Qingli Wu

Rutgers School of Nursing

Statistical analyses and mass spectra.

Catnip (Nepeta cataria L.) plants produce a wide array of specialized metabolites with multiple applications for human health. The productivity of such metabolites, including nepetalactones, and natural insect repellents is influenced by the conditions under which the plants are cultivated. In this study, we assessed how field-grown catnip plants,...

The catnip plant, Nepeta cataria L., produces bioactive iridoid monoterpenes known as nepetalactones. These monoterpenes follow a noncanonical biosynthetic route starting as isoprene monomers in the methylerythritol (MEP) pathway after condensation via geranyl pyrophosphate synthase (GPPS) and later cyclization through the iridoid pathway via nepet...

Nepetalactoids are bioactive iridoid terpenes commonly found in the extracts and essential oil of Nepeta cataria. Nepetalactoids which include bioactive compounds such as the isomers of nepetalactone, nepetalic acid, dihydronepetalactone, and nepetalactam have been demonstrated to exhibit antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties as well as and...

Hibiscus sabdariffa has gained increasing attention from consumers as a natural, healthy food ingredient, leading to a myriad of available products, yet there is a lack of understanding of the quality and chemical diversity among commercially available hibiscus products. Here, we conducted a survey on the chemistry of 29 hibiscus products (calyces,...

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder involving motor symptoms caused by a loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra region of the brain. Epidemiological evidence suggests that anthocyanin (ANC) intake is associated with a low risk of PD. Previously, we reported that extracts enriched with ANC and proanthocyanidins (PA...

Brassica vegetables (Brassicaceae) produce a unique class of compounds known as glucosinolates. The breakdown products of glucosinolates, including isothiocyanates, are recognized as the primary sources of bioactivity and characteristic taste, flavor and aroma of these vegetables. An emerging market trend is to harvest leafy greens at the immature...

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder involving motor symptoms caused by a loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra region of the brain. Epidemiological evidence suggests that anthocyanin (ANC) intake is associated with a low risk of PD. Previously, we reported that extracts enriched with ANC and proanthocyanidins (PA...

Figure S1. Representative GC chromatogram of the essential oil of catnip cv. CR9 followed by the mass spectra of the major compound of the essential oil, (Z,E)-nepetalactone. Figure S2. Representative GC chromatogram of the essential oil of oregano cv. Pierre followed by the mass spectra of the major compound of the essential oil, carvacrol. Figure...

Plant based natural products have been widely used as antibacterial and insect repellent agents globally. Because of growing resistance in bacterial plant pathogens and urban pests to current methods of control, combined with the long- and short-term negative impact of certain chemical controls in humans, non-target organisms, and the environment,...

Kinkéliba (Combretum micranthum, Seh-Haw in Wolof) is a popular bush tea in West African countries. Although the kinkéliba plant’s leaves have been widely consumed for its nutritional and medicinal properties, its benefits on skin health potential have been practically untouched. In human epidermal primary keratinocytes, vitexin and isovitexin-rich...

Introduction Catnip (Nepeta cataria L.) produces volatile iridoid terpenes, mainly nepetalactones, with strong repellent activity against species of arthropods with commercial and medical importance. Recently, new catnip cultivars CR3 and CR9 have been developed, both characterized by producing copious amounts of nepetalactones. Due to its perennia...

Catnip (Nepeta cataria L.) is of scientific interest largely due to the production of nepetalactones, volatile iridoid terpenes with strong arthropod repellent activity. However, the plant can also produce other bioactive volatile iridoids, such as nepetalic acid (NA), nepetalactam (NT) and dihydronepetalactone (DHNL) that have not been studied ext...

Table S1: Interaction between catnip genotypes and harvest times for dry biomass accumulation.; Table S2: Interaction between catnip genotypes and harvest times for Nepetalic Acid (NA) accumulation; Table S3: Interaction between catnip genotypes and harvest times for Nepetalactam (NT) accumulation; Table S4: Interaction between catnip genotypes and...

Overexposure to mental stress throughout life is a significant risk factor for the development of neuropsychiatric disorders, including depression and anxiety. The immune system can initiate a physiological response, releasing stress hormones and pro–inflammatory cytokines, in response to stressors. These effects can overcome allostatic physiologic...

Though widely used in the insect repellent, pet toy and essential oil industries, much of the Nepeta genus remains underexplored. A few researchers have made efforts to develop elite genotypes, mainly of the N. cataria species (catnip), with desired traits that are economically relevant in terms of breeding while enhancing or retaining the desired...

Bioactive dietary polyphenols in grape (Vitis vinifera) have been used in Dietary Supplements (DSs) with the aim to prevent numerous diseases, including cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases, and to reduce depression and anxiety. Given prior recognition that DSs can be quality challenged from the purity, authentication, adulteration, and ac...

Methods for a dissolution study by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography/triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (UHPLC-QqQ/MS) analysis of grape polyphenol dietary supplements, namely, grape seed extract (GSE) and resveratrol (RSV) capsules, were developed following the guidance of United States Pharmacopeia (USP) <2040>. Two dissolution media,...

Reliable analysis of phenolic compounds in fatty matrices is a challenging task. In this work, a robust analytical method was developed and validated for 55 phenolic compounds employing QuEChERS (quick, efficient, cheap, easy, rugged and safe) and Enhanced Matrix Removal (EMR)-lipid cleanup in 96-well plates for sample preparation, coupled with ult...

The aim of this work was to develop an approach combining LC-MS-based metabolomics and machine learning to distinguish between and predict authentic and adulterated lemon juices. A targeted screening of six major flavonoids was first conducted using ultraviolet ion trap MS. To improve the prediction accuracy, an untargeted methodology was carried o...

Dihydromyricetin is a natural bioactive flavonoid with unique GABAA receptor activity with a putative mechanism of action to reduce the intoxication effects of ethanol. Although dihydromyricetin’s poor oral bioavailability limits clinical utility, the promise of this mechanism for the treatment of alcohol use disorder warrants further investigation...

Aims We investigated whether the consumption of Concord grape juice (CGJ) was associated with increased bioavailability of serum metabolites and their potential impact on cognitive performance in Veterans with Gulf War Illness (GWI). Main methods Twenty-six veterans were selected from a cohort of 36 enrolled in a 24-week randomized, double-blind,...

Raspberry ketone (RK), a major flavor compound in red raspberries, has been marketed as a popular weight-loss dietary supplement with high potential in accumulating fatty tissues. However, challenges in extracting and characterizing phenolic compounds in fatty tissues persist due to the excessively high lipid content and the vast concentration rang...

A total of 81 lemon juices samples were detected using an optimized UHPLC-QqQ-MS/MS method and colorimetric assays. Concentration of 3 organic acids (ascorbic acid, malic acid and citric acid), 3 saccharides (glucose, fructose and sucrose) and 6 phenolic acids (trans-p-coumaric acid, 3-hydroxybenzoic acid, 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, 3,4-dihydroxybenzoi...

A hydrophilic interaction (HILIC) ultra-high performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) with triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) method was developed and validated for the quantification of 21 free amino acids (AAs). Compared to published reports, our method renders collectively improved sensitivity with lower limit of quantification...

The prevalence of micronutrient deficiencies continues to remain alarmingly high in sub- Saharan Africa. One potential solution to undernutrition is to promote the consumption of African Indigenous Vegetables (AIVs) that are rich in vitamin A, iron, zinc and other healthpromoting phytochemicals. However, due to limited advances in agronomic practic...

Species of the genus Nepeta are known to produce copious amounts of a special class of iridoid monoterpenes named nepetalactones. The most notorious species of the genus, Nepeta cataria L. (catnip), produces remarkable amounts of those volatiles and is widely recognized by the behavioral effects it induces in felines and the repellent activities ex...

The common bed bug, Cimex lectularius L., resurged as an important urban pest in the last 20 yr. Yet, there are no commercial repellent products labeled for bed bugs available in the United States. We evaluated the repellency of two catnip oils from newly developed cultivars, CR3 and CR9, and compared each to 10 and 25% N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide (...

Catnip (Nepeta cataria L.), a popular aromatic herb used as a traditional medicine is more widely recognized for its use in the pet toy industry due to the behavioral effects it elicits on cats and other felids. A major interest in catnip is also due to its repellent activity against arthropods. Essential oil of catnip is an effective repellent aga...

The first total synthesis of novel skeleton natural compounds kinkeloids A and B, a group of newly discovered flavan alkaloids isolated from the African plant Combretum micranthum, are described in this study. The key and final step are achieved by Mannich reaction, through which the piperidine moiety couples to the flavan moiety. The identities of...

RATIONALE The safe consumption of Solanum scabrum and S. nigrum berries (SNBs) depends upon a reliable and rapid chemical screen for the testing of the fruit and/or final food and industrial products for the presence and level of toxic glycoalkaloids. Such a rapid and sensitive screen could also be used by those involved in food safety and forensic...

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a leading cause of disability, and there is an urgent need for new therapeutics. Stress-mediated induction of pro-inflammation in the periphery contributes to depression-like behaviors both in humans and in experimental models. Inflammatory cytokine interleukin-6 (IL-6) has emerged as a potential therapeutic targe...

Objectives 7,8-Dihydroxyflavone (DHF) is a naturally occurring flavonoid that is being actively investigated as a therapeutic modality in the treatment of neurological disorders. A recent study also indicated that oral DHF supplementation protected female but not male mice from diet-induced obesity. However, the mechanisms underlying this sexually-...

Objectives Raspberry ketone (4-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-butanone) (RK) is the major aroma compound of red raspberries and used commercially as flavoring agent. It is now gaining attention as a weight loss supplement. This work aimed to establish atargeted ultra-high performance liquid chromatography triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-QqQ-...

Raspberry ketone (RK) (4-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-butanone) is the major compound responsible for the characteristic aroma of red raspberries, and has long been used commercially as a flavoring agent and recently as a weight loss supplement. A targeted UHPLC-QqQ-MS/MS method was developed and validated for analysis of RK and 25 associated metabolites in...

The chemical profiles of essential oil-bearing plants can greatly vary as a response to ecological and seasonal changes. For specialty crops such as catnip(Nepeta cataria L.) and lemon catnip, (Nepeta cataria L. var. citriodora), optimizing these conditions based on field performance evaluations and chemical analyses of aromatic profiles can provid...

L'invention concerne une utilisation d'extrait de Combretum micranthum dans des produits cosmétiques. Des procédés tels qu'un procédé d'extraction par solvant et un procédé chromatographique sont spécifiquement utilisés. Il a été découvert que la plante Combretum micranthum ou son extrait possède les effets suivants : hydratation, effet anti-inflam...

Objectives: Raspberry ketone (RK) is the primary aroma compound in red raspberries and a dietary supplement for weight loss. This work aims to 1) Compare RK bioavailability among male vs. female, normal-weight vs. obese mice; and 2) Characterize RK metabolic pathways. Methods: Study 1: C57BL/6J male and female mice fed a low-fat-diet (LFD; 10% f...

Plant-derived polyphenolic compounds possess diverse biological activities, including strong anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, and anti-tumorigenic activities. There is a growing interest in the development of polyphenolic compounds for preventing and treating chronic and degenerative diseases, such as cardiovascular disorders, cance...

This study developed comprehensive quantification methods for major nutritive and antinutritive phytochemical aglycones in edible African nightshade leaves, an underutilized food resource in the sub-Saharan area. A simultaneous hydrolysis and extraction method was developed using methanol with 2 M sulfuric acid with incubation at 65 °C for 60 min....

Objectives: Raspberry ketone (RK), the characteristic aromatic phenol derived from red raspberries (Rubus idaeus L.), has purported anti-obesity properties. This work aims to 1) conduct pharmacokinetic (PK) studies to compare the bioavailability of orally dosed RK among four cohorts of mice: male vs female, lean vs. obese; 2) Characterize major RK...

Red raspberries (Rubus idaeus) contain numerous phenolic compounds with purported health benefits. Raspberry ketone (4-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-butanone) is a primary raspberry flavor phenolic found in raspberries and is designated as a synthetic flavoring agent by the Food and Drug Administration. Synthetic raspberry ketone has been demonstrated to res...

BACKGROUND Solanum scabrum berries in sub‐Saharan Africa are prolific but neglected as an agricultural resource. Recognition and application of such underutilized resources rely on systematic study of the relevant phytochemicals of commercial value. RESULTS The quantities of a total of 54 phytochemicals in Solanum scabrum berries were assessed usi...

There is an increased need for improved and affordable insect repellents to reduce transmission of rapidly spreading diseases with high mortality rates. Natural products are often used when DEET cannot be afforded or accessed and when consumers choose not to use a synthetic repellent. The essential oils from two newly bred Nepeta cataria (catnip) p...

Consumption safety of Solanum scabrum berries is controversial in different cultural practices and evaluation of the toxicity as well as micronutrition value relies on relevant phytochemical study. Thus, this study aimed to systematically profile the phytochemicals in the berries from different genetic sources and maturity. Using a combination of t...

The aging of populations worldwide is driving greater demands for dietary polyphenols which have been recognized as promising prophylactic and/or therapeutic agents in the context of neurodegeneration, and are ubiquitously present in plant-based diets. In particular, grape-derived products encompass a wide array of phenolic compounds purported with...

The intestinal microbiota actively converts dietary flavanols into phenolic acids, some of which are bioavailable in vivo and may promote resilience to select neurological disorders by interfering with key pathologic mechanisms. Since every person harbors a unique set of gut bacteria, we investigated the influence of the gut microbiota's interperso...

Accumulating evidence indicates that the health impact of dietary phenolic compounds, including the principal grape-derived polyphenols, (+)‑catechin and (-)‑epicatechin, is exerted by not only the parent compounds but also their phenolic metabolites generated by the gut microbiota. In this work, a new high-throughput, sensitive and reproducible an...

Raspberry ketone (RK) is the characteristic aromatic compound in raspberry (Rubus idaeus L.) with wide applications as food additive and anti-obesity agent. However, quantification of RK has presented difficulties in MS detection and reliable LC-MS method for RK analysis in literature is in limit to date. In order to facilitate quality control of r...

The disclosure provides seed, tissue cultures, essential oil extracts, and plants of catnip hybrid 'CR3', as well as methods for producing a catnip plants by crossing 'CR3 'plants with themselves or with another catnip plant, such as a plant of another genotype, variety, or cultivar. The disclosure further provides seed, tissue cultures, essential...

Grape-derived products contain a wide array of bioactive phenolic compounds which are of significant interest to consumers and researchers for their multiple health benefits. The majority of bioavailable grape polyphenols, including the most abundant flavan-3-ols, i.e. (+)-catechin and (-)-epicatechin, undergo extensive microbial metabolism in the...

The toxic ginkgolic acids are the main safety concern for the application of Ginkgo biloba. In this study, the degradation ability of salicylic acid decarboxylase (SDC) for ginkgolic acids was examined using ginkgolic acid C15:1 as a substrate. The results indicated that the content of ginkgolic acid C15:1 in Ginkgo biloba seeds was significantly d...

African indigenous vegetables (AIVs) because of their nutrient density have the unique potential to reduce micronutrient deficiencies in sub-Saharan Africa, yet some may also contain anti-nutritive compounds. Vegetable nightshades from Solanum americanum, S olanum nigrum, S olanum scabrum and S olanum villosum are among the major AIVs used as a lea...

Herbal tea kinkéliba derived from Combretum micranthum leaf has been widely consumed in West African countries for its flavor, nutritional and medicinal properties. Under bio-guided screening, the kinkéliba leaves were chemically investigated using various chromatographic and spectrometric methods and led to the identification of thirteen different...

Ten different Nepeta cataria (catnip) lines were analyzed for monoterpenyl nepetalactones and dihydronepetalactones to evaluate insect repellent activity. Using a newly developed LC/MS method, 4 stereoisomers of nepetalactones and dihydronepetalactones were successfully separated and identified based on the UV and MS data, and in comparison with th...

Moringa oleifera is a commonly used plant and a rich source of nutrients and antioxidants. Using HPLC combined with UV and MS detection, a total of 20 moringa leaf samples field-grown from the same genetic varieties introduced into and grown in Ghana, Senegal, and Zambia were collected and analyzed to give an individual account of α- and β-carotene...

The local geoid fluctuation is the major problem for the application of GPS survey. Algorithm for refining local geoid includes gravity method, GPS leveling method, and hybrid method. Hybrid method is widely applied due to its high precision and resolution, while high precision earth gravity model is the key for the hybrid method. The precision and...

A method was developed for identification and quantification of polyphenols in the leaves of Ximenia caffra using HPLC/UV/MS. Based on analyzing the MS and UV data and in comparison to the authentic standards, a total of 10 polyphenols were identified and quantified, including gallic acid, catechin, quercetin, kaempferol, and their derivatives. The...

Citrus essential oils are widely applied in food industry as the backbone of citrus flavors. Unfortunately, due to relatively simple chemical composition and tremendous price differences among citrus species, adulteration has been plaguing the industry since its inception. Skilled blenders are capable of making blends that are almost indistinguisha...

This invention provides the methods of separation and identification of a novel type of piperidine flavan alkaloids from an African herbal tea, the leaves of Combretum micranthum commonly known as kinkeliba, and the procedures for preparing the total piperidine flavan alkaloids (TPFA). In particular, this invention relates to the use of the plant e...

Metabolic syndrome has become an epidemic and poses tremendous burden on the health system. People with metabolic syndrome are more likely to experience cognitive decline. As obesity and sedentary lifestyles become more common, the development of early prevention strategies is critical. In this study, we explore the potential beneficial effects of...

Moringa oleifera is an important multipurpose tropical tree under-recognized for its nutritional and medicinal properties. Leaves of moringa collected from sub-Sahara Africa were analyzed for phenolic components by HPLC-UV-MS. Twelve flavonoids were identified, including quercetin and kaempferol glucosides and glucoside malonates as major constitue...

A simple and precise acid-assisted hydrolysis method was established for the quantification of anthocyanidins in 15 grape juice samples, four grape berries and four grape skins using LC/MS. Under optimized conditions, five major anthocyanidins including delphinidin, cyanidin, petunidin, peonidin and malvidin in the hydrolyzed grape extracts were su...

Pycnanthus angolensis (African nutmeg), native to several West African countries, was investigated for new medicinal uses. Sustainably harvested in Ghana, the seed fat is processed into kombo butter by farmer cooperatives. This plant-based butter is rich in myristoleic acid, a precursor to cetyl myristoleate (CMO) which is currently marketed as a s...

Consumption of grape derived polyphenols is associated with the prevention of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). HF diet, on the other hand, has been shown to be a risk factor on AD onset and progression. To further understand the physiological impact of these compounds ingested as a grape polyphenolic preparation termed ‘...

Tofu-type soybeans can differ from conventional soy varieties in seed size, seed composition, flavour and nutrition. Using HPLC coupled with ESI-MS and PDA detection, a total of 19 isoflavones were detected and identified from Tofu-type soybean seeds, more than previously reported forms from many other soybeans. An HPLC/UV fingerprint study was per...

A rapid and comprehensive qualitative method has been developed to characterize the different classes of polyphenols, such as anthocyanins, flavonols, phenolic acids, and flavanols/proanthocyanidins, in grape products. The detection was achieved by two runs with the same LC gradient in different MS ionization modes and mobile phase modifiers (posit...

This disclosure concerns novel methods for preventing or treating neurological or neurodegenerative diseases or disorders by using kombo butter acid enriched extracts derived from the seeds of African nutmeg, the main active compounds isolated from the extracts, namely sargaquinoic acid, sargachromenol, and sargahydroquinoic acid, or synthetic anal...

Alzheimer disease is an age-related neurodegenerative disorder characterized by amyloid-beta (Abeta) peptide deposition into cerebral amyloid plaques. The natural polyphenol resveratrol promotes anti-aging pathways via the activation of several metabolic sensors, including the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). Resveratrol also lowers Abeta level...

Griffonia, Griffonia simplicifolia DC. Baill., is an important West African medicinal plant because the seeds contain high concentrations of 5-hydroxy-L-tryptophan (5-HTP) which are extracted and then purified for use in the dietary supplemental market as an antidepressant, for anxiety, treating fibromyalgia, insomnia and weight loss. Griffonia see...

Introduction Le resveratrol (trans-3,4’,5-trihydroxystilbene) est un polyphénol naturel capable d’induire la dégradation du peptide beta-amyloïde (Abeta), le constituant majeur des plaques séniles formées au cours de la maladie d’Alzheimer. En plus de ses activités anti-oxydantes et anti-inflammatoires, des études ont démontrées que le resveratrol...

The objectives of this study were to assess and improve the quality of the hibiscus calyces from Senegal over 2 production seasons (2004 to 2005), to develop and adapt new procedures for the determination of hibiscus anthocyanins and analysis of the 2 major ones, delphinidin-3-sambubioside and cyanidin-3-sambubioside. The foreign matter, total ashe...

Anthocyanins are a class of polyphenols responsible for the orange, red, purple and blue colors of many fruits, vegetables, grains, flowers and other plants. Consumption of anthocyanins has been linked as protective agents against many chronic diseases and possesses strong antioxidant properties leading to a variety of health benefits. In this revi...

Proanthocyanidins (PACs) in areca nut (Areca catechu L.) were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) combined with electrospray-ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) and compared to grape seed extract. Under optimized conditions, the separated PACs were individually analyzed and identified on the basis of their [M+H]+ peaks. The...

Natural extracts have attracted considerable attention for development into effective inhibitors against the formation of genotoxic heterocyclic amines (HAs) in processed foods. In this study, four fruit extracts (apple, elderberry, grape seed, and pineapple) were evaluated for their effects on HA formation in fried beef patties. Apple and grape se...

Nepetalactones, the major chemical components of catnip (Nepeta cataria L.), were analysed by reversed-phase HPLC coupled with UV and MS detection. Two major nepetalactones, Z,E-nepetalactone and E,Z-nepetalactone, were successfully identified and quantified. The linearity range for Z,E-nepetalactone was determined as 0.00655-0.655 mg/mL with a cor...

Catmint (Nepeta spp., Lamiaceae) contains about 150 species and is largely in the horticultural trade as an ornamental. Catnip (N. cataria L.), a short-lived perennial herbaceous plant, is perhaps the best-known species, long recognized as the plant that induces a state of euphoria and stupor in domesticated cats (Clapperton et al. 1994; Herron 200...

A high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (LC/ESI-MS) method under selected ion monitoring mode (SIM) was developed to quantitate the predominant catechins, catechin, epicatechin, epicatechin-3-O-gallate, and epigallocatechin-3-O-gallate, in the medicinal plant catechu (Acacia catechu). Other ma...

A liquid chromatography--mass spectrometry (LC-MS) method with selected ion monitoring (SIM) was developed and validated for the analysis and standardization of artemisinin in Artemisia annua L. This method is simple and accurate and requires only an 11 min per sample running time for the direct detection and quantification of artemisinin, a sesqui...

Fresh grapes and grape products, such as grape wine and grape juice, were analyzed for proanthocyanidins (PACs) using liquid chromatography with electrospray ionization mass spectrometric (MS) detection. PACs were successfully separated and analyzed on the basis of their protonated molecules, allowing the identification of PACs in different degrees...

The analytical methods for the determination of phytoestrogenic compounds in edible plants, plant products and biological matrices are reviewed. The detection, qualitative and quantitative methods based on different chromatographic separations of gas chromatography (GC), high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and capillary electrophoresis (C...

High-performance liquid chromatography coupled with ultraviolet and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (HPLC/UV/ESI-MSD) was applied to the study of isoflavones in both Edamame and Tofu soy varieties, from which the immature fresh soybeans or the mature soybean seeds are consumed, respectively. Positive atmospheric pressure interface (API) M...