Paper Report for: Ma_2021_Biomed.Chromatogr__e5077

Stem-leaf saponins (SLS), the total saponins from aerial part of P. notoginseng, are by-products of notoginseng, a famous tradition Chinese medicine. SLS have been used as a health functional food in China, but its mild effects limited clinical applications in diseases. Inspired by steaming of notoginseng to enhance pharmacological activity, a steaming protocol was developed to deal SLS. SLS were steamed at 100 degreesC, 120 degreesC, and 140 degreesC for 1, 2, 3, and 4 h, respectively. The UPLC-Q-TOF and UPLC-MS/MS were applied to analyze the dynamic changes in chemical compositions. Anti-acetylcholinesterase activity of steamed SLS were assessed in vitro by directly determining the metabolic product of acetylcholine, choline. The components of SLS were significantly changed by steaming. Total 117 saponins and aglycones were characterized, and 35 of them were newly generated. The anti-acetylcholinesterase activity of steamed SLS gradually increased with the extension of steamed time and the increase of steamed temperature and reached the maximum after 140 degreesC for 3 h. Furthermore, ginsenosides Rk1 and Rg5, the main components of steamed SLS, showed dose-dependent anti-acetylcholinesterase activities with IC(50) values of 26.88 +/- 0.53 microM and 22.41 +/- 1.31 microM that were only 1.8- and 1.5-fold higher than donepezil, respectively.