[Comparative analysis of quality differences between post-cocoon and normally harvested Whitmania pigra materials...

Area of Science:

• Pharmacology and Traditional Chinese Medicine
• Natural Product Chemistry
• Quality Control of Herbal Medicines

Background:

• Whitmania pigra (W. pigra) is a traditional Chinese medicine with various pharmacological effects.
• Harvesting time can significantly impact the quality and efficacy of medicinal herbs.
• Establishing a robust evaluation system is crucial for ensuring the quality of W. pigra.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish a multi-dimensional "activity-component" evaluation system for W. pigra.
• To compare the quality of W. pigra harvested after cocoon production versus normal conditions.
• To assess the impact of harvesting time on W. pigra's pharmacological activities and chemical composition.

Main Methods:

• In vitro and in vivo pharmacodynamic experiments were conducted.
• Chemical compositions were analyzed using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) fingerprinting.
• Chemometric methods including Principal Component Analysis (PCA), Cluster Analysis (CA), and Orthogonal Partial Least Squares-Discriminant Analysis (OPLS-DA) were employed.

Main Results:

• W. pigra harvested after cocoon production showed significantly lower antithrombin activity and soluble protein content.
• In vivo studies revealed inferior inhibition of thrombosis-related parameters in rats treated with post-cocoon harvested W. pigra.
• HPLC and chemometric analyses confirmed distinct chemical profiles and identified seven key differential components, including uracil and hypoxanthine.

Conclusions:

• Harvesting W. pigra after cocoon production leads to a significant reduction in its medicinal quality.
• The in vitro/in vivo pharmacological activities and bioactive component content are diminished.
• W. pigra harvested post-cocoon is not recommended for use as decoction pieces in clinical practice.