Liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry of malonyl-ginsenosides in the authentication of ginseng

Different negative ion electrospray (ES) source conditions are required to concentrate the ion current in [M-H](-) for malonylated and non-malonylated ginsenosides. However, both can be ionised optimally in a single liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) analysis by employing switchable voltages in the post-source ion optics of a quadrupole ion trap mass spectrometer. Coupled with automatic MS/MS scanning and post-acquisition neutral loss data analysis, this method provides a means of profiling the malonylated and acetylated ginsenosides in ginseng extracts. Analyses revealed numerous malonylated ginsenosides that could be partially characterised by serial MS/MS experiments. The ratio of mRb(1) to other isomeric forms present and to mRb(2) and mRc appears to show consistent differences among Panax ginseng (Asian ginseng), P. quinquefolius (American ginseng) and P. notoginseng (Sanchi ginseng). The ratio of malonylated to non-malonylated ginsenosides is reduced in the red form of Asian ginseng compared with the white form and there is a concomitant increase in the levels of the corresponding acetylated ginsenosides. The ability to analyse malonylated ginsenosides is an important contribution to the range of chemical characteristics that can be used to authenticate the different species of ginseng and will assist in quality control and standardisation.     

液相色谱-大气压化学电离质谱法分析人参中的人参皂甙

研究了用反相高效液相色谱-大气压化学电离质谱(HPLC/APCI-MS)分析人参皂甙的方法。液相色谱采用乙腈-水流动相进行梯度洗脱,质谱采用正负离子同时扫描并结合二级质谱进行定性,用选择反应离子模式(SRM)测定检测限。实验发现虽然人参皂甙是热不稳定物质,但在大气压化学电离质谱的高温汽化过程中仍能检测到很强的负离子分子离子峰,而且随着汽化温度的升高,人参皂甙的负离子分子离子峰的强度增加。该方法对人参皂甙Rb1和Rg1的检测限分别为1.2×10-13 g和3.0×10-14 g,并检测出白参中包括丙二酰人参皂甙在内的29种人参皂甙。该法灵敏度高,重复性好,结果准确,能有效地对药材提取物中的多种人参皂甙进行检测和结构分析。     

固相萃取-超高效液相色谱-串联质谱法检测保健食品中9种人参皂苷

建立了以固相萃取结合超高效液相色谱-串联质谱(UPLC-MS/MS)同时检测保健食品中9种原人参二醇型和原人参三醇型人参皂苷的方法。保健食品中人参皂苷经过提取后,通过Alumina-N/XAD-2 SPE柱净化,在Hypersil Gold C18色谱柱(100 mm×2.1 mm, 1.9 μm)上分离,利用乙酸铵溶液(含0.1%甲酸)和乙腈作为流动相进行梯度洗脱,采用负离子扫描,多反应监测模式测定,外标法定量。研究通过对不同填料的固相萃取小柱的考察,最终选择了Alumina-N/XAD-2复合填料,其能对保健食品复杂基质中的人参皂苷进行有效富集和净化;通过考察人参皂苷的电离裂解过程,确定人参皂苷一级质谱准分子离子和相应的碎片离子,并经过色谱条件的优化,使质谱条件下一级质谱准分子离子和相应的碎片离子均一致的3种原人参二醇型人参皂苷Rb2、Rb3、Rc同分异构体实现完全分离。结果表明,9种人参皂苷在0.005~0.5 μg/mL范围内具有很好的线性关系,相关系数均大于0.9950。方法的加标回收率为81.1%~114.2%,相对标准偏差为0.4%~8.0%。所建立的方法采用XAD-2大孔吸附树脂和中性氧化铝的复合固相萃取材料,保健食品经过简单提取可直接作为固相萃取的上样溶液进行人参皂苷的富集和净化,通过超高效液相色谱-串联质谱不仅缩短了分析时间,也能对复杂基质样品中含量相对较低的人参皂苷进行准确定性和定量。该方法通量高,简单快速,重复性好,适用于保健食品中9种人参皂苷的定性和定量分析。     

The use of linear ion trap for qualitative analysis of phytochemicals in Korean ginseng tea

