and human. At a toxic dose of 100µg/kg, less than 10% and 5% of the administrated dose of crassicauline A were recovered in the urine and feces after single intravenous and oral administration, respectively. Trace of yunaconitine, a possible 3-hydroxylated metabolite of crassicauline A, was detected in urine samples, but not considered to be derived from the in vivo metabolism, because the recovered yunaconitine and crassicauline A was equivalent to their occurrences in the test article. Another hydroxylated metabolite was detected with much higher levels than yunaconitine. Based on chromatographic behaviors and fragmentation analysis, the hydroxylation site of this metabolite was tentatively identified at C-15 on the skeleton, which might have produced a toxic alkaloid known as deoxyjesaconitine. The in vivo observations were consistent with the preliminary in vitro results in liver S9 fraction, in which an inter-species difference was highlighted that rats demonstrated more hydroxylation than human did. This work disclosed that crassicauline A is elimilated in rats predominantly by metabolism under toxic dosage and the hydroxylation probably at C-15 might be a potential bioactivation pathway in both rats and human.

Cyclodimerization of immunosuppressive fragment of HLA-DR molecule. Design, synthesis and ESI-MS/MS analysis.

The nonapeptide fragment of the HLA-DR molecule, located in the exposed loop of the alpha-chain (164-172), having the VPRSGEVYT sequence, suppresses the immune response. Based on the three-dimensional structure of the HLA-DR superdimer, we designed a new cyclodimeric analog in which the two parallel peptide chains of VPRSGEVYT sequence are linked through their C-termini by spacer of (Gly5 )2 -Lys-NH2 and the N-termini are also linked by poly(ethylene glycol). The (VPRSGEVYTG5 )2 K-resin analog was synthesized using solid-phase peptide synthesis protocols. The cyclization was achieved by cross-linking the N-terminal positions of the dimeric peptide, attached to a MBHA resin, with alpha, omega-bis (acetic acid) poly(ethylene glycol), activated by esterification with pentafluorophenol. Our results demonstrate that the cyclodimerization of VPRSGEVYT results in enhanced immunosuppressive activity of the peptide. Mass spectrometry fragmentation analysis of the obtained cyclodimeric peptide is also presented. Copyright © 2016 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Typical ultraviolet spectra in combination with diagnostic mass fragmentation analysis for the rapid and comprehensive profiling of chlorogenic acids in the buds of Lonicera macranthoides.

A major challenge of profiling chlorogenic acids (CGA) in natural products is to effectively detect unknown or minor isomeric compounds. Here, we developed an effective strategy, typical ultraviolet (UV) spectra in combination with diagnostic mass fragmentation analysis based on HPLC-DAD-QTOF-MS/MS, to comprehensively profile CGA in the buds of Lonicera macranthoides. First, three CGA UV patterns were obtained by UV spectra screening. Second, 13 types of CGA classified by molecular weights were found by thorough analysis of CGA peaks using high-resolution MS. Third, selected ion monitoring (SIM) was carried out for each type of CGA to avoid overlooking of minor ones. Fourth, MS/MS spectra of each CGA were investigated. Then 70 CGA were identified by matching their UV spectra, accurate mass signals and fragmentation patterns with standards or previously reported compounds, including six caffeoylquinic acids (CQA), six diCQA, one triCQA, three caffeoylshikimic acids (CSA), six diCSA, one triCSA, three p-coumaroylquinic acids (pCoQA), four p-coumaroylcaffeoylquinic acids (pCoCQA), four feruloylquinic acids (FQA), five methyl caffeoylquinates (MCQ), three ethyl caffeoylquinates (ECQ), three dimethoxycinnamoylquinic acids (DQA), six caffeoylferuloylquinic acids (CFQA), six methyl dicaffeoylquinates (MdiCQ), four FQA glycosides (FQAG), six MCQ glycosides (MCQG), and three ethyl dicaffeoylquinates (EdiCQ). Forty-five of them were discovered from Lonicera species for the first time, and it is noted that CGA profiles were investigated for the first time in L. macranthoides. Results indicated that the developed method was a useful approach to explore unknown and minor isomeric compounds from complex natural products.

