Chemical Profles And Metabolite Study Of Raw And Processed Cistanche Deserticola in Rats By UPLC-Q-TOF-MSE

Contact Email tina.xiang@wecistanche.com for more information

Abstract

Background: Chinese materia medica processing is a distinguished and unique pharmaceutical technique in Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM)used for reducing side effects, and increasing or even changing therapeutic efficacy of the raw herbs. Changes in the essential components induced by an optimized processing procedure are primarily responsible for the increased efficacy of the medicinal plants. The kidney-yang invigorating effect of rice wine-steamed Cistanche deserticola (C.deserticola) was stronger than raw C.deserticola (CD).

Methods: A comparison analysis was carried out using the UPLC-Q-TOF-MS' with the UNIFl informatics platform to determine the influence of processing. In vitro studies were performed for the characterization of constituents as well as metabolites in vivo. The chemical components were determined in CD and its processed products. The multivariate statistical analyses were conducted to evaluate variations between them while OPLS-DA was used for pairwise COmparison.

Results: The results of this study revealed considerable variations in phenylethanoid glycosides(PhGs) and iridoids after processing. A total of 97 compounds were detected in the extracts of CD and its processed product. PhGs having the 4-O-caffeoyl group in the 8-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl part, like acteoside, cistanoside C, campneoside Il, osmanthuside decreased after being processed, while PhGs with 6'-O-caffeoyl group in the 8-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl part, such as isoacetoside, isocistanoside C, isocampneoside l, isomartynoside increased, especially in the CD-NP group. The intensity of echinacoside and cistanoside B whose structure possesses 6'-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl moiety also increased. In in vivo study, 10 prototype components and 44 metabolites were detected in rat plasma, feces, and urine. The obtained results revealed that processing leads to the considerable variation in the chemical constituents of CD and affected the disposition of the compounds in vivo, and phase Ⅱ metabolic processes are the key cascades of each compound, and most of the metabolites are associated with echinacoside or acteoside.

Conclusions: This is the first global comparison research of raw and processed CD. These findings add to our understanding of the impact of CD processing and give important data for future efficacy investigations. 

Keywords: Cistanche deserticola, Processing, UPLC-Q-TOF-MS5, Chemical profiles, Metabolites in vivo

Introduction

Chinese materia medica (CMM) processing has demonstrated signifcant applicability in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) clinical practice, and it has been considered a viable treatment for several centuries. This is a unique pharmaceutical technology that has been derived from the theory of TCM. Following processing, signifcant differences in the appearance, chemical constituents, characteristics, and medicinal significance of all types of TCMs have been identified, leading to the assumption that processing could improve the efficacy or reduce the TCM’s toxic effects.

For hundreds of years, Cistanche deserticola (Rou Cong Rong in Chinese, CD) is commonly used in TCM clinical practice for supplementing the functions of the kidney. It also helps in the moisturizing of the intestine that leads to relaxing bowel [1]. Cistanche was firstly recorded in ShenNongBencaoJing. It is commonly found in arid and semi-arid habitats across Eurasia and North Africa, including Iran, China, India, and Mongolia [2]. Te processing of CD has been carried out by steaming with rice-wine under normal pressure, which is a preparation method documented in the Chinese pharmacopeia (Jiucongrong in Chinese, hereinafter called “CD-NP”). And CD steaming with rice-wine under high pressure is a more effective preparation method (hereinafter called “CD-HP”) [3, 4]. Several studies have been revealed that the pharmacological effects of CD are different from its processed products [5]. CD may tonify kidney-yang and relax bowel, while after being steamed by rice-wine, the effect of replenishing the kidney-yang would be strengthened. In our earlier study, it has been found that CD-NP could enhance tonifcation of the kidney and support yang, and relieve the effect of moistening intestines and defecating [6–8]. In clinical practice, processed products are the most commonly used form.