A new approach to qualitative analysis of ginsenosides in challenging matrices was developed on the basis of high‐performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry. Using the extracts from samples of ginseng tea, the approach was validated. Analysis of extracts was carried out using a reversed‐phase chromatography with SB‐C₁₈ sorbent. For compound identification, electrospray ionization and a quadrupole/linear ion trap mass‐spectrometer in different modes were used. A meticulous study of the fragmentation of ginsenosides in the linear ion trap and its application for analysis of these compounds was performed in this work. The accuracy of the identification was proven with standards of ginsenosides Rb1, Rg1, Re, Rf, Rd, Rb2, Rb3 and Rc. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Determination of ginsenosides (ginseng saponins) in dry root powder from Panax ginseng, Panax quinquefolius, and selected commercial products by liquid chromatography: interlaboratory study

Twelve collaborating laboratories assayed 4 products, namely, Panax ginseng, Panax quinquefolius, and 2 ginseng products, for 6 ginsenosides: Rb1, Rb2, Rc, Rd, Re, and Rg1. Collaborators also received a negative control for the recovery study. Pure ginsenosides were provided as reference standards for the liquid chromatography (LC) analysis and the system suitability tests. The LC analyses were performed on the methanol extract using UV detection at 203 nm. For P. ginseng, individual ginsenosides were consistent in their means; repeatability standard deviations (RSDr) ranged from 4.17 to 5.09% and reproducibility standard deviations (RSDR) ranged from 7.27 to 11.3%. For P. quinquefolius, the Rb1 and Rb2 ginsenosides were higher and lower in concentration than P. ginseng, with RSDr values of 3.44 and 6.60% and RSDR values of 5.91 and 12.6% respectively, and other analytes at intermediate precisions. For ginseng commercial products, RSDr values ranged from 3.39 to 8.12%, and RSDR values ranged from 7.65 to 16.5%. A recovery study was also conducted for 3 ginsenosides: Rg1, Re, and Rb1. The average recoveries were 99.9, 96.2, and 92.3%, respectively. The method is not applicable for the determination of Rg1 and Re in ginseng product at levels <300 mg/kg.     

Analysis of Low-polar Ginsenosides in Steamed Panax Ginseng at High-temperature by HPLC-ESI-MS/MS

A high performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry( HPLC-ESI-MS/MS) method was developed for the analysis and identification of ginsenosides in the extracts of raw Panax ginseng(RPG) and steamed Panax ginseng at high temperatures(SPGHT). A total of 25 ginsenosides were extracted include of which 10 low-polar ginsenosides, such as ginsenosides F4, Rk3, Rh4, 20S-Rg3, 20R-Rg3 and so on, were identified according to their HPLC retention time and MS/MS data. The results indicated that the low polar ginsenosides were seldom found in RPG. For the exploration of the transformation pattern of the ginsenosides in steam processing, the standards of ginsenosides Re, Rg1, Rb1, Rc, Rb2, Rb3 and Rd were selected and hydrolyzed at a temperature of 120 ℃. The results show that these polar ginsenosides can be converted to low-polar ginsenosides such as Rg2, Rg6, F4, Rk3 and Rg5 by hydrolyzing the sugar chains.     

亲水作用液相色谱脱除人参提取物中农药残留

亲水作用液相色谱法(HILIC)是一种用于改善强极性物质的保留和分离选择性的方法,广泛应用于药物分析、代谢组学、蛋白质组学等领域。该文利用农药分子与皂苷成分在HILIC上的保留行为差异,开发了一种农药残留脱除方法。以市售高纯人参提取物为例,该文评价了农药分子和人参皂苷在亲水色谱柱上的保留行为,并考察了上样量、淋洗体积、上样体积等因素对农残脱除效果的影响。实验结果证明:7种人参皂苷由于糖链上的羟基与亲水色谱固定相上的羧基形成氢键作用而具有较强保留,而农药分子由于亲水性较差且相对分子质量较小,保留很弱,从而一步实现了7种人参皂苷的富集与14种农残的脱除。在优化所得的最佳脱除工艺条件下,最终制备得到的人参总皂苷样品中,总皂苷的含量由59.87%提高到69.61%;总皂苷的回收率为94.4%;通过气相色谱-三重四极杆质谱(GC-MS/MS)对样品中的农残进行定量检测,发现原人参提取物中14种农残均得到了有效脱除,其中5种含量降至0.05 mg/kg以下,9种完全脱除。本研究是亲水色谱在中药提取物中农残脱除领域的应用,为天然产物的精制提供了一种新的技术手段,该技术对人参提取物中的农残脱除率高、人参总皂苷回收率高且安全、高效、无污染,为高品质人参提取物的研制提供了新的思路。     

