Discovery of quality marker and study on its pharmacodynamic differences in antirheumatoid arthritis in the three original plants of Clematidis Radix et Rhizoma

Abstract

Ultra-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS) technology was employed to analyze the chemical composition of three Clematidis Radix et Rhizoma sourced from different origins. Common characteristic components were identified through comprehensive literature review and the integration of fragment ion data. A rheumatoid arthritis (AA) model was induced in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats using Freund’s complete adjuvant, and simultaneous administration of extracts from the three original plants of Clematidis Radix et Rhizoma, along with different doses of magnoflorine, was conducted to evaluate differences in therapeutic efficacy. A common characteristic component was identified, magnoflorine, present in Clematis chinensis Osbeck. Clematis hexapetala Pall., and Clematis manshurica Rupr. Extracts from all three original plants, as well as each dose group of the Rhizomas of Clematis chinensis Osbeck. Clematis hexapetala Pall., Clematis manshurica Rupr., and magnoflorine, demonstrated efficacy in alleviating rheumatoid arthritis symptoms by enhancing cellular infiltration, reducing vascular opacification, and lowering serum levels of inflammatory factors. Magnoflorine has the potential to be used as a quality marker for the three original plants of Clematidis Radix et Rhizoma. Additionally, both the three original plants and magnoflorine exhibit therapeutic potential for rheumatoid arthritis, which provides a solid theoretical and experimental basis for the establishment of more scientifically grounded quality standards of Clematidis Radix et Rhizoma and promotes the rational utilization of medicinal resources.

Keywords

Clematidis Radix et Rhizoma / three fundamentals / quality markers / magnoflorine / rheumatoid arthritis

Acknowledgement

This study received support from various sources including 2023 Basic Research Project of Colleges and Universities of Liaoning Provincial Department of Education (JYTZD2023137),Career Development Support Plan for Young and Middle-aged Teachers in Shenyang Pharmaceutical University (ZQN2021014), 2024 Basic Scientific Research Funding Project of Liaoning Provincial Department of Education (LJ212410163051), Liaoning Province Science and Technology Plan Joint Plan (2024-MSLH-448) and Liaoning Provincial Innovation Capacity Promotion Joint Fund (2022-NLTS-12-01).

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