Up to date, several studies have analyzed the chemical components of CD, followed by isolation and identification of more than 100 compounds [9–11], such as phenylethanol glycosides (PhGs), iridoids, lignans, and oligosaccharides as its main chemical constituents. It has also been reported that there are many pharmacological activities of PhGs including immunomodulatory, neuroprotective, hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, etc.[12–14]. Iridoids possess anti-inflammatory activities [15, 16]. It has also been revealed by earlier studies that some chemical components showed variations during the processing [17–20]. Based on these reports, it can be assumed that post-processing, the variations in chemical composition lead to various pharmacological effects, which need to be further explored.

In the current study, a sensitive and effective method i.e., ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled with TOF-MSE (UPLC-Q-TOF-MSE) was performed for comparative analysis, and in-vitro studies were performed to qualitatively analyze the extracts of CD, CD-NP, and CD-HP for elucidating their chemical profiles. Generally, the exogenous chemicals with high exposure in target organs were regarded as effective components. Therefore, in rats, CD and its processed products were orally administered respectively, followed by their characterization. The existing study reveals a comparative study (both in vitro and in vivo) of raw and processed CD for the first time. The obtained results would expand our understanding regarding the effect of CD processing, which might be helpful for further studies.

Materials and methods

Materials

Standard compounds of ajugol(180120) and 2'-acetyl-acetoside(M0601AS) were provided by Chendu Pure Chem-Standard Co., Ltd (Chengdu, China). Cistanoside F(MUST-17022620), echinacoside (D1105AS), cistano-side A(M0906AS), and isoacteoside(M0106AS)were provided by Must company(Sichuan China);acteoside (O0618AS), salidroside(J0526AS), catalpol(S0728AS), geniposide(A0407AS),and geniposidic acid (MB6001-S)were acquired from Dalian Meilun Bio.Co.,Ltd(Dalian, China).8-epide oxyloganic acid (B31123)was obtained from Shanghai Yuanye Biological Technology Co., Ltd, China. Methanol and acetonitrile were of MS-grade and were obtained from Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany. Methanoic acid (CH, O,)of HPLCgrade was provided by Merck KGaA(Darmstadt, Germany). The water, used in the existing study was processed via the Milli-Q system (18.2 MQ, Millipore, Ma, USA). Rice wine was provided by Brand Tower Shaoxing Wine Co., Ltd.(Zhejiang, China).

Cistanch deserticola was collected from Neimenggu wangyedi cistanche Co.Ltd. The samples were identified by Prof. Yanjun Zhai (school of pharmacy, Liaoning University of TCM). The specimens were submitted to the Liaoning University of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Animals

Sprague–Dawley male rats (SPF grade) with 180–220 g of total body weight were provided by Liaoning Changsheng biotechnology Co. Ltd. (Laboratory Animal Resource Center of Liaoning Province, license number: SCXK-2015–0001). These rats were housed in a breeding room with well-maintained temperature, and humidity i.e.,20–26 ℃, 50–70% for one week. The rats were fed with usual lab food and water before experimentation. The animals fasted overnight, however, the water ad libitum was provided before the experimentation. Te rats were executed with a 10% of chloral hydrate anesthetic. The Institutional Animal Ethics Committee of Liaoning Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine approved all of the experimental protocols (2019.3.25, 2019015).

Preparation of CD, CD‑NP, and CD‑HP extract

CD-NP, CD-HP were processed from the same batch of Cistanch deserticola. To prepare CD-NP, dry CD pieces (5 mm thick, 100 g) were moisturized with rice-wine (30 mL) and were steamed at 100 ℃ for 16 h., followed by drying at 55 ℃ via drying oven. While CD-HP was prepared via infiltration of dry CD pieces (5 mm thick, 100 g) with rice-wine (30 mL), followed by steaming at 1.25 atmospheric pressure for 4 h. and then dried in a drying oven at 55 ℃.

In a 100 ml measuring flask, one gram of the powder was sieved via sieve#4, followed by adding 50% of methanol (50 mL) and then tightly covered and mixed. This mixture was weighed, followed by half hrs. maceration. After maceration, the mixture was ultrasonicated (power 250 W, frequency 35 kHz) for 40 min, followed by cooling, and weighing again. The loss of the weight was replenished with 50% methanol, properly mixed, and allowed to stand, followed by filtering the supernatant and then using the obtained filtrate as the test solution.