Development of a rapid and convenient method to separate eight ginsenosides from Panax ginseng by high-speed counter-current chromatography coupled with evaporative light scattering detection

Ginsenosides exhibit diverse biological activities and are major well-known components isolated from the radix of Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer. In the present work, a rapid and facile method for the separation and purification of eight ginsenosides from P. ginseng by high-speed counter-current chromatography coupled with evaporative light scattering detector (HSCCC-ELSD) was successfully developed. The crude samples for HSCCC separation were first purified from ginseng extract using a macroporous resin; the extract was loaded onto a Diaion-HP20 column and fractionated by methanol and water gradient elution. The ginsenosides-protopanaxadiol (PPD) and protopanaxatriol (PPT) fractions were subsequently eluted with 65 and 80% methanol and water gradient elution, respectively. Furthermore, these two fractions were separated by HSCCC-ELSD. The two-phase solvent system used for separation was composed of chloroform/methanol/water/isopropanol at a volume ratio of 4:3:2:1. Each fraction obtained was collected and dried, yielding the following eight ginsenosides: Rg(1), Re, Rf, Rh(1), Rb(1), Rc Rb(2) and Rd. The purity of these ginsenosides was greater than 97% as assessed by HPLC-ELSD, and their structures were characterized by electrospray-ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. This is the first report regarding the separation of the ginsenosides Rh(1), Rb(2) and Rc from P. ginseng by HSCCC.     

A method for the analysis of ginsenosides, malonyl ginsenosides, and hydrolyzed ginsenosides using high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet and positive mode electrospray ionization mass spectrometric detection

A high-performance liquid chromatographic separation coupled to diode array absorbance and positive mode electrospray mass spectrometric detection has been developed for the analysis of ginsenosides, malonyl ginsenosides, and hydrolyzed ginsenosides in extracts of Asian ginseng (Panax ginseng) and American ginseng (P. quinquefolius). The method is capable of separating, identifying, and quantifying the predominant ginsenosides found in heated alcoholic extracts of Asian and American ginseng roots routinely sold as nutraceuticals. It also separates and identifies the malonyl ginsenosides often found in cold alcoholic extracts of ginseng root and has the potential to quantify these compounds if pure standards are available. Furthermore, it can separate and identify ginsenoside hydrolysis products such as those readily produced in situations mimicking gastric situations, including those used for dissolution studies (i.e., 0.1 N HCl, 37 degrees C).     

HPLC-MS结合多元统计分析区分人参产地及筛选皂苷类标志物

利用高效液相色谱-质谱联用(HPLC-MS)技术结合多元统计分析方法, 区分中国人参主产区5个不同产地的45个人参样本, 筛选出差异性皂苷类标志物. 根据人参总皂苷在反相C₁₈色谱柱中的洗脱顺序, 结合串联质谱分析和标准品比对, 在提取的人参总皂苷中鉴定出15种原人参三醇型、 24种原人参二醇型和2种齐墩果酸型共41种皂苷. 对人参总皂苷的HPLC-MS全扫描数据进行了多元统计分析. 正交偏最小二乘-判别分析(OPLS-DA)结果表明, 所建立的分析模型具有良好的数据描述能力和预测能力. 所有人参样本能够根据产地被区分, 并筛选得到同时区分5个产地的差异性皂苷类组分18种; 能够区分任意2个产地人参样本的差异性组分主要为在人参中含量较高的人参皂苷Rb1, Rg1, Re, Rc, Rd, Ro和m-Rb1等. 分层聚类分析(HCA)结果显示, 黑龙江和吉林两省的样本能够独自聚类, 但是绥化市的样本更接近于吉林省. 初步推断原因为绥化市地理位置较接近吉林省, 两地人参生长环境相似并可能存在种质资源交换.     

