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Chromatographic Screening of Natural Products

A special issue of Molecules (ISSN 1420-3049). This special issue belongs to the section "Natural Products Chemistry".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (29 February 2024) | Viewed by 17838

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Department of Chromatography, Faculty of Chemistry, University of M. Curie-Skłodowska, M. Curie-Skłodowska Sq. 3, 20-031 Lublin, Poland
Interests: HPLC; GC; TLC; TLC-direct bioautography; effect directed analysis; plant bioactive components; food contamination

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Guest Editor Assistant
Department of Bioanalytics, Faculty of Biomedicine, Medical University of Lublin, 20-090 Lublin, Poland
Interests: LC-MS; lipidomics; TLC-direct bioautography; effect directed analysis; plant metabolites

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Chromatography, mostly high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and gas chromatography (GC), is one of the most powerful techniques in natural product investigation. Mainly, it is used for qualitative and quantitative analysis of target compounds. However, no less important is chromatographic screening, which is a fast method of semi-quantitative data acquisition concerning all components of a given sample. TLC and its high performance version, i.e., HPTLC, is competitive with HPLC in screening analysis, which in case of (HP)TLC can be done for many samples in parallel and with lower costs. Chromatographic profiling can be done based on chemical, biological and physicochemical/spectroscopic properties of sample components. However, the most important are pharmacological properties of natural products, in particular correlation of bioactivity of their constituents with structural information. Biological and/or chemical fingerprints are chromatographic patterns of biologically active and/or chemically characteristic constituents present in the sample. HPLC and (HP)TLC hyphenated with bioassays belong to so-called effect directed analysis (EDA).

All the above-mentioned issues related to chromatographic screening will be the subject of the proposed Special Issue.

Prof. Dr. Irena Maria Choma
Guest Editor

Dr. Hanna Nikolaichuk
Guest Editor Assistant

Manuscript Submission Information

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Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • chromatographic screening
  • chemical profiling
  • bio-profiling
  • fingerprints
  • bioassays
  • TLC-direct bioautography
  • effect directed detection
  • effect directed analysis

Published Papers (8 papers)

