Utilization of a natural language processing-based approach to determine the composition of artifact residues.

Background: Determining the composition of artifact residues is a central problem in ancient residue metabolomics. This is done by comparing mass spectral features in common with an experimental artifact and an ancient artifact (standard method). While this method is simple and straightforward, we sought to increase the accuracy of predicting which plant species had been used in which artifacts.

Changes in the Harpagide, Harpagoside, and Verbascoside Content of Field Grown and in Response to Season and Shade.

Pursh and L. are two common species within the Scrophulariaceae family that are endemic to North America. Historically, these species were used by indigenous peoples and colonialists to treat sunburn, sunstroke, frostbite, edema, as well as for blood purification, and in women's health.

Metabolomics-based analysis of miniature flask contents identifies tobacco mixture use among the ancient Maya.

A particular type of miniature ceramic vessel locally known as "veneneras" is occasionally found during archaeological excavations in the Maya Area. To date, only one study of a collection of such containers successfully identified organic residues through coupled chromatography-mass spectrometry methods. That study identified traces of nicotine likely associated with tobacco.

An Ancient Residue Metabolomics-Based Method to Distinguish Use of Closely Related Plant Species in Ancient Pipes.

Residues from ancient artifacts can help identify which plant species were used for their psychoactive properties, providing important information regarding the deep-time co-evolutionary relationship between plants and humans. However, relying on the presence or absence of one or several biomarkers has limited the ability to confidently connect residues to particular plants. We describe a comprehensive metabolomics-based approach that can distinguish closely related species and provide greater confidence in species use determinations.

Biomolecular archaeology reveals ancient origins of indigenous tobacco smoking in North American Plateau.

Chemical analysis of residues contained in the matrix of stone smoking pipes reveal a substantial direct biomolecular record of ancient tobacco () smoking practices in the North American interior northwest (Plateau), in an area where tobacco was often portrayed as a Euro-American-introduced postcontact trade commodity. Nicotine, a stimulant alkaloid and biomarker for tobacco, was identified via ultra-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry in 8 of 12 analyzed pipes and pipe fragments from five sites in the Columbia River Basin, southeastern Washington State. The specimens date from 1200 cal BP to historic times, confirming the deep time continuity of intoxicant use and indigenous smoking practices in northwestern North America.

Iridoid and phenylethanoid/phenylpropanoid metabolite profiles of and species used medicinally in North America.

Introduction: Botanicals containing iridoid and phenylethanoid/phenylpropanoid glycosides are used worldwide for the treatment of inflammatory musculoskeletal conditions that are primary causes of human years lived with disability (YLDs), such as arthritis and lower back pain.

Objectives: We report the analysis of candidate anti-inflammatory metabolites of several endemic species and used medicinally by peoples of North America.

Methods: Leaves, stems, and roots were analyzed by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS) and partial least squares-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) was performed in MetaboAnalyst 3.

Unveiling the anti-inflammatory activity of Sutherlandia frutescens using murine macrophages.

Sutherlandia frutescens is a botanical widely used in southern Africa for treatment of inflammatory and other conditions. Previously, an ethanolic extract of S. frutescens (SFE) has been shown to inhibit the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitric oxide (NO) by murine neurons and a microglia cell line (BV-2 cells).

Inhibition of Gli/hedgehog signaling in prostate cancer cells by "cancer bush" Sutherlandia frutescens extract.

Sutherlandia frutescens is a medicinal plant, traditionally used to treat various types of human diseases, including cancer. Previous studies of several botanicals link suppression of prostate cancer growth with inhibition of the Gli/hedgehog (Gli/Hh) signaling pathway. Here we hypothesized the anti-cancer effect of S.

Isolation of Sutherlandioside B from by Spiral Countercurrent Chromatography.

The introduction of spiral countercurrent chromatography in the last few years using new separation columns such as the spiral tubing support rotor has enabled the application of more polar volatile solvent systems for natural products separation. This method can be applied to water soluble compounds and their metabolites. We have used spiral countercurrent chromatography with the spiral tubing support rotor to fractionate -butanol extracts of an African plant and have determined conditions by which the predominant cycloartane glycoside (sutherlandioside B) can be purified in good yield.