Ambient ionization mass spectrometry imaging of rohitukine, a chromone anti-cancer alkaloid, during seed development in Dysoxylum binectariferum Hook.f (Meliaceae)

Rohitukine, a chromone alkaloid, possesses anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer and immuno-modulatory properties. It has been reported from four species, belonging to the families, Meliaceae and Rubiaceae. Stem bark of Dysoxylum binectariferum (Meliaceae) accumulates the highest amount of rohitukine (3–7% by dry weight). In this study, we examine the spatial and temporal distribution of rohitukine and related compounds during various stages of seed development in D. binectariferum using desorption electrospray ionization mass spectrometry imaging (DESI MSI). Rohitukine (m/z 306.2) accumulation increased from early seed development to seed maturity stage. The spatial distribution of rohitukine was largely restricted to the cotyledonary tissue followed by the embryo and least in the seed coat. Besides rohitukine, rohitukine acetate (m/z 348.2) and glycosylated rohitukine (m/z 468.2) were also detected, both through mass fragmentation and exact mass analysis through Orbitrap mass spectrometry. These results indicate a dynamic pattern of chromane alkaloid accumulation through seed development in D. binectariferum.

Pterandric Acid – its Isolation, Synthesis and Stereochemistry

Some plant families have a specialized type of pollination system, with floral lipid rewards for pollinators, which is common. In neotropical Malpighiaceae species like Pterandra pyroidea, this specialized type of pollination system is apparently shifting from floral oils/lipids to pollen reward. Mass spectrometric analysis (GC/MS-EI) indicated that P. pyroidea floral oil has a unique chemical composition, i.e., few fatty acid constituents possessing acetoxy groups at positions 5 and 7, which is distinct from the other floral oils of sympatric Malpighiaceae species. The structure of the major floral oil constituent, a novel fatty acid, anti-5,7-diacetoxydocosanoic acid, was confirmed based on synthesis, mass fragmentation, and 1H and 13C NMR analyses; the compound is herein named pterandric acid.

O-Acetylation of glucuronoxylan in Arabidopsis thaliana wild type and its change in xylan biosynthesis mutants

O-Acetylglucuronoxylans (AcGX) in Arabidopsis thaliana carry acetyl residues on the 2-O and/or 3-O positions of the xylopyranosyl (Xylp) units, but the distribution of different O-acetylated Xylp units is partly unclear. We studied a possible correlation of xylan acetylation and the activities of different glycosyltransferases involved in xylan biosynthesis by analyzing the distribution of O-acetyl substituents on AcGX from Arabidopsis wild-type and mutants irx7, irx9-1, irx10, irx14 and gux1gux2. The relative contents of the Xylp structural units were determined with quantitative two-dimensional heteronuclear single quantum coherence nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. In the wild type, the degree of acetylation (DA) was 60%. Mono- and diacetylated Xylp units constituted 44 and 6% of the AcGX backbone, respectively; while (4-O-methyl)-glucopyranosyluronic acid (1 → 2)-linked Xylp units, most of which also carry 3-O-acetylation, represented 13%. The DA was decreased in irx7, irx9-1 and irx14 due to the decrease in monoacetylation (2-O and 3-O), indicating a relationship between acetylation and other AcGX biosynthetic processes. The possible interactions that could lead to such changes have been discussed. No change in DA was observed in irx10 and gux1gux2, but monoacetylation was nonetheless elevated in gux1gux2. This indicates that acetylation occurs after addition of GlcpA to the xylan backbone. Mass fragmentation analysis suggests that the prevalent acetylation pattern is the acetyl group added on every other Xylp unit.

New cyclic peptides with osteoblastic proliferative activity from Dianthus superbus

Two new cyclic peptides, dianthins G–H (1 and 2), together with the known dianthin E (3), were isolated from the traditional Chinese medicinal plant Dianthus superbus. The sequences of cyclic peptides 1 and 2 were elucidated as cyclo (-Gly1-Pro2-Leu3-Thr4-Leu5-Phe6-) and cyclo (-Gly1-Pro2-Val3-Thr4-Ile5-Phe6-), on the basis of ESI tandem mass fragmentation analysis, extensive 2D NMR methods and X-ray diffraction. The isolated three compounds all increase proliferation of MC3T3-E1 cells in vitro using MTT method.

Compatibility of atenolol with excipients: LC–MS/TOF characterization of degradation/interaction products, and mechanisms of their formation

A study was carried out to investigate compatibility of atenolol, a β 1 blocker, with a variety of pharmaceutical excipients. The binary mixtures (1:1) of atenolol with the excipients were stored for 1 month at 40 °C/75% RH. The samples were directly observed for the physical changes, and also analyzed by a validated HPLC method to determine the chemical changes. The study revealed that atenolol was incompatible with ascorbic acid, citric acid and butylated hydroxyanisole. The degradation/interaction products formed in these mixtures were characterized by high resolution mass spectrometric and fragmentation analyses, using a LC–MS/TOF system. The identity of characterized structures was justified through mechanistic explanations.

