Pharmacometabolomics and mass spectrometry imaging approach to reveal the neurochemical mechanisms of Polygala tenuifolia
10.1016/j.jpha.2024.100973
- Author:
Li QIAN
1
,
2
;
Bai JINPENG
;
Ma YUXUE
;
Sun YU
;
Zhou WENBIN
;
Wang ZHAOYING
;
Zhou ZHI
;
Wang ZHONGHUA
;
Chen YANHUA
;
Abliz ZEPER
Author Information
1. Key Laboratory of Mass Spectrometry Imaging and Metabolomics(National Ethnic Affairs Commission),Minzu University of China,Beijing,100081,China
2. Key Laboratory of Ethnomedicine of Ministry of Education,School of Pharmacy,Minzu University of China,Beijing,100081,China
- Keywords:
Polygala tenuifolia;
Pharmaceutical metabolomics;
Spatially resolved metabolome;
Sedative-hypnotic;
Neurochemical mechanisms
- From:
Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis
2024;14(7):1035-1046
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Polygala tenuifolia,commonly known as Yuanzhi(YZ)in Chinese,has been shown to possess anti-insomnia properties.However,the material basis and the mechanism underlying its sedative-hypnotic effects remain unclear.Herein,we investigated the active components and neurochemical mechanism of YZ extracts using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry(LC-MS/MS)-based pharmaco-metabolomics and mass spectrometry imaging(MSI)-based spatial resolved metabolomics.According to the results,17 prototypes out of 101 ingredients in the YZ extract were detected in both the plasma and brain,which might be the major components contributing to the sedative-hypnotic effects.Network pharmacology analysis revealed that these prototypes may exert their effects through neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction,serotonergic synapse,dopaminergic synapse,and dopaminergic synapse,among other pathways.LC-MS/MS-based targeted metabolomics and Western blot(WB)revealed that tryptophan-serotonin-melatonin(Trp-5-HT-Mel)and tyrosine-norepinephrine-adrenaline(Tyr-Ne-Ad)are the key regulated pathways.Dopa decarboxylase(DDC)upregulation and phenylethanolamine N-methyltransferase(PNMT)downregulation further confirmed these pathways.Furthermore,MSI-based spatially resolved metabolomics revealed notable alterations in 5-HT in the pineal gland(PG),and Ad in the brainstem,including the middle brain(MB),pons(PN),and hypothalamus(HY).In summary,this study illustrates the efficacy of an integrated multidimensional metabolomics approach in unraveling the sedative-hypnotic effects and neurochemical mechanisms of a Chinese herbal medicine,YZ.
