Multi-methodological approach for the Quality assessment of Senecionis scandentis Herba (Qianliguang) in the herbal market

• Published in: PloS one Vol. 17; no. 4; p. e0267143
• Main Authors: Ngai, Hiu-Lam, Yang, Xiao, Chu, Adrian Jun, Harper, Rachel, Jacobsen, Alice B. J. E., Lau, David Tai-Wai, Yu, Ho-Yin, Lee, Hung-Kay, Shaw, Pang-Chui
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Public Library of Science 14.04.2022; Public Library of Science (PLoS)
• Subjects: Anti-Bacterial Agents - pharmacology; Antibacterial activity; Biocompatibility; Biology and Life Sciences; Chemical composition; Chemical compounds; Chromatography, Liquid; Computer and information sciences; Deoxyribonucleic acid; DNA; DNA Barcoding, Taxonomic; Evaluation; Flavonoids; Gene sequencing; Genetic testing; Herbal medicine; High-performance liquid chromatography; Lespedeza; Life sciences; Liquid chromatography; Medicine; Medicine and Health Sciences; Medicine, Botanic; Medicine, Herbal; Methods; Morphology; Physical Sciences; Plants, Medicinal - genetics; Quality assessment; Quality control; Quality management; Quality standards; Research and analysis methods; Senecio - genetics; Staphylococcus aureus - genetics; Tandem Mass Spectrometry; Toxicity; China; Hong Kong China; United States > US
• ISSN: 1932-6203; 1932-6203
• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0267143

We set forth to assess the quality of an herbal medicine sold in Hong Kong called Qianliguang by employing a multi-methodological approach. The quality is set by its identity, chemical composition, and bioactivities, among others. Qianliguang (Senecionis scandentis Herba, Senecio scandens Buch.-Ham. ex D.Don) has known antibacterial properties. However, it is poisonous and overconsumption can result in liver damage. Eighteen Qianliguang samples were purchased from herbal shops at various districts in Hong Kong. Samples were first authenticated organoleptically. DNA barcoding at the psbA-trnH , ITS2 , and rbcL loci was then conducted to confirm the species. HPLC-UV was performed to screen for the presence of the chemical compounds and to quantify the flavonoid hyperoside. UPLC-MS was used to quantify the amount of the toxic pyrrolizidine alkaloid (PA) adonifoline. Microdilution assay was performed to show the antibacterial effect on Streptococcus aureus and S . pneumoniae . Results showed that five samples were found to be substituted by species belonging to the genus Lespedeza ; four samples were mixtures containing not only Qianliguang but also Achyranthes aspera L., Lonicera confusa DC., or Solanum nigrum L. HPLC-UV showed that only ten contained enough hyperoside to meet the standard requirement. In addition, nine samples had adonifoline that exceeded the toxicity standard requirement. In the microdilution assay, samples containing Qianliguang showed inhibition on S . aureus and S . pneumoniae , while among the five Lespedeza sp. samples the antibacterial effects on S . aureus were not detectable; only one sample showed inhibition to S . pneumoniae . Our study illustrated the necessity of using a multi-methodological approach for herbal medicine quality assessment. We also showed that Qianliguang samples in the Hong Kong market were either toxic or adulterated. It is therefore essential to improve the quality control of Qianliguang and probably other herbs in the herbal market.