Two fast screening methods (GC-MS and TLC-ChEI assay) for rapid evaluation of potential anticholinesterasic indole alkaloids in complex mixtures

The pharmacotherapy for Alzheimer's disease (AD) includes the use of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (AChEI). Recent investigations for novel AD therapeutic agents from plants suggested that Tabernaemontana genus is a promising source of novel anticholinesterasic indole alkaloids. In this work two fast screening techniques were combined in order to easily identify novel cholinesterase inhibitors (ChEI). Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) of the less polar alkaloidic fractions obtained from the acid-base extraction of the stalk of T. laeta revealed thirteen monoindole alkaloids, four of them confirmed by co-injection with previously isolated alkaloids. The others were tentatively identified by mass fragmentation analysis. By gas chromatography with flame ionization detection (GC-FID) and using isatin as internal standard, affinisine and voachalotine were determined as major compounds. These fractions and fourteen previously isolated alkaloids, obtained from root bark of T. laeta and T. hystrix were investigated for acetyl (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) inhibitory activities by the modified Ellman's method in thin layer chromatography(TLC-ChEI). Results showed selective inhibition of the alkaloids heyneanine and Nb-methylvoachalotine for BuChE, and 19-epi-isovoacristine for AChE, whereas olivacine, affinisine, ibogamine, affinine, conodurine and hystrixnine inhibited both enzymes. In addition to confirming that monoterpenoid indole alkaloids can be novel therapeutic agents for AD, this is the first report of the ChEI activity of olivacine, a pyridocarbazole alkaloid.

Polypill for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases: Part 2. LC–MS/TOF characterization of interaction/degradation products of atenolol/lisinopril and aspirin, and mechanisms of formation thereof

A polypill for cardiovascular diseases (CVD) is under development. It is proposed to contain a combination of antithrombotic agent (aspirin), low-dose blood pressure lowering agents, i.e., angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (lisinopril), one among a β-blocker (atenolol) or diuretic (hydrochlorothiazide), and a statin (simvastatin/atorvastatin/pravatsatin, etc.). Due to the presence of multiple drugs in the same formulation, there is a strong likelihood of interaction among the drugs and/or their products. In a previous study, we observed formation of a number of interaction/degradation products from atenolol and lisinopril in the presence of aspirin. Accordingly, the purpose of this study was to characterize the resolved products using high resolution mass spectrometric and fragmentation analyses using a LC–MS/TOF system. Initially, studies were carried out on the drugs (atenolol, lisinopril and aspirin) to establish their complete fragmentation pattern. These studies were then extended to degraded samples to postulate the structures of interaction/degradation products. The characterized structures were justified through mechanistic explanations.

In Vitro Synthesis of Oleoylglycine by Cytochrome c Points to a Novel Pathway for the Production of Lipid Signaling Molecules

Long chain fatty acyl glycines represent a new class of signaling molecules whose biosynthetic pathway is unknown. Here we report that cytochrome c catalyzes the formation of oleoylglycine from oleoyl-CoA and glycine, in the presence of hydrogen peroxide. The identity of oleoylglycine product was confirmed by isotope labeling and fragmentation mass spectrometry. Synthesis of oleoylglycine by cytochrome c was dependent upon substrate concentration and time. Other heme-containing proteins, myoglobin and hemoglobin, did not catalyze oleoylglycine synthesis. The functional properties of the reaction closely resemble those observed for the ability of cytochrome c to mediate the synthesis of oleamide from oleoyl-CoA and ammonia, in the presence of hydrogen peroxide (Driscoll, W. J., Chaturvedi., S., and Mueller, G. P. (2007) J. Biol. Chem. 282). The ability of cytochrome c to catalyze the formation of oleoylglycine experimentally indicates the potential importance of cytochrome c as a novel mechanism for the generation of long chain fatty acyl glycine messengers in vivo.

Proteomics Characterization of Protein Adsorption onto Hemodialysis Membranes

Protein-adsorptive properties are a key feature of membranes used for hemodialysis treatment. Protein adsorption is vital to the biocompatibility of a membrane material and influences membrane's performance. The object of the present study is to investigate membrane biocompatibility by correlating the adsorbed proteome repertoire with structural feature of the membrane surfaces. Minidialyzers of identical structural characteristics composed of either cellulose diacetate or ethylenevinyl alcohol materials were employed to develop an ex vivo apparatus to investigate protein adsorption. Adsorbed proteins were eluted by a strong chaotropic buffer condition and investigated by 2-DE coupled to both MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry (MS) mass fingerprinting and fragmentation analysis on a nanoLC-MS/MS hybrid instrument. Membrane surface characterization included evaluation of roughness (atomic force microscopy), elemental chemical composition (X-ray-photoelectron-spectroscopy), and hydrophilicity (pulsed nuclear magnetic resonance). The present study identifies a number of different proteins as common or characteristic of filter material interaction, showing that proteomic techniques are a promising approach for the investigation of proteins surface-adsorbed onto hemodialysis membrane. Proteomic analysis enables the characterization of protein layers of unknown composition.