MSE analysis of active components

Preparation of standard substances: tubuloside-A (3.02 mg), echinacoside (3.00 mg), 2’-acetylacteoside (2.34 mg), acteoside (2.45 mg), isoacteoside (0.61 mg), cistanoside-F (2.14 mg), salidroside (3.39 mg), geniposide (2.84 mg), ajugol (1.58 mg), catalpol (2.39 mg), geniposidic acid (2.56 mg), and 8-epideoxyloganic acid (2.34 mg) were added into a 10 mL volumetric fask, added methanol constant volume to scale, confgured into a corresponding concentration reference solution. Each of the 100 μL was confgured into a mixed reference solution.

MS analysis condition: Te mass value was corrected before the experiment, and the negative ion mode was used. The range of mass was 50–1200 Da, and the sample was injected through a flow injection pump. The cone velocity was 100 L/hrs, the dissolvent flow rate was set at 800 L/h. The capillary and cone voltages were fixed at 2500 and 40 V, accordingly. The temperature of the ion source and dissolvent gas was 100 ℃ and 400 ℃ respectively, and signal acquisition frequency was 0.5 S−1。

UPLC-Q-TOF-MS analysis of CD extract(15–16 min), 65% to 55% A (16–18 min). The flow rate was 0.3 mL min−1, while the temperature of the autosampler room and column was 30 ℃ and 8 ℃ separately. The injection volume was 1.0 μL.

Te mass spectrometric evaluation was carried out via Waters XEVO G2-XS QTOF MS (Waters Corporation, Milford, MA, USA), comprising an ESI source. The flow rate of nitrogen gas was fixed at 800 L·hrs−1 with a temp of 400 ℃, the source temp was fixed at 100 ℃, and the cone gas was set at 50 L h−1. The voltage of cone and capillary was adjusted at 40 and 2000 V, accordingly. The collision energy of the ramp was used in the range of 20–30 V. Te centroided data of all samples were obtained from 50 to 1200 Da, with a 5-scan time of 0.5 s over an analysis time of 10 min. LockSpray TM was employed for the validation of the mass precision. Te [M–H]− ion of leucine enkephalin (200 pg·μL−1 infusion flow rate 10 μL min−1) at m/z 554.2615 was used as the lock mass. Te MassLynx V4.1 software (Waters Co., Milford, USA) was employed for the accurate mass, the composition of the precursor ions, and the fragment ions calculation.

Data analysis in Masslynx platform

Furthermore, an in-house library comprising the name of the compound, its structure, and the molecular formula (in mol.)was set up based on literature. All the compounds were noted in a special template, made in Excel. In addition, the mol files(Chemdraw Ultra 8.0, Cam-bridge soft, USA) and the Excel files of all the individual compound structures were also saved on the local PC. The established Excel sheet having important data was directly imported into the scientific library in UNIFI

UNIFI 1.8.2, Waters, Manchester, UK was employed for the evaluation of structural characteristics, particularly for the characteristic fragments and MS fragmentation. A minimum peak area of 500 was set for the 2D peak detection. During revealing 3D peaks, a low energy peak intensity of more than 300 counts and elevated energy peak intensity of more than 80 counts were chosen. The error of mass was found to be up to±10 ppm for known compounds, and the retention time tolerance was set in the range of±0.1 min. We selected the negative adducts containing -H,+HCOOH. The processing of the raw data obtained from MS was carried out via streamlined UNIFI software to rapidly pinpoint the chemical components that met the standards with the self-built database and the in-house Traditional Medicine Library.

Next, to verify the chemical structure of each target compound, the isomers were distinguished by their characteristic MS fragmentation patterns which were revealed in the reported studies, and by comparing the retention times of reference standards.

Metabolomics analysis based on multivariate statistical analysis

Before processing the raw data, the parameters were set, such as mass ranging from 150 to 1200 Da, range of retention time (0 to 20 min), threshold intensity (2000 counts), mass tolerance i.e.,5 MDA, while mass and retention time window was 0.20 min and 0.05 Da, respectively. In the subsequent list of the database, the identifier of ions was the RT-m/ pairs with respect to their elution times. The same values for RT and m/z in various batches of samples were considered as the same compound.