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Research

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14 pages, 685 KiB  
Article
Simultaneous Quantification of Nine Target Compounds in Traditional Korean Medicine, Bopyeo-Tang, Using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography–Photodiode Array Detector and Ultra-Performance Liquid Chromatography–Tandem Mass Spectrometry
by Chang-Seob Seo
Molecules 2024, 29(5), 1171; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29051171 - 06 Mar 2024
Viewed by 500
Abstract
Bopyeo-tang (BPT) is composed of six medicinal herbs (Morus alba L., Rehmannia glutinosa (Gaertn.) DC., Panax ginseng C.A.Mey., Aster tataricus L.f., Astragalus propinquus Schischkin, and Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.) Baill.) and has been used for the treatment of lung diseases. This study focused [...] Read more.
Bopyeo-tang (BPT) is composed of six medicinal herbs (Morus alba L., Rehmannia glutinosa (Gaertn.) DC., Panax ginseng C.A.Mey., Aster tataricus L.f., Astragalus propinquus Schischkin, and Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.) Baill.) and has been used for the treatment of lung diseases. This study focused on establishing an analytical method that can simultaneously quantify nine target compounds (i.e., hydroxymethylfurfural, mulberroside A, chlorogenic acid, calycosin-7-O-glucoside, 3,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid, quercetin, kaempferol, schizandrin, and gomisin A) from a BPT sample using high-performance liquid chromatography with a photodiode array detector (HPLC–PDA) and ultra-performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC–MS/MS). The separation of compounds in both analyses was performed on a C18 reversed-phase column using the gradient elution of water–acetonitrile as the mobile phase. In particular, the multiple reaction monitoring mode was applied for quick and accurate detection in UPLC–MS/MS analysis. As a result of analyzing the two methods, HPLC–PDA and UPLC–MS/MS, the coefficient of determination of the regression equation for each compound was ≥0.9952, and recovery was 85.99−106.40% (relative standard deviation (RSD) < 9.58%). Precision testing of the nine compounds was verified (RSD < 10.0%). The application of these analytical assays under optimized conditions for quantitative analysis of the BPT sample gave 0.01–4.70 mg/g. Therefore, these two assays could be used successfully to gather basic data for clinical research and the quality control of BPT. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Chromatographic Screening of Natural Products)
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16 pages, 1316 KiB  
Article
LC-MS/MS Evaluation of Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids Profile in Relation to Safety of Comfrey Roots and Leaves from Polish Sources
by Katarzyna Kimel, Sylwia Godlewska, Michał Gleńsk, Katarzyna Gobis, Justyna Ośko, Małgorzata Grembecka and Mirosława Krauze-Baranowska
Molecules 2023, 28(16), 6171; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28166171 - 21 Aug 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 964
Abstract
Comfrey (Symphytum officinale L.) has a long tradition of use in the treatment of musculoskeletal disorders. However, due to hepatotoxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs), the EMA restricts the use of comfrey root (CR) to external use only and for short periods of time. [...] Read more.
Comfrey (Symphytum officinale L.) has a long tradition of use in the treatment of musculoskeletal disorders. However, due to hepatotoxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs), the EMA restricts the use of comfrey root (CR) to external use only and for short periods of time. Recent studies indicate a low permeability of PAs across the skin, calling into question the safety of topical application of products containing comfrey preparations. The aim of our work was to develop and validate an HPLC method enabling the separation of isomeric PAs from comfrey and, on this basis, to assess the potential toxicity of CR and comfrey leaf (CL) obtained from various Polish sources. The qualitative and quantitative analysis of PAs via HPLC-MS/MS was performed in MRM mode. The results obtained confirmed a lower content of PAs in CL than in CR and showed a wide variation in the composition of PAs in CR, with a much more stable profile of PAs in CL. Factor analysis confirmed that CRs and CLs differ in PA content, which is influenced by the growth conditions and geographical origin. The determined concentrations of PAs prove that in some CRs available on the Polish herbal market, the content of PAs may exceed the daily dose considered safe. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Chromatographic Screening of Natural Products)
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13 pages, 2114 KiB  
Article
Antimicrobial Diterpenes from Rough Goldenrod (Solidago rugosa Mill.)
by Márton Baglyas, Péter G. Ott, Ildikó Schwarczinger, Judit Kolozsváriné Nagy, András Darcsi, József Bakonyi and Ágnes M. Móricz
Molecules 2023, 28(9), 3790; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28093790 - 28 Apr 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1245
Abstract
Solidago rugosa is one of the goldenrod species native to North America but has sporadically naturalized as an alien plant in Europe. The investigation of the root and leaf ethanol extracts of the plant using a bioassay-guided process with an anti-Bacillus assay [...] Read more.
Solidago rugosa is one of the goldenrod species native to North America but has sporadically naturalized as an alien plant in Europe. The investigation of the root and leaf ethanol extracts of the plant using a bioassay-guided process with an anti-Bacillus assay resulted in the isolation of two antimicrobial components. Structure elucidation was performed based on high-resolution tandem mass spectrometric and one- and two-dimensional NMR spectroscopic analyses that revealed (–)-hardwickiic acid (Compound 1) and (–)-abietic acid (Compound 2). The isolates were evaluated for their antimicrobial properties against several plant pathogenic bacterial and fungal strains. Both compounds demonstrated an antibacterial effect, especially against Gram-positive bacterial strains (Bacillus spizizenii, Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. michiganensis, and Curtobacterium flaccumfaciens pv. flaccumfaciens) with half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) between 1 and 5.1 µg/mL (5–20 times higher than that of the positive control gentamicin). In the used concentrations, minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) was reached only against the non-pathogen B. spizizenii. Besides their activity against Fusarium avenaceum, the highest antifungal activity was observed for Compound 1 against Bipolaris sorokiniana with an IC50 of 3.8 µg/mL. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Chromatographic Screening of Natural Products)
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16 pages, 2662 KiB  
Article
Effect-Directed Profiling of Akebia quinata and Clitoria ternatea via High-Performance Thin-Layer Chromatography, Planar Assays and High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry
by Hanna Nikolaichuk, Irena M. Choma and Gertrud E. Morlock
Molecules 2023, 28(7), 2893; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28072893 - 23 Mar 2023
Viewed by 1645
Abstract
Two herbal plants, Akebia quinata D. leaf/fruit and Clitoria ternatea L. flower, well-known in traditional medicine systems, were investigated using a non-target effect-directed profiling. High-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) was combined with 11 different effect-directed assays, including two multiplex bioassays, for assessing their bioactivity. [...] Read more.
