Differentiation of three pairs of aconite alkaloid isomers from Aconitum nagarum var. lasiandrum by electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry

Three pairs of isomers of aconite alkaloids from Aconitum nagarum var. lasiandrum have been investigated by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) and tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) employing ion-trap and quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometers in positive mode. Based on the differences of their fragmentation pathways and special fragment ions, three pairs of isomers of aconite alkaloids were differentiated. In addition, fragmentation laws of some veatchines and the discrepancy of fragmentation mechanisms between veatchine-type and aconitine-type alkaloid were also concluded. In the case of veatchines, a radical would be formed by homolysis of C18--C4 or C18--H bonds, followed by elimination of a series of C(2)H(2) and C(2)H(4). Moreover, the retro-Diels-Alder (RDA) reaction occurred in the E-ring and double-electron transfer triggered by the positive charge on C1 led to the formation of diagnostic ions at m/z 216. With regard to aconitine-type alkaloids, the N-substituent is not eliminated easily. Although there is no carbonyl group on some aconitine-type alkaloids, with hydroxyl and methoxyl on C15 and C16 respectively, CO was readily eliminated through tautomerization.     

液相色谱-质谱法研究附子生物碱的煎煮减毒机理

建立了基于液相色谱-质谱分析的附子中生物碱指纹分析方法,并将其应用于附子煎煮减毒的机理研究。基于质谱特征鉴定了生物碱标准品在加热回流过程中产生的6种降解产物,确定了双酯型生物碱的煎煮条件降解规律。在此基础上研究了附子饮片煎煮不同时间条件下生物碱的指纹变化,结果表明,长时间煎煮可明显降低双酯型生物碱和生物脂碱的浓度,为附子的安全用药提供了科学依据。     

Exploring the ester-exchange reactions of diester-diterpenoid alkaloids in the aconite decoction process by electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry

The chemical components in the decoctions of Chinese herbal medicines are not always the same as those in the crude herbs because of the insolubility or instability of some compounds. In this work electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry was used to explore the ester-exchange reactions for aconitine-type diester-diterpenoid alkaloids occurring during the process of decocting aconite root. The aconitines were screened in a diverse range of samples, including crude aconite, decoction of crude aconite, residues from decoction of crude aconite, prepared aconite, decoction of prepared aconite, decoction of prepared aconite with added palmitic acid, and decoction of a mixture of mesaconitine and hypaconitine standards with liquorice root. It was found that diester-diterpenoid aconitines were converted into lipo-alkaloids as well as monoester alkaloids by the decoction of aconite.     

Atmospheric pressure ionisation mass spectrometric fragmentation pathways of noscapine and papaverine revealed by multistage mass spectrometry and in-source deuterium labelling

Two opium alkaloids, noscapine and papaverine, show good response as [M+H]+ ions in positive ion electrospray mass spectrometry and atmospheric pressure chemical ionisation mass spectrometry. The two compounds exhibit markedly different fragmentation pathways and behaviour under multistage mass spectrometry (MSn), with papaverine displaying a wealth of ions in MS2 and noscapine providing a single dominant ion at each stage of MSn prior to MS4. Elucidation of the fragmentation pathways using the MSn capability of the ion trap was aided by spraying the analytes in 2H2O to incorporate an isotopic label. Simplex optimisation allowed optimum trapping and fragmentation parameters to be determined, leading to a six-fold improvement in response for one transition and a seven-fold improvement for one transition sequence.     

Rapid determination of yunaconitine and related alkaloids in aconites and aconite‐containing drugs by ultra high‐performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry

Yunaconitine (YAC) is a toxic aconite alkaloid that is considered to be a hidden aconite poison since it is frequently found in body fluids from aconite poisoning patients, but has not been well studied in commonly used herbal drugs. In this paper, a rapid and sensitive ultra high‐performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC‐MS/MS) detection combined with microwave‐assisted extraction (MAE) was developed for high throughput simultaneous determination of YAC and six other toxic aconite alkaloids in 31 samples of crude, processed aconites and aconite‐containing drugs. The optimized method showed excellent linearity, precision, accuracy and recovery for all target compounds with short run time. YAC was detected in some samples with contents from 0.015 to 10.41 mg/g. This is the first report on the determination of YAC in Radix Aconiti, Radix Aconiti Kusnezoffii and aconite‐containing drugs. This newly developed method facilitates the rapid screening of YAC and related toxic aconite alkaloids and allows YAC to be used as a chemical marker for the quality control of aconites and aconite‐containing drugs. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

LC Separation and Determination of Five Diester-Diterpenoid Alkaloids in the Unprocessed and Processed Aconite Roots

A reliable liquid chromatographic method with photodiode array detector (DAD) was developed and validated for simultaneous separation and determination of five diester-diterpenoid alkaloids in the aconite roots. The separation was successfully performed on a Zorbax Extend-C₁₈ column with a mobile phase gradient prepared from methanol and ammonia solution at a flow rate of 1.0 mL min^?1. Good linearity (r > 0.999) was observed over the concentration ranges investigated, and intra-day and inter-day precision were high. The mean recoveries of five components ranged from 90.45 to 102.63% and relative standard deviations were always <5%. The validated method was successfully used for simultaneous determination of the five diester-diterpenoid alkaloids of unprocessed and processed aconite roots. The quantitative method provided a scientific basis for safety assurance and clinical application of aconite roots.     