Longicalycinin A, a New Cytotoxic Cyclic Peptide from Dianthus superbus var. longicalycinus (Maxim.) Will.

AbstractFor Abstract see ChemInform Abstract in Full Text.

Longicalycinin A, a New Cytotoxic Cyclic Peptide from Dianthus superbus var. longicalycinus (MAXIM.) WILL.

A new cyclic peptide, longicalycinin A (1), and six known compounds, vaccaroside A, dianoside A, dianoside G, 3-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxy-phenyl)propionic acid methyl ester, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, and p-hydroxybenzaldehyde were isolated from the MeOH extract of Dianthus superbus var. longicalycinus. The amino acid sequences of 1 was elucidated as cyclo(Gly(1)-Phe(2)-Tyr(3)-Pro(4)-Phe(5)-) on the basis of ESI tandem mass fragmentation analysis, chemical evidence, and extensive 2D NMR methods. Furthermore, compound 1 showed cytotoxicity to Hep G2 cancer cell line.

New cytotoxic cyclic peptides and dianthramide from Dianthus superbus.

Four new cyclic peptides, dianthins C-F (1-4), and a new dianthramide, 4-methoxydianthramide B (5), were isolated from the MeOH extract of the traditional Chinese medicinal plant Dianthus superbus. The sequences of cyclic peptides 1-4 were elucidated as cyclo(Gly(1)-Pro(2)-Phe(3)-Tyr(4)-Val(5)-Ile(6)-), cyclo(Gly(1)-Ser(2)-Leu(3)-Pro(4)-Pro(5)-Ile(6)-Phe(7)-), cyclo(Gly(1)-Pro(2)-Ile(3)-Ser(4)-Phe(5)-Val(6)-), and cyclo(Gly(1)-Pro(2)-Phe(3)-Val(4)-Phe(5)-) on the basis of ESI tandem mass fragmentation analysis, chemical evidence, and extensive 2D NMR methods. The conformation of compound 1 was established as an alpha-helix by CD analysis. Furthermore, compounds 3 and 5 showed cytotoxicities toward the Hep G2 cancer cell line with IC(50) values of 2.37 and 4.08, respectively.

Structural analysis of lipid A from Escherichia coli O157:H7:K- using thin-layer chromatography and ion-trap mass spectrometry.

Rapid separation and structural identification of lipid A from Escherichia coli were performed using thin-layer chromatography (TLC) and mass spectrometry (MS). After the resolved spot of the lipid A had been scraped from TLC plate, the sample was re-extracted from the removed powder with chloroform-methanol (2 : 1, v/v) and analyzed by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) and electrospray ionization (ESI) ion-trap MS. For detailed structural characterization, multiple-stage mass analysis (MS(4)) of the major species in ESI-MS/MS provided important information about the series of fragment ions. The dominant fragment ions in each MS stage were produced from the loss of fatty acyl groups mainly driven by charge-remote processes, and this information about the fragment ions can be used to deduce the composition or the position of the fatty acid substituent in the lipid A. In contrast, MALDI-TOFMS indicated that fragmentation resulted from charge-driven processes. Molecular mass profiling and fragmentation analysis provides essential information for clarifying the detailed structure of the lipid A from E. coli O157:H7:K(-).

Structures of aureobasidins B to R.

Structures of 17 minor forms of aureobasidins (Abs), Abs B-R, were elucidated by mass fragmentation and amino acid analysis. The fragmentation patterns by FAB-MS spectroscopy of Abs A-E seemed to follow predictable rules, so we used the rules to elucidate the 13 other Abs. All Abs consisted of eight amino acids and one hydroxy acid.

A STRUCTURAL STUDY ON LIQUID CRYSTALS BY GC/MS AND NMR

Accurate and effective methods for analyzing liquid crystals extracted from commercial color display devices have been developed in this work. GC/MS and NMR analyses were applied for the purpose. The authors identified the structures of liquid crystals. It has been clarified that mass fragmentation analysis for GC/MS was especially useful.

Discovery of methoxyacetylcarbamide in the urine of normal adults and phenylketonuric children

In order to study metabolic distinctions in phenylketonuria, urinary metabolites in the form of trimethylsilyl derivatives have been characterized by high resolution gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. A previously unknown metabolite has been found in the urine of some untreated phenylketonuric infants between 2 and 5 yr of age. The metabolite was absent in healthy children of the same age. The metabolite appeared to be present in the urine of apparently healthy adults (25–32 yr old). The metabolite was identified as methoxyacetylcarbamide on the basis of mass fragmentation analysis and compared with synthetic methoxyacetylcarbamide. Their retention times and mass spectra coincided.