Multivariate statistical analysis was conducted to evaluate effective biomarkers that considerably contributed to variations among different groups. During the analysis, principal component analysis (PCA)was employed to indicate the maximum differences and pattern recognition for obtaining an overview and classification. The OPLS-DA is a modeling tool that provides visualization of the OPLS-DA predictive component loading to assist model evaluation. Variable importance for the projection (VIP)was used for assessing the evaluation of various components, and the metabolites with VIP values>1.0 and P-value<0.05 were regarded as effective markers. Furthermore, a permutation test was conducted for providing reference distributions for the R²/O²values that could show the statistical significance.

Animal experiments rats were randomly categorized into four groups (n=6 for each group), followed by the oral administration of various extracts: (1) Blank control group: the rats were given normal saline (2 mL/100 g); (2) CD group: the rats were given CD extract (2 mL/100 g); (3) CD-NP group: the rats were given CD-NP extract (2 mL/100 g); (4) CD-HP group: the rats were given CD-HP extract (2 mL/100 g). Te further categorization of all groups was carried out into three sub-groups for plasma, urine, and feces, accordingly. Two hours later, each rat was orally administered with the same and equal amount of extracts.

Post administration, the collection of blood samples was carried out at 1.0 h, 2.0 h, and 4.0 h in heparinized 1.5 mL polythene tubes (from orbital veins), followed by centrifugation (at 4500 rpm) of all samples for 15 min.

For urine and feces samples, the rats were held in metabolism cages, and then the collection of urine and feces samples was carried out for 24 h after administration. The centrifugation of urine samples was carried out at 4500 rpm for 15 min, while feces samples were dried in the shade, ground into powder, then 0.2 g was taken, and added into 0.5 mL saline solution, ultrasound for 5 min, and centrifuged at 12,000 rpm for 15 min. All the biosamples were kept at −80 ℃ until analysis.

Preparation of biological samples. The addition of plasma, urine, and feces samples was carried out with 3 volumes of methanol, followed by vortexing for 3 min. Next, the centrifugation (at 12,000 rpm) of the mixtures was carried out for 10 min, followed by transferring supernatant into the EP tube, and then dried by nitrogen at 37 ℃. Furthermore, the addition of 200 μL of HCN–H2O (50%) solution was carried out. Ten, the vortex was used for mixing (1 min), followed by centrifugation (at 12,000 rpm) for 5 min. The supernatant (5 μL) of the treated samples was injected into the UPLC-Q-TOF-MSE system.

Liquid chromatographic and mass spectrometric condition The analysis for metabolites was also performed by the Waters UPLC instrument through an ESI interface. Separations were carried out using an Acquity UPLC HSS T3 column (100 mm×2.1 mm, 1.8 µm), the mobile phase was 0.1% formic acid (A): Acetonitrile (B), the gradient elution condition was 0-3 min (99.8%→98%A).3-5 min(98%→95% A),5-8 min(95%→90% A), 8-12 min (90%→85% A),12-17 min(85%→70% A), 17-22 min (70%→60% A), 22-23 min(60%→58% A), 23-25 min (58% A),25-32 min(58%→45% A), and 32-37 min (45%→35% A),0.4 mL min-1 was the flow rate. The temperature for the column and sample room was set at 40 ℃ and 8℃ respectively. The mass spectrometry conditions mentioned above were used.

Strategy for systematic analysis of metabolites in bio‑samplesUNIFI (1.8.2) software was employed for data processing. The Binary Compare function was used for the identification of effective metabolites. Evaluated metabolites were not existing in the equivalent control sample or exist at low ion intensities. The relative intensity threshold was set at 3 or 5, and metabolites that fulfilled the underlined criteria could be evaluated. Common and predictable metabolites were then determined by EIC. For searching of two-phase metabolites, the NLF function was applied. For example, in the UNIFI software, the parameters could be set at 176.0321 for searching for possible glucuronic acid conjugates. Post-processing, a neutral loss can be set in the method or identified. MassFragment was used for determining or characterization of detected metabolites’ structures, UNIFI’s spectral interpretation function is the main function used to analyze secondary fragmentation of parent components. This function can be used for rapid verification of the fragmentation path whether reasonable.