Two herbal plants, Akebia quinata D. leaf/fruit and Clitoria ternatea L. flower, well-known in traditional medicine systems, were investigated using a non-target effect-directed profiling. High-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) was combined with 11 different effect-directed assays, including two multiplex bioassays, for assessing their bioactivity. Individual active zones were heart-cut eluted for separation via an orthogonal high-performance liquid chromatography column to heated electrospray ionization high-resolution mass spectrometry (HPLC–HESI-HRMS) for tentative assignment of molecular formulas according to literature data. The obtained effect-directed profiles provided information on 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl scavenging, antibacterial (against Bacillus subtilis and Aliivibrio fischeri), enzyme inhibition (tyrosinase, α-amylase, β-glucuronidase, butyrylcholinesterase, and acetylcholinesterase), endocrine (agonists and antagonists), and genotoxic (SOS-Umu-C) activities. The main bioactive compound zones in A. quinata leaf were tentatively assigned to be syringin, vanilloloside, salidroside, α-hederin, cuneataside E, botulin, and oleanolic acid, while salidroside and quinatic acids were tentatively identified in the fruit. Taraxerol, kaempherol-3-rutinoside, kaempferol-3-glucoside, quercetin-3-rutinoside, and octadecenoic acid were tentatively found in the C. ternatea flower. This straightforward hyphenated technique made it possible to correlate the biological properties of the herbs with possible compounds. The meaningful bioactivity profiles contribute to a better understanding of the effects and to more efficient food control and food safety. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Chromatographic Screening of Natural Products)
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16 pages, 3512 KiB  
Article
Bioactivity Profiles on 15 Different Effect Mechanisms for 15 Golden Root Products via High-Performance Thin-Layer Chromatography, Planar Assays, and High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry
by Hanna Nikolaichuk, Irena M. Choma and Gertrud E. Morlock
Molecules 2023, 28(4), 1535; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28041535 - 05 Feb 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2077
Abstract
Planar chromatography has recently been combined with six different effect-directed assays for three golden root (Rhodiola rosea L.) samples. However, the profiles obtained showed an intense tailing, making zone differentiation impossible. The profiling was therefore improved to allow for the detection of [...] Read more.
Planar chromatography has recently been combined with six different effect-directed assays for three golden root (Rhodiola rosea L.) samples. However, the profiles obtained showed an intense tailing, making zone differentiation impossible. The profiling was therefore improved to allow for the detection of individual bioactive compounds, and the range of samples was extended to 15 commercial golden root products. Further effect-directed assays were studied providing information on 15 different effect mechanisms, i.e., (1) tyrosinase, (2) acetylcholinesterase, (3) butyrylcholinesterase, (4) β-glucuronidase, and (5) α-amylase inhibition, as well as endocrine activity via the triplex planar yeast antagonist-verified (6–8) estrogen or (9–11) androgen screen, (12) genotoxicity via the planar SOS-Umu-C bioassay, antimicrobial activity against (13) Gram-negative Aliivibrio fischeri and (14) Gram-positive Bacillus subtilis bacteria, and (15) antioxidative activity (DPPH• radical scavengers). Most of the golden root profiles obtained were characteristic, but some samples differed substantially. The United States Pharmacopeia reference product showed medium activity in most of the assays. The six most active compound zones were further characterized using high-resolution mass spectrometry, and the mass signals obtained were tentatively assigned to molecular formulae. In addition to confirming the known activities, this study is the first to report that golden root constituents inhibit butyrylcholinesterase (rosin was tentatively assigned), β-glucuronidase (rosavin, rosarin, rosiridin, viridoside, and salidroside were tentatively assigned), and α-amylase (stearic acid and palmitic acid were tentatively assigned) and that they are genotoxic (hydroquinone was tentatively assigned) and are both agonistic and antagonistic endocrine active. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Chromatographic Screening of Natural Products)
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16 pages, 1361 KiB  
Article
Iphiona mucronata (Forssk.) Asch. & Schweinf. A Comprehensive Phytochemical Study via UPLC-Q-TOF-MS in the Context of the Embryo- and Cytotoxicity Profiles
by Łukasz Pecio, Asmaa M. Otify, Fatema R. Saber, Yasser A. El-Amier, Moataz Essam Shalaby, Solomiia Kozachok, Amira K. Elmotayam, Łukasz Świątek, Adrianna Skiba and Krystyna Skalicka-Woźniak
Molecules 2022, 27(21), 7529; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27217529 - 03 Nov 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1480
Abstract
Iphiona mucronata (Family Asteraceae) is widely distributed in the Eastern desert of Egypt. It is a promising plant material for phytochemical analysis and pharmacologic studies, and so far, its specific metabolites and biological activity have not yet been thoroughly investigated. Herein, we report [...] Read more.
Iphiona mucronata (Family Asteraceae) is widely distributed in the Eastern desert of Egypt. It is a promising plant material for phytochemical analysis and pharmacologic studies, and so far, its specific metabolites and biological activity have not yet been thoroughly investigated. Herein, we report on the detailed phytochemical study using UPLC-Q-TOF-MS approach. This analysis allowed the putative annotation of 48 metabolites belonging to various phytochemical classes, including mostly sesquiterpenes, flavonoids, and phenolic acids. Further, zebrafish embryotoxicity has been carried out, where 100 µg/mL extract incubated for 72 h resulted in a slow touch response of the 10 examined larvae, which might be taken as a sign of a disturbed peripheral nervous system. Results of in vitro testing indicate moderate cytotoxicity towards VERO, FaDu, and HeLa cells with CC50 values between 91.6 and 101.7 µg/mL. However, selective antineoplastic activity in RKO cells with CC50 of 54.5 µg/mL was observed. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first comprehensive profile of I. mucronata secondary metabolites that provides chemical-based evidence for its biological effects. A further investigation should be carried out to precisely define the underlying mechanisms of toxicity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Chromatographic Screening of Natural Products)
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45 pages, 3080 KiB  
Article
The Development and Application of a HPTLC-Derived Database for the Identification of Phenolics in Honey
by Ivan Lozada Lawag, Tomislav Sostaric, Lee Yong Lim, Katherine Hammer and Cornelia Locher
Molecules 2022, 27(19), 6651; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27196651 - 06 Oct 2022
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2454
Abstract
This study reports on the development and validation of a HPTLC-derived database to identify phenolic compounds in honey. Two database sets are developed to contain the profiles of 107 standard compounds. Rich data in the form of Rf values, colour hues (H°) at [...] Read more.
This study reports on the development and validation of a HPTLC-derived database to identify phenolic compounds in honey. Two database sets are developed to contain the profiles of 107 standard compounds. Rich data in the form of Rf values, colour hues (H°) at 254 nm and 366 nm, at 366 nm after derivatising with natural product PEG reagent, and at 366 nm and white light after derivatising with vanillin–sulfuric acid reagent, λ max and λ min values in their fluorescence and λ max values in their UV-Vis spectra as well as λ max values in their fluorescence and UV-Vis spectra after derivatisation are used as filtering parameters to identify potential matches in a honey sample. A spectral overlay system is also developed to confirm these matches. The adopted filtering approach is used to validate the database application using positive and negative controls and also by comparing matches with those identified via HPLC-DAD. Manuka honey is used as the test honey and leptosperine, mandelic acid, kojic acid, lepteridine, gallic acid, epigallocatechin gallate, 2,3,4-trihydroxybenzoic acid, o-anisic acid and methyl syringate are identified in the honey using the HPTLC-derived database. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Chromatographic Screening of Natural Products)
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Review

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23 pages, 521 KiB  
Review
Thin-Layer Chromatography (TLC) in the Screening of Botanicals–Its Versatile Potential and Selected Applications
by Teresa Kowalska and Mieczysław Sajewicz
Molecules 2022, 27(19), 6607; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27196607 - 05 Oct 2022
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 6524
Abstract
The aim of this paper is to present a comprehensive overview of the main aims and scopes in screening of botanicals, a task of which thin-layer chromatography (TLC) is, on an everyday basis, confronted with and engaged in. Stunning omnipresence of this modest [...] Read more.
The aim of this paper is to present a comprehensive overview of the main aims and scopes in screening of botanicals, a task of which thin-layer chromatography (TLC) is, on an everyday basis, confronted with and engaged in. Stunning omnipresence of this modest analytical technique (both in its standard format (TLC) and the high-performance one (HPTLC), either hyphenated or not) for many analysts might at a first glance appear chaotic and random, with an auxiliary rather than leading role in research, and not capable of issuing meaningful final statements. Based on these reflections, our purpose is not to present a general review paper on TLC in screening of botanicals, but a blueprint rather (illustrated with a selection of practical examples), which highlights a sovereign and important role of TLC in accomplishing the following analytical tasks: (i) solving puzzles related to chemotaxonomy of plants, (ii) screening a wide spectrum of biological properties of plants, (iii) providing quality control of herbal medicines and alimentary and cosmetic products of biological origin, and (iv) tracing psychoactive plants under forensic surveillance. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Chromatographic Screening of Natural Products)
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