LC Separation and Determination of Five Diester-Diterpenoid Alkaloids in the Unprocessed and Processed Aconite Roots

A reliable liquid chromatographic method with photodiode array detector (DAD) was developed and validated for simultaneous separation and determination of five diester-diterpenoid alkaloids in the aconite roots. The separation was successfully performed on a Zorbax Extend-C₁₈ column with a mobile phase gradient prepared from methanol and ammonia solution at a flow rate of 1.0 mL min⁻¹. Good linearity (r > 0.999) was observed over the concentration ranges investigated, and intra-day and inter-day precision were high. The mean recoveries of five components ranged from 90.45 to 102.63% and relative standard deviations were always <5%. The validated method was successfully used for simultaneous determination of the five diester-diterpenoid alkaloids of unprocessed and processed aconite roots. The quantitative method provided a scientific basis for safety assurance and clinical application of aconite roots.

     

High performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis of protoberberine alkaloids in medicine herbs

RP-HPLC is the main method for the analysis of alkaloids. However, peak tailing is a problem that commonly occurs in the separation of alkaloids. In order to overcome this, three kinds of RP columns were compared for the analysis of protoberberine alkaloids in Coptidis Rhizoma and Phellodendri Cortex in this work. XTerra MS C18 column was the best one which gave the best symmetry factor under the same conditions. With this column, a good separation of the crude extracts of C. Rhizoma and P. Cortex was achieved using 0.1% v/v formic acid buffer and methanol as mobile phase. At the same time, the crude extracts of C. Rhizoma and P. Cortex were analyzed by the LC-ESI-MSn and LC-atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI)-MSn methods. In the analysis of HPLC-ESI/MSn, structures of five protoberberine alkaloids were elucidated, compared to authentic standards, and data from the literature. At the same time, the structure of a novel compound was elucidated. In the HPLC-APCI/ MSn analysis, there was an interesting phenomenon that the relative abundance of the ions M+ and [M + 2]+ was different for different alkaloids. The possible fragmentation pathways of protoberberine alkaloids in APCI/MS analysis were studied for the first time in the present work.     

复方中药四逆汤中乌头碱类二萜生物碱的电喷雾串联质谱研究

利用电喷雾串联质谱方法不经柱分离而直接分析复方中药四逆汤中二萜生物碱的组成,乌头碱类二萜生物碱在质谱条件下形成质子化分子,一种生物碱对应一个分子离子峰.检测到了苯甲酰单酯型、双酯型和脂类生物碱等18种二萜生物碱,其中苯甲酰中乌头原碱等单酯型生物碱是四逆汤中的主要生物碱成分.     

Simultaneous determination of six Aconitum alkaloids in proprietary Chinese medicines by high-performance liquid chromatography

By optimizing the extraction, separation and analytical conditions, a reliable and accurate high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method coupled with photodiode array detector (DAD) was developed for simultaneous quantitative determination of six Aconitum alkaloids, i.e., aconitine, mesaconitine, hypaconitine, benzoylaconine, benzoylmesaconine and benzoylhypaconine, in Chinese medicinal herbs, aconite roots, and 12 proprietary Chinese medicines containing processed aconite roots. The separation of these Aconitum alkaloids was achieved on an ODS column with gradient elution using solvents of acetonitrile and ammonium bicarbonate buffer (pH 10.0+/-0.2). Intra-assay and inter-assay precision of the analytes were less than 2.97%, and the average recovery rates obtained were in the range of 90-103% for all with RSDs below 3.28%. Good linear relationships were showed with correlation coefficients for the analytes exceeded 0.999. Quantitative analysis of the six Aconitum alkaloids in the unprocessed and processed aconite roots and in twelve proprietary Chinese medicines containing processed aconite roots showed that the contents of the alkaloids varied significantly. This method and quantitation results can provide a scientific and technical platform to the products manufacturers for setting up a quality control standard as well as to the public for quality and safety assurance of the proprietary Chinese medicines and other herbal preparations containing aconite roots.     

Structural characterization and identification of C19‐ and C20‐diterpenoid alkaloids in roots of Aconitum carmichaeli by rapid‐resolution liquid chromatography coupled with time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry

Aconite alkaloids from the roots of Aconitum carmichaeli (Fuzi, in Chinese) have been investigated by rapid‐resolution liquid chromatography coupled with time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (TOFMS) in positive mode. With dynamic adjustment of the key role as fragmentor voltage in TOFMS, an efficient transmission