In this study, the potential antiatherosclerotic active components in the Radix Bupeuri extract were studied using HepG2Cells biospecific extraction and high performance liquid chromatography-electron spray ionization-mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-MS).
Five compounds in the saikosaponins of Radix Bupeuri (SSRB) were detected as the components selectively combined with HepG2 cells, among these compounds, two potential bioactive compounds, saikosaponin b1 (SSb1) and saikosaponin b2 (SSb2) were identified by comparing with the chromatography of the standard sample and analysis of the structure clearage characterization of mass spectrometry.
To test whether SSb2 enhanced the selective uptake of lipids from HDL by fluorescence-labeled DiI-HDL uptake after 4 h incubation with HepG2 cells was measured in the presence of indicated concentration of SSb2 or vehicle (0.1% DMSO).
In conclusion, the application of HepG2 biospecific extraction coupled with HPLC-ESI-MS analysis is a rapid, convenient and reliable method for screening potent active components in TCM and SSb2 may be of value as a novel drug agent for the atherosclerosis.