In this work, the n-butanol extract from leaves of Lonicera japonica Thunb. (L. japonica) was reacted with DPPH and subjected to a HPLC analysis for the guided screening antioxidants (DPPH-HPLC experiments). Then, nine antioxidants, including flavonoid glycosides and caffeoylquinic acid derivatives, were isolated and purified from leaves of L. japonica using high speed counter-current chromatography (HSCCC) and prep-HPLC. The n-butanol extract was firstly isolated by HSCCC using methyl tert-butyl ether/n-butanol/acetonitrile/water (0.5% acetic acid) (2:2:1:5, v/v), yielding five fractions F1, F2 (rhoifolin), F3 (luteoloside), F4 and F5 (collected from the column after the separation). The sub-fractions F1, F4 and F5 were successfully separated by prep-HPLC. Finally, nine compounds, including chlorogenic acid (1), lonicerin (2), rutin (3), rhoifolin (4), luteoloside (5), 3,4-Odicaffeoylquinic acid (6), hyperoside (7), 3,5-O-dicaffeoylquinic acid (8), and 4,5-O-dicaffeoylquinic acid (9) were obtained, respectively, with the purities over 94% as determined by HPLC. The structures were identified by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS), 1H- and 13C-NMR. Antioxidant activities were tested, and the isolated compounds showed strong antioxidant activities.

Plant-derived sesquiterpene lactones are promising natural sources for the discovery of anti-cancer drugs. As an extensively studied sesquiterpene lactone, the tumor suppression effect of parthenolide (PTL) has been clarified by targeting a number of prominent signaling pathways and key protein regulators in carcinogenesis. Notably, PTL was also the first small molecule reported to eradicate cancer stem cells. Nevertheless, the clinical application of PTL as an antitumor agent remains limited, owing to some disadvantages such as low water solubility and poor bioavailability. Thus, nanomedicine has attracted much interest because of its great potential for transporting poorly soluble drugs to desired body sites. In view of the significant advantages over their free small-molecule counterparts, nanoparticle delivery systems appear to be a potential solution for addressing the delivery of hydrophobic drugs, including PTL. In this review, we summarized the key anticancer mechanisms underlined by PTL as well as engineered PTL nanoparticles synthesized to date. Therefore, PTL nanoformulations could be an alternative strategy to maximize the therapeutic value of PTL. Graphical Abstract:

Panax quinquefolius (PQ) has been widely used in traditional Chinese medicine and functional food. Ginsenosides are the important functional components of PQ. The ginsenosides’ diversity is deeply affected by the processing conditions. The ginsenosides in the steamed PQ have been not well-characterized yet because of the complexity of their structure. In the study, the comprehensive investigation of ginsenosides was performed on the steamed PQ with different steaming times and temperatures by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS. Based on the molecular weight, retention time and characterized fragment ions, 175 ginsenosides were unambiguously identified or tentatively characterized, including 45 protopanaxatriol type, 49 protopanaxadiol type, 19 octillol type, 6 oleanolic acid type ginsenosides, and 56 other ginsenosides. Ten new ginsenosides and three new aglycones were discovered in the steamed PQ samples through searching the database of CAS SciFinderⁿ. Principal component analysis showed the significant influence on the chemical components of PQ through different processing conditions. The steaming temperature was found to promote the transformation of ginsenosides more than the steaming time. The protoginsenosides were found to transform into the rare ginsenosides by elimination reactions. The malonyl ginsenosides were degraded into acetyl ginsenosides, and then degraded into neutral ginsenosides. The sugar chain experienced degradation, with position changes and configuration inversions. Furthermore, 20 (S/R)-ginsenoside Rh1, Rh2, Rg2, and Rh12 were found to transform from the S-configuration to the R-configuration significantly. This study could present a comprehensive ginsenosides profile of PQ with different steaming conditions, and provide technical support for the development and utilization of PQ.

An ultrahigh pressure extraction (UPE)-high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)/diode array detector (DAD) method was established to evaluate the quality of Lonicera japonica Thunb. Ten active components, including neochlorogenic acid, chlorogenic acid, 4-dicaffeoylquinic acid, caffeic acid, rutin, luteoloside, isochlorogenic acid B, isochlorogenic acid A, isochlorogenic acid C, and quercetin, were qualitatively evaluated and quantitatively determined. Scanning electron microscope images elucidated the bud surface microstructure and extraction mechanism. The optimal extraction conditions of the UPE were 60% methanol solution, 400 MPa of extraction pressure, 3 min of extraction time, and 1:30 (g/mL) solid:liquid ratio. Under the optimized conditions, the total extraction yield of 10 active components was 57.62 mg/g. All the components showed good linearity (r² ≥ 0.9994) and recoveries. This method was successfully applied to quantify 10 components in 22 batches of L. japonica samples from different areas. Compared with heat reflux extraction and ultrasonic-assisted extraction, UPE can be considered as an alternative extraction technique for fast extraction of active ingredient from L. japonica.

American ginseng (AG) has long been used as an ingredient in the food and pharmaceutical industries because of its nutritional and economic value. AG is rich in nutrients, and its quality is greatly affected by how it is processed. However, there is a relative paucity of research on the comprehensive evaluation of different processing techniques of AG. This study evaluated the differences in quality formation and properties of low-temperature softened, blanched, steamed followed by hot air drying, and vacuum freeze-dried AG (LTS-HAD, BL-HAD, ST-HAD, and VFD, respectively). The results demonstrated that AGs treated with VFD had the fastest drying time (85 h) and succeeded in preserving the color and microstructure of fresh ginseng. The contents of ginsenoside Rg1 and Rb1 in LTS-HAD samples were 2.81 ± 0.01 mg/g and 10.68 ± 0.66 mg/g, respectively, which were significantly higher than those in VFD samples (p < 0.05). Moreover, ST-HAD samples had an attractive reddish-brown appearance and higher antioxidant activity. Simultaneously, the formation of the ginsenosides Rg6, (S) Rg3, (R) Rg3, Rk1, and Rg5 was discovered. BL-HAD samples had an intermediate quality among the above samples. A total of 58 volatile compounds were identified, including aldehydes (14), alcohols (13), ketones (10), esters (6), terpenes (6), acids (5), and heterocyclic compounds (4). PCA of ginsenosides and volatile components, as well as correlation analysis with color and antioxidant activity, resulted in the identification of different processed products and potential bioactive components.