Chemical profiles of the active fraction from Prinsepia utilis Royle leaves and its anti-benign prostatic hyperplasia evaluation in animal models

Abstract

Background The Prinsepia utilis Royle leaves (P. utilis) is a folk herb used for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) control by ethnic minorities for centuries in China with rich in resources. Our previous studies have confirmed the anti-BPH effect of its water extract (QCJ) and the active fraction (Fr. B) separated from the QCJ by animal test. The Fr. B from P. utilis should be a potential candidate for BPH control. Methods In this study, the chemical ingredients of Fr. B were identified by UPLC-QTOF-MS, and quantified by HPLC. Murine animal models were divided into 8 groups, Sham rats, BPH rats, BPH rats administered with finasteride (1 mg/kg), BPH rats administered with Pule’an (460 mg/kg), BPH rats administered with low, high dosage of QCJ (860 mg/kg, 2580 mg/kg respectively), BPH rats administered with low, high dosage of Fr. B (160 mg/kg, 480 mg/kg respectively). The expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the prostate tissue of rats was tested, and serum levels of dihydrotestosterone (DHT), testosterone (T), estradiol (E2), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and total superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), catalase (CAT), malondialdehyde (MDA) in prostate homogenate were measured. One-way ANOVA followed by LSD was used for statistical analysis. Results The BPH rats treated by Fr. B exhibited significant reductions of VEGF and MDA levels, as well as significant increases of SOD, GSH-Px and CAT in the prostate tissue after 28 day administration (P < 0.05). Moreover, Fr. B significantly reduced DHT, DHT/E2 ratio, TNF-α, while increased T levels in serum of BPH rats (P < 0.05). UPLC-QTOF-MS analysis revealed 10 flavonoids as the key constituents of this fraction, which accounted for 54.96% of all substance of Fr. B. The relative contents of compound 1, 2 are 11.1%, 13% in Fr. B respectively. Conclusions These results indicated that the Fr. B obtained from P. utilis alleviated the symptoms of BPH rats through multiple mechanisms including reduction of DHT/E2 ratio, inhibition of growth factor, anti-inflammation and anti-oxidation, in which flavonoids might be the key constituents. It supported the hypothesis that the Fr. B should be further explored as a candidate for BPH patients.

Untargeted metabolomic profiling of Prinsepia utilis Royle leaves by Ultra‐Performance Liquid Chromatography‐Quadrupole‐Time of Flight‐Mass Spectrometry

“…Peng et al studied the chemical composition of P. utilis leaves, identifying 10 flavonoids, namely, quercetin‐3‐O‐α‐L‐rhamnopyranosyl‐(1 → 6)‐[α‐L‐rhamnopyranosyl‐(1 → 2)]‐β‐D‐glucopyranoside‐7‐O‐β‐Dglucopyranoside, kaempferol‐3‐O‐α‐L‐rhamnopyranosyl‐(1 → 6)‐[α‐L‐rhamnopyranosyl‐(1 → 2)]‐β‐D‐glucopyranoside‐7‐O‐β‐D‐glucopyranoside, quercetin‐3‐O‐α‐L‐rhamnopyranosyl‐(1 → 6)‐β‐D‐glucopyranoside‐7‐O‐β‐D‐glucopyranoside, kaempferol‐3‐O‐α‐L‐rhamnopyranosyl‐(1 → 6)‐β‐D‐glucopyranoside‐7‐O‐β‐D‐glucopyranoside, isorhamnetin‐3‐O‐α‐L‐rhamnopyranosyl‐(1 → 6)‐β‐D‐glucopyranoside‐7‐O‐β‐D‐glucopyranoside, kaempferol‐3‐O‐α‐L‐rhamnopyranosyl‐(1 → 6)‐[α‐L‐rhamnopyranosyl‐(1 → 2)]‐β‐D‐glucopyranoside, isorhamnetin‐3‐O‐α‐L‐rhamnopyranosyl‐(1 → 6)‐[α‐L‐rhamnopyranosyl‐(1 → 2)]‐β‐D‐glucopyranoside, quercetin 3‐O‐α‐L‐rhamnopyranosyl‐(1 → 6)‐β‐D‐glucopyranoside, kaempferol‐3‐O‐α‐L‐rhamnopyranosyl‐(1 → 6)‐β‐D‐glucopyranoside, and isorhamnetin‐3‐O‐α‐L‐rhamnopyranosyl‐(1 → 6)‐β‐D‐glucopyranoside, and demonstrating their beneficial effects on rats with benign prostatic hyperplasia 16 . Another study by Shen et al identified 60 polyphenols in P. utilis leaves, with four compounds—trans‐p‐coumaric acid‐4‐O‐β‐D‐glucopyranoside, vicenin‐2, isoschaftoside, and kaempferol‐3‐O‐(2″,6″‐di‐O‐α‐L‐rhamnopyransoyl)‐β‐D‐glucopyranoside—highlighted for their favorable pharmacokinetic properties 31 …”

“…Previously, more than 44 phenolic compounds, categorized into phenolic acids, anthocyanins, flavonoids, and hydroxybenzoic acid derivatives, have been reported in different parts of P. utilis, such as flowers, leaves, fruits, stems, and seeds. [16][17][18][19] In this study, the tentative identification of MFs, extracted as described in Section 2, utilizing MS/MS data in high-resolution mode, resulted in the identification of a total of 78 compounds with a mass accuracy error below ±5 ppm.…”

Prinsepia utilis Royle polysaccharides promote skin barrier repair through the Claudin family

“…[20][21][22] Currently, it is known that PUR leaf extracts can combat allergic contact dermatitis, polyphenol extracts of the seed shell of PUR can be used as potential activators of tyrosinase, and the components of PUR flavonoids have anti-benign prostatic hyperplasia and hypoglycemic effects. [23][24][25][26] Molecular docking analysis of PUR fruits, revealed that all the fractions exhibited strong radical-scavenging activities and good inhibition of cellular reactive oxygen species generation in H 2 O 2 -induced HepG2 cells and against pancreatic lipase and α-glucosidase. 27 Leaf and seed extracts exhibited noteworthy antibacterial effects against diverse pathogenic microorganisms.…”

“…PUR oil has excellent benefits in food, medicine, and cosmetics, functions as a skin barrier for SC promotion and has potential therapeutic applications as a natural anti‐inflammatory and analgesic agent 20–22 . Currently, it is known that PUR leaf extracts can combat allergic contact dermatitis, polyphenol extracts of the seed shell of PUR can be used as potential activators of tyrosinase, and the components of PUR flavonoids have anti‐benign prostatic hyperplasia and hypoglycemic effects 23–26 . Molecular docking analysis of PUR fruits, revealed that all the fractions exhibited strong radical‐scavenging activities and good inhibition of cellular reactive oxygen species generation in H₂O₂‐induced HepG2 cells and against pancreatic lipase and α‐glucosidase 27 .…”