Alismatis rhizoma (AR), the dried rhizoma of Alisma orientale Juzepzuk (Alismataceae), is a traditional Chinese medicine. AR is an important part of many prescriptions and is commonly used as a diuretic agent in Asia. This study aimed to evaluate the diuretic effects of total triterpene extract (TTE) and triterpene component compatibility (TCC, the mixture of alisol B 23-acetate, alisol B, alisol A 24-acetate, alisol A, and alisol C 23-acetate) of AR in saline-loaded rats. The optimal diuretic TCC of AR was optimized using a uniform design. Different doses (5, 20, and 40 mg/kg) of TTE and TCC groups (N1–N8) were orally administered to rats. Urinary excretion rate, pH, and electrolyte excretion were measured in the urine of saline-loaded rats. Results showed that TTE doses increased urine volume and electrolyte excretion compared with the control group. All uniformly designed groups of TCC also increased urine excretion. In addition, optimal diuretic TCC was calculated (alisol B 23-acetate: alisol B: alisol A 24-acetate: alisol A: alisol C 23-acetate 7.2:0.6:2.8:3.0:6.4) and further validated by saline-loaded rats. This study demonstrated that TTE presented a notable diuretic effect by increasing Na⁺, K⁺, and Cl⁻ displacements. The most suitable TTC compatible proportion of alisol B 23-acetate: alisol B: alisol A 24-acetate: alisol A: alisol C 23-acetate for diuretic activity was validated, and triterpenes were the material basis for the diuretic activity of AR.

Alismatis Rhizoma (AMR) is a well-known natural medicine with a long history in Chinese medicine and has been commonly used for treating a wide range of ailments related to dysuria, edema, nephropathy, hyperlipidaemia, diabetes, inflammation as well as tumors in clinical applications. Most beneficial effects of AMR are attributed to the presence of protostane terpenoids, the major active ingredients of Alismatis Rhizoma (AMR). In this study, a systematic high performance liquid chromatography/diode-array detector/quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (HPLC-DAD-Q-TOF MS) and ultra-performance liquid chromatography/triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (UPLC-QqQ MS) method was developed for qualitative and quantitative analyses of the major AMR triterpenoids. First, a total of 25 triterpenoid components, including 24 known compounds and one new compound were identified by comparison with UV spectra, molecular ions and fragmentation behaviors of reference standards or the literature. Second, an efficient method was established for the rapid simultaneous determination of 14 representative triterpenoids by UPLC-QqQ MS. Forty-three batches of AMR were analyzed with linearity (r, 0.9980–0.9999), intra-day precision (RSD, 1.18%–3.79%), inter-day precision (RSD, 1.53%–3.96%), stability (RSD, 1.32%–3.97%), repeatability (RSD, 2.21%–4.25%), and recovery (98.11%–103.8%). These results indicated that new approaches combining HPLC-DAD-Q-TOF MS and UPLC-QqQ MS are applicable in the qualitative and quantitative analysis of AMR.

This study aimed to evaluate the hepatoprotective effects of rapeseed pollen extract (RPE) in mice with alcohol-induced liver injury and to investigate the underlying mechanisms. The chemical composition of RPE was characterized using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS). An experimental murine model of alcoholic liver injury was established to assess its biological activity. A total of 64 compounds were identified, predominantly comprising flavonoids, triterpenoids, alkaloids, lipids, and sterols. RPE administration significantly reduced serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), triglycerides (TG), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and interleukin-6 (IL-6). Hepatic activities of alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH), aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) were increased, whereas malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were decreased. Histopathological examination demonstrated attenuation of liver injury, and immunohistochemical analysis revealed increased expression of Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1), nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), and NAD(P)H quinone dehydrogenase 1 (NQO1). These results indicate that RPE exerts protective effects against alcohol-induced liver injury through modulation of oxidative stress and inflammatory responses. This study provides a theoretical basis for the development and application of rapeseed pollen in functional foods for liver protection.