Results

Mass fragmentation rule of phenylethanoid glycosides and iridoids

Phenylethanoid glycosides are the main chemical constituents of CD. The standard solutions of isoacteoside,

cistanoside F, tubuloside A, echinacoside, acteoside, and 2’-acetyl-acteoside were taken, followed by providing a different level of collision energies (Table 1), and then corresponding MS2 maps were obtained (Fig. 1).

The mass spectrometric analysis revealed that phenylethanoid glycosides have similar mass spectrum fragmentation patterns, the cleavage pathways in the negative-ion mode mainly include (1)Ester bond cleavage: loss of neutral caffeoyl group(C, H, O162.03) and neutral acetyl group (C, H, O,42.00);(2) Glycosidic cleavage: loss of neutral rhamnose residues(C。HIO, 146.05)and neutral glucose residue (CgHO,162.05). From high-resolution mass spectrometry, caffeoyl(162.03) and glucose residue (162.05)could be distinguished.

Iridoids ajugol, catalpol, geniposidic acid, geniposide, and 8-epide oxyloganic acid standard solutions were taken, followed by providing different collision energies, and corresponding MS'maps were obtained (Fig. 2).

Iridoid glycosides have similar mass spectrum fragmentation patterns, the cleavage pathways in the negative-ion mode mainly include (1)Glycosidic cleavage: Loss of neutral glucose residue(CHoO,162.05);(2)Loss of neutral CO,(43.99)and H, O(18.01).

Identification of the compounds in CD, CD-NP, and CD-HP extracts

UPLC-QTOF-MSE analysis

The optimization of chromatographic conditions was carried out. Next, the compounds of CistancheHerba were evaluated in both negative and positive ion modes with high as well as low CEs. The obtained results revealed that the compatibility of the negative mode was higher relative to the positive mode for these compounds. Figure 3 showed MS basic peak ion (BPI) chromato-gram traced with numbered peaks. The intensity of each detected ion in UPLC-Q-TOF-MS' analysis was normalized with respect to the whole ion count for the generation of a data matrix which comprised of m/z value, the normalized peak area, and retention time.

The evaluation of components from CD and its processed products on the UNIFl platform

A total of 97 compounds were identified with -SEM (n=6) mode from CD and its processed product (Table 2), including phenylethanoid glycosides (PhGs), iridoids, lignans, and oligosaccharides. The 95,91, and 94 components were detected in CD, CD-NP, and CD-HP accordingly. Among them, 64 were phenylethanoids, 13 were iridoids, and 20 other kinds of compounds were determined. There was a similarity in the chemical composition of CD and its processed product, however, the quantity of the components was found to be different among CD and its processed product.

Variations in chemical components of processed products The Simca-P 13.0 software was employed for analyzing the multivariate data matrix. Before PCA, all variables were mean-centered and Pareto-scaled, followed by identification of potential discriminant variables. In a PCA score plot, every point showed an individual sample. Samples that showed similarity in their chemical components were scattered adjacent to each other, while those which showed variations in their components were divided. As seen in PCA(Fig.4), the group of CD-HP was separated from the groups of CD and CD-NP.

To distinguish CD from CD-HP and CD-NP, OPLS-DA, permutation test, S-plot, and VIP value were developed. (Figs.5, 6,7)The obtained results revealed that many components were key characteristic components of each product. The screening condition was the VIP>1 and P<0.05. From the date of the S-plot, the characteristic components were evaluated, which were commonly existing in the three groups.

From Fig.8, we found the intensity of acteoside(54), cistanoside C(74), campneoside I(43), osmanthuside (75), and 2'-actylacteoside(80)having the 4'-O-caffeoyl group in the 8-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl part(see Fig. 9)decreased after being processed by rice-wine, while the intensity of isoacetoside(60), is castanoside (71),iso-campneoside I (69),isomartynoside (86) having the 6'-O-caffeoyl group (see Fig. 9)increased, especially for the CD-NP group. Though tubuloside B (72) has a 6'-O-caffeoyl group, the same as isoacteoside, the intensity decreased because of its 2'-acetyl group. The intensity of echinacoside(38) and cistanoside B having 6'-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl moiety groups increased, but the intensity of tubuloside A (55)decreased also because of its 2'-acetyl group.

Our research team also studied the thermal stability of acteoside and isoacteoside and found that acteo-side was unstable in water, methanol, and yellow rice wine solution, and could be converted into isoacteoside partly under heating conditions. But the thermostability of isoacteoside was better, especially in yellow rice wine solution. Figure 10 showed the possible changes of PhGs in CD during processing:

Identification of the metabolites in rats From high-resolution mass spectrometry data, the accurate molecular weight and elemental composition for metabolites and proto molecule compounds were analyzed and compared. As the same kinds of compounds in TCM showed similarity in metabolic modifications, the correlations of phytochemical constituents in vitro can extend to their metabolites in vivo. Meanwhile, based on conventional biotransformation pathways, a reasonable change of molecular weight was inferred. Finally, the metabolites were identified by analyzing the MSE mass spectra of the metabolites and proto-compounds fragmentation pathway in the mass spectrum [21, 22]. Compared with the blank sample, its components were identified in vivo based on the information provided by chromatogram-mass spectrum, the possibility of a metabolic reaction, the characteristics of the compound structure, and the fragmentation rule of its mass spectrum. See Table 3.

Identification of phenylethanol glycosides related metabolites

UNIFI platform was used for processing. Figure 11 showed the TIC chromatograph of urine, feces, and plasma for CD and its processed products. Compared with blank samples, a total of 54 metabolites were identified in rats, including 10 prototype components and 44 metabolites, in which 24, 49, and 6 were in feces, urine, and plasma, accordingly.

Based on accurate mass, fragmentation cascade, and predictable neutral losses by biotransformation, a total of 35 phenylethanoid glycosides-associated metabolites were tentatively evaluated. The related metabolites of phenylethanoid glycosides have similar mass spectrum fragmentation patterns, like the typical decaffeoyl fragment m/z 461.1605, then further hydrolyzed by glycosidic and ester bonds in vivo, and metabolized into hydroxytyrosol (HT)(m/z153.0504, C。HO。4.73 min) and caffeic acid(CA)(m/z179.0389, C。H, O0.77 min), see Fig.12A.

M11indicated [M-H]~at m/ 153.0504 with formula i.e.,C。HO, and identified as HT. M16 presented [M-H]- at m/z 329.0851, which was 176 Da elevated than that of HT, revealing that it might be a glucuronidated metabolite of HT. The [M-H]-of M26 was at m/z 343.1037,14 Da higher than that of HT-glucuronide. Therefore, M26 was identified as HT-methylated glucuronide. M17 was identified as HT-sulfate based on its [M-H]～at m/z 233.0112,80 Da over the HT, which could be further methylated, then produced M22, which showed the m/z 247.0278, indicating that it was HT-methylated sulfated metabolite. M7 (m/167.0335)and M5(m/z 167.0762)were considered as oxidation products and methylated HT, respectively(Fig.12B).

M1 indicated [M-H]- at m/z 179.0389, elucidated molecular formula was CH-O and identified as caffeic acid(CA).M25 revealed [M-H]- at m/ 355.0704, which were 176 Da elevated than that of CA, shows that it might be a glucuronidated metabolite of CA. M27 had m/z 258.994, which was 80 Da higher than that of CA, so we elucidated it as CA sulfate, and it could produce M35(m/z 273.0064). As M4 gives the [M-H]7 at m/z 193.0524,14 Da higher than CA, it was identified as CA methylated metabolite. M39 was CA dehydroxylation metabolite, with m/z 163.04, and it could be sulfated into M32 (m/z 242.9951).

M33(m/z 181.0491, C。HO,9.06 min) was the reduction product of CA, that is 3,4-dihydroxy-benzenepropionic acid, which could be methylated into M19 (m/z 195.0623, C10H12O4, 0.93 min). M33 could be dehydrated into M43, that is 3-HPP (m/z 165.0558, C9H10O3, 11.29 min), and M31 (m/z 341.0942, C15H17O9, 8.90 min) and M29 (m/z 245.0125, C9H10O6S, 8.52 min) were the glucuronidated and sulfated products (Fig. 12C).

For the phenylethanoid glycosides-associated metabolites, the key metabolic cascades were phase II metabolic reactions, i.e., glucuronidation, methylation, and sulfation. The proposed metabolic cascades of phenylethanoids are depicted in Fig. 13.

Identification of iridoids related metabolites

By analyzing the elemental composition of the metabolites, MSE fragmentation, and associated literature, a total of 19 iridoid-associated metabolites were tentatively evaluated. Iridoid glycosides were hydrolyzed by glycosidic bonds to form their corresponding aglycones. The m/z 185.117 was for M8, 162 Da less than ajugol, which was yielded by the loss of glucose residue.

M40(m/z 199.0641, Rt 10.91 min) was the deglycosylated product of catalpol. M45 m/z 169.0487, Rt 12.15 min) was less than 30 Da that of catalpol deglycosylated metabolite, and was identified as removal of a molecule of CH, O metabolite. M34(m/z 151.0352, Rt 9.08 min), was further loss of H, O metabolite.

M44(m/z 211.0665, Rt 11.31 min) was a deglycosylated metabolite of geniposide, and M37(m/z 197.0833, Rt 15.03 min) was deglycosylation of 8-epideoxyloganic acid. Metabolic reactions for iridoids could be revealed as phase I metabolism of deglycosylation (Fig. 12D).

Comparison of metabolic profiling in plasma, urine, and feces between CD and its processed products

2 prototypes in plasma, 7 in urine, and 3 in feces were compared. There were 7 prototypes absorbed in CD,7 prototypes absorbed in CD-NP, and 8 prototypes in CD-HP. M21 was only detected in the feces group of CD-NP, and M38 and M51 were detected just in urine groups of CD-HP. Compared with metabolites, identical metabolites in plasma, urine, and feces were 4, 42, and 21, respectively. There were 34 metabolites absorbed in the CD group,39 in CD-NP, and 40 in the CD-HP group. M5, M7, M40, and M52 were only detected in CD-NP groups, while M24, M4l, and M48 were just detected in CD-HP groups.

Variations were observed in the absorption as well as the metabolism of active compounds in diverse processed products of CD. From Fig.14, we found that the intensity of HT-sulfate conjugation (M17) was the highest in the urine, followed by 3-HPP sulfate conjugation (M29), methylated HT sulfate conjugation(M22), dehydroxylated CA sulfate conjugation(M32), and 3,4-dihydroxy benzene propionic acid sulfate conjugation (M19). The content of metabolic products in the processed group was higher than in the CD group, especially for M22, M29, M27, M16, M19, M1, M2. Their precursor 6'-O-caffeoyl group in the 8-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl part, compounds, such as hydroxytyrosol have anti-tumor, s anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal properties [23]. Caffeic acid possesses anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and antiviral activities [24]. It was consistent with the clinical use of CD and its processed products.

Discussion

CD is a TCM, and its major bioactive components, including PhGs, iridoids, polysaccharides have been documented by various research studies. In TCM clinical practice, the processed products of CD have been widely used relative to raw ones. The chemical composition will be changed during the processing, which may lead to changes in the medicinal effects(Fig. 14).

PhGs are a type of phenolic compound characterized by a β-glucopyranoside structure bearing a hydroxy-phenylethyl moiety as the aglycone. These compounds often comprise caffeic acid and rhamnose attached to the glucose residue through ester or glycosidic linkages respectively. In the current study, the qualitative analyses of CD, CD-NP. and CD-HP were carried out, and a total of 97 compounds, including phenylethanoid glycosides (PhGs), iridoids, etc. were identified. The obtained results showed variations in chemical composition before and after processing. The intensity of PhGs having the 4'-O-caffeoyl group in the 8-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl part, like acteoside, cistanoside C, campneoside II, osmanthus-side decreased after being processed, while PhGs with

such as isoacetoside, isocistanoside, isocampneoside I, isomartynoside increased, especially in the CD-NP group. The intensity of echinacoside and cistanoside B whose structure possesses 6'-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl moiety also increased. PhGs having a 2'-acetyl group often decreased because of hydrolysis reaction during the process, like tubuloside B, 2-acetylacteoside.

Investigation of metabolites absorbed in vivo was carried out after oral administration of CD and its processed products. The metabolic processes of phase II were the key cascades and most of the metabolites were sulfate, glucuronide, and methylated conjugates. Phenylethanol glycosides have low oral absorption and utilization. They are difficult to be absorbed into the blood and act as progenitors to play their roles after metabolic activation in vivo. Phenylethanoids produced into phenyletha-nolaglycone, like hydroxytyrosol (HT)and caffeic acid (CA)and its derivative 3-hydroxyphenylpropionic acid (3-HPP), these metabolites may be more easily absorbed into the plasma and have a better medicinal effect.

CD and its processed products. HT-sulfate conjugation (M17) has the highest intensity in the urine, followed by 3-HPP sulfate conjugation (M29), methylated HT sulfate conjugation (M22), dehydroxylated CA sulfate conjugation (M32), and 3,4-dihydroxy benzenepropionic acid sulfate conjugation (M19). The content of metabolic products in the processed group was higher than in the CD group, especially for M22, M29, M27, M16, M19, M1, M2.

Generally, the components having high exposure in target organs could be effective. A sufficient amount of phenylethanoids and their derivatives have been evaluated and determined in vitro. Acteoside is the characteristic compound, whose content decreased after being processed by rice-wine, and the content of isoacteoside, isocistanoside C, isocampneoside I increased correspondingly. The degradation products of PhGs, like CA and HT derivatives, could be evaluated in the bio-samples, and rice-wine processing can enhance the absorption of metabolites in vivo.

Conclusion

In this study, 97 compounds were detected in the extracts of CD and its processed product. The degradation of a few glycosides occurred under an elevated temperature and as a result, some new isomers and complexes were synthesized. In in vivo study, prototype components (10) and metabolites (44) were determined or tentatively evaluated in rat plasma, feces, and urine. Phase II metabolic processes were the key cascades, most of the metabolites were associated with echinacoside or acteoside, like HT, CA and their derivatives 3-hydroxyphenylpropionic acid 3-HPP. These metabolites may be more easily absorbed into the plasma and have a better medicinal effect. The obtained results showed that the chemical composition of CD was different and affected the disposition of the compound in vitro and in vivo.

Abbreviations

PhGs: Phenylethanoid glycosides; CD: Cistanche deserticola; CMM: Chinese Materia Medica; TCM: Traditional Chinese Medicine; CD-NP: Gistanche deserticola Processed by steaming with rice-wine under normal pressure; CD-HP: Cistanche deserticola Processed by steaming with rice-wine under high pressure; UPLC-Q-TOF-MS: Ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled with TOF-MS; PCA: Principal component analysis; VIP: Variable importance for the projection;CA: Caffeicacid; HA: Hydroxytyrosol.

Acknowledgments

Not applicable.

Authors' contributions

LZ, LBN, SJ participated in drafting, writing the manuscript. RJ, LPP assisted with the animal experiments and drafted and finalized all figures and tables. ZC, HY. ITZ assisted with the design and performance of this study and reviewed the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Funding

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No:81874345) and the Natural Science Foundation of Liaoning Province (Grant No: 2020-MS-223).

Availability of data and materials

The datasets used and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

Declarations

Ethics approval and consent to participate

Ethical approval for using experimental animals for this study had been obtained from the Medical Ethics Committee of Liaoning University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (Approval number: 2018YS(DW)-044-01), All experimental procedures in this study were under ethical standards of the medical Ethics Committee of Liaoning University of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Consent for publication

Not applicable.

Competing interests

The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest to disclose.

Author Details

'Pharmaceutic Department, Liaoning University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Dalian, Liaoning, China.'Drug Research Institute of Monos Group, Ulaanbaatar 14250, Mongolia.

Received:31 May 2021 Accepted:17 September 2021 Published online: 28 September 2021

Zhe Li1, Lkhaasuren Ryenchindorj2, Bonan Liu1, Ji Shi1* , Chao Zhang1, Yue Hua1, Pengpeng Liu1, Guoshun Shan1 and Tianzhu Jia1

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