A quantified ginseng (Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer) extract influences lipid acquisition and increases adiponectin expression in 3T3-L1 cells

A Panax ginseng extract (PGE) with a quantified amount of ginsenosides was utilized to investigate its potential to inhibit proliferation, influence lipid acquisition and adiponectin expression in 3T3-L1 cells. Seven fingerprint ginsenosides were quantified using high performance liquid chromatography and their respective molecular weights were further confirmed via LC-ESI-MS analysis from four different extraction methods. Extraction using methanol under reflux produced significantly higher amounts of ginsenosides. The methanol extract consisted of Rg1 (47.40 ± 4.28 mg/g, dry weight of extract), Re (61.62 ± 5.10 mg/g), Rf (6.14 ± 0.28 mg/g), Rb1 (21.73 ± 1.29 mg/g), Rc (78.79 ± 4.15 mg/g), Rb2 (56.80 ± 3.79 mg/g), Rd (5.90 ± 0.41 mg/g). MTT analysis showed that PGE had a concentration-dependent cytotoxic effect on 3T3-L1 preadipocyte and the LC(50) value was calculated to be 18.2 ± 5 μg/mL. Cell cycle analysis showed minimal changes in all four phases. Differentiating adipocytes treated with ginseng extract had a visible decrease in lipid droplets formation measured by Oil red O staining. Consequently, triglycerides levels in media significantly (P < 0.05) decreased by 39.5% and 46.1% when treated at concentrations of 1 μg/mL and 10 μg/mL compared to untreated control cells. Western blot analysis showed that the adiponectin protein expression was significantly (P < 0.05) increased at 10 μg/mL, but not at 1 μg/mL. A quantified PGE reduced the growth of 3T3-L1 cells, down-regulated lipid accumulation and up-regulated adiponectin expression in the 3T3-L1 adipocyte cell model.     

高效液相色谱-飞行时间质谱联用法分析人参及人参皂苷与山楂配伍过程中的水解行为

利用高效液相色谱-飞行时间质谱联用的方法,分别对人参配伍山楂前后人参皂苷的变化进行分析,同时对人参皂苷Re、Rg1、Rb1、Rd与山楂配伍的水解规律进行系统研究,并与单独煎煮液、仿山楂配伍pH值煎煮液的水解产物进行比较,结果发现人参与山楂配伍后人参皂苷Rg1、Rb1含量明显减少,而人参皂苷Re、Rd、Rg2、Rg3、F2、Rh1含量明显增加,其中人参皂苷Re与山楂配伍后水解产物为人参皂苷20(R)-Rg2、20(S)-Rg2,仿山楂配伍pH值水解产物为人参皂苷20(R)-Rg2、20(S)-Rg2、Rg4、Rg6;人参皂苷Rg1与山楂配伍后水解产物为20(S)-Rh1、20(R)-Rh1,仿山楂pH值水解产物为20(S)-Rh1、20(R)-Rh1、Rh4、Rk3;人参皂苷Rb1与山楂配伍后水解产物为Rd、20(S)-Rg3,仿山楂pH值水解产物为F2、20(S)-Rg3;人参皂苷Rd与山楂配伍后水解产物为F2、20(S)-Rg3、20(R)-Rg3,仿山楂pH值水解产物为20(S)-Rg3、20(R)-Rg3。研究表明,不同人参皂苷和山楂配伍后与仿山楂pH值的水解产物并不相同,人参与山楂配伍改变了人参皂苷成分的种类及含量。本研究为临床方剂中人参与山楂配伍后成分的变化提供物质基础数据。     

