Processing-induced reduction in dianthrones content and toxicity of Polygonum multiflorum: Insights from ultra-high performance liquid chromatography triple quadrupole mass spectrometry analysis and toxicological assessment.

Abstract

Background: Polygonum multiflorum-induced liver injury (PM-DILI) has significantly hindered its clinical application and development.

Methods: This study investigates the variation in content and toxicity of dianthrones, the toxic components of P. multiflorum, during different processing cycles. We employed the ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography triple quadrupole mass spectrometry method to quantify six dianthrones in raw P. multiflorum and formulations processed with a method called nine cycles of steaming and sunning. Additionally, toxicity assessments were conducted using human normal liver cell line L02 and zebrafish embryos.

Results: Results indicate a gradual reduction in dianthrones content with increasing processing cycles. Processed formulations exhibited significantly reduced cytotoxicity in L02 cells and hepatotoxicity in zebrafish embryos.

Conclusions: Our findings elucidate the relationship between processing cycles and P. multiflorum toxicity, providing theoretical support for its safe use.