Exploring anti-inflammatory related quality markers of Urtica cannabina L. based on spectrum-effect relationship

This study aimed to investigate the quality markers for the anti-inflammatory of U. cannabina based on spectrum-effect relationship analysis.

HPLC chemical fingerprint spectra were obtained for 15 batches of U. cannabina from different origins. LC-MS was employed to identify their chemical constituents. In vitro, anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated for each U. cannabina using the Griess assay and ELISA kits. The relationship between chemical composition and biological activity was explored through chemometric methods including PCA, GRA, and OPLS. Components exhibiting significant anti-inflammatory activity were validated in vitro for efficacy and quantified using HPLC methodology.

In vitro experimental results indicate that extracts from different batches of U. cannabina exhibit varying degrees of anti-inflammatory activity. Among the 15 common peaks identified in the HPLC fingerprint spectrum, three major compounds were characterized: P6 (chlorogenic acid), P11 (Vicenin-2), and P12 (p-coumaric acid). Preliminary analysis by LC-MS predicting 41 compounds, including the aforementioned three. The in vitro anti-inflammatory activity of these three components, which significantly contribute to the anti-inflammatory effects of U. cannabina, demonstrated pronounced anti-inflammatory activity.

For the first time, significant anti-inflammatory active components of U. cannabina were identified through the establishment of structure-activity relationships and in vitro validation tests, providing a reference for establishing quality standards and conducting research on the pharmacological basis of its efficacy.