Isolation, synthesis and structures of cytotoxic ginsenoside derivatives

Four known ginsenosides: ginsenoside-Rb1 (1), Rb3 (2), Rd (3) and Re (4) were isolated from the methanolic extract of the traditional Chinese medicine Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer. Further enzyme reactions and chemical modifications led us to obtain ginsenoside-M1 (5) and synthesize three novel mono-esters of ginsenoside-M1, ginsenoside-DM1 (6), PM1 (7) and SM1 (8) 30 - 50% of yield via a facile and green synthetic strategy. The structures were elucidated on the basis of extensive 1D- and 2DNMR, as well as high resolution ESI-TOF mass spectroscopic analyses. The isolated and synthetic compounds were tested in an anti-tumor bioassay, and compounds 5-8 showed considerable cytotoxicity (SRB) against several human cancer cell lines (breast cancer MCF-7, skin melanoma SK-MEL-2 and human ovarian carcinoma B16), but moderate effects on lung carcinoma COR-L23. The other ginsenosides showed no effects.     

Evaluation of Metabolite Profiles of Ginseng Berry Pomace Obtained after Different Pressure Treatments and Their Correlation with the Antioxidant Activity

Ginseng berry pomace (GBP) is a byproduct of ginseng berry processing and is rich in numerous bioactive components, including ginsenosides and their derivatives. The application of GBP as a beneficial biomaterial is currently limited. In this study, we aimed to evaluate their potential as a promising source of bioactive compounds using metabolite profiling. The GBP obtained after different ultra-high-pressure (UHP) treatments was analyzed by GC-TOF-MS and UHPLC-LTQ-Orbitrap-MS/MS. In multivariate analyses, we observed a clear demarcation between the control and UHP-treated groups. The results demonstrated that the relative abundance of primary metabolites and a few ginsenosides was higher in the control, whereas UHP treatment contained higher levels of fatty acids and sugars. Furthermore, GBPs were fractionated using different solvents, followed by UHPLC-LTQ-Orbitrap-MS/MS analyses. The heatmap revealed that phenolics (e.g., quercetin, kaempferol) and fewer polar ginsenosides (e.g., F4, Rh2) were abundant in the ethyl acetate fraction, whereas the levels of lignans (e.g., 7-hydroxysecoisolariciresinol, syringaresinol) and fatty acids (e.g., trihydroxy-octadecenoic acid, oxo-dihydroxy-octadecenoic acid) were high in chloroform. Correlation analysis showed that phenolics, less polar ginsenosides, and fatty acids were positively correlated with the antioxidant activity of GBP. Our study highlights GBP as a functional ingredient for the development of high-quality ginseng berry products.     

超高效液相色谱-飞行时间质谱快速分析人参根中的皂甙化合物

建立了超高效液相色谱-飞行时间质谱快速分析人参根部提取物中的皂甙类化合物的方法。色谱柱为HSS T3超高效液相色谱柱(100 mm×2.1 mm, 1.8 μm);以15 mmol/L甲酸铵水溶液-乙腈为流动相,采用二元梯度洗脱的方式对人参主根的皂甙提取物进行分离。基于待测目标物的多级质谱碎片离子、精确质量等信息,结合9种人参皂甙标准化合物的多级质谱碎片离子质谱图,共鉴定出人参主根提取物中27种皂甙类化合物。在确定的条件下,以9种人参皂甙标样为研究对象,进行了全面的方法学考察,发现它们的线性范围分别为0.33～9.00 mg/L (Rg1), 0.11～9.00 mg/L (Re), 0.02～2.00 mg/L (Rf), 0.07～6.00 mg/L (Rg2), 0.04～3.00 mg/L (Rb1, Rb3), 0.22～6.00 mg/L (Rc), 0.04～9.00 mg/L (Rb2, Rd);在中等加标浓度时,经内标物峰面积校正的9种皂甙标准化合物的峰面积的相对标准偏差(RSD)不高于11.3%;低、中、高3个质量浓度加标水平的回收率范围分别为90%～100%、98%～104%及96%～103%;最低检出限为3.5～18.5 μg/L。该方法具有高分辨、快捷、简便、可靠等特点,并成功地应用于分析同一产地、不同生长时间的人参干燥主根中皂甙的差异。可以预计此方法可进一步应用于各种人参原料和制品中皂甙的快速测定。     

Isolation and determination of ginsenosides in American ginseng leaves and root extracts by LC-MS

Ginseng saponins (ginsenosides) were extracted from the root and leaves of locally cultivated American ginseng (Panax quinquefolium L.). For the isolation of compounds from plant samples three different extraction methods were utilized: accelerated solvent extraction, the ultrasound-assisted solvent extraction and mechanical shaking assisted solvent extraction. The separation of compounds was achieved with a water–acetonitrile gradient system using a C18 reversed-phase column. Target compounds were identified in MS² and MS³ experiments. The relative distribution of these ginsenosides in each root and leaf extract was established. The limit of detection of the method was less than 30 ng/ml. Recovery of ginseng saponins in spiked samples exceeded 80%, while the relative standard deviation ranged from 7.1 to 9.1%. The total concentrations of ginsenosides were 41 and 13 mg/g in root and leaves.     

液质联用技术研究人参与干姜或赤芍配伍前后人参皂苷及其抗氧化活性的变化

采用高效液相色谱与电喷雾质谱联用技术(HPLC-ESI-MS),对不同质量比的人参与干姜或赤芍配伍过程中人参皂苷的变化进行了研究,发现随加入的干姜量增加,共煎液中的人参皂苷含量依次降低;少量的赤芍可以使各皂苷的溶出量增加;同时测定了人参单煎液、人参与干姜、赤芍共煎液中正丁醇提取物和水提物的抗氧化活性。 以抗坏血酸(500 μmol/L)作对照,人参与干姜、赤芍配伍溶液的抗氧化活性比人参单煎液要好,同时人参与干姜、赤芍共煎液中正丁醇提取物的FRAP(铁离子还原/抗氧化能力测定)值分别为1562.29和2969.78 μmol/L,高于人参与2种药单煎液（1260.27和2502.07 μmol/L）之和。     

人参皂苷的仿生提取研究

通过体外模拟胃肠道环境,建立一种提取人参皂苷的仿生方法。考察了提取条件对配制的仿生胃液和仿生肠液提取人参皂苷浓度的影响。基于高效液相色谱-三重四极杆质谱的多反应监测模式建立定量分析Re,Rg1,20(S)-Rf,Rb1,Ro,Rc,Rb2,Rd等8种人参皂苷的方法,并比较了仿生和超声两种提取方法的人参皂苷提取效率。结果显示,仿生胃液提取的人参皂苷浓度略高于仿生肠液。优化的仿生提取条件为:液固比15:1,37.0℃回流提取60 min。在优化的条件下,仿生提取人参皂苷浓度比超声提取提高了10.4%~56.9%。仿生提取法不需要使用有机溶剂,是快速提取人参皂苷的有效方法。     

Preparative isolation and purification of ginsenosides Rf,Re, Rd and Rb1 from the roots of Panax ginseng with a salt/containing solvent system and flow step-gradient by high performance counter-current chromatography coupled with an evaporative light scattering detector

Ginseng is a popular herb worldwide and has had varied uses in traditional Asian medicine for thousands of years. There are several different species of the herb, but all share the same constituents. Ginsenosides, the most extensively studied chemical components of ginseng, are generally considered to be one of the most important active ingredients of the plant. In this study, we have developed fast and efficient methodology for isolation of four known ginsenosides Rf, Rd, Re and Rb1 from Ginseng by high performance counter-current chromatography (HPCCC) coupled with evaporative light scattering detection (ELSD). The crude sample for HPCCC was purified firstly from a ginseng extraction using macroporous resin. The enriched saponin fraction (480 mg) was separated by using methylene chloride–methanol–5 mM aqueous ammonium acetate–isopropanol (6:2:4:3, v/v,) as the two-phase solvent system and yielded 10.7 mg of Rf, 11.0 mg of Rd, 13.4 mg of Re and 13.9 mg of Rb1. The purity of these ginsenosides was 99.2%, 88.3%, 93.7% and 91.8%, respectively assessed by HPLC-DAD-ELSD, and their structures were characterized by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) and compared with standards. Ammonium acetate was used to shorten the separation time and eliminate emulsification together with a flow step-gradient. The salt can be removed by re-dissolving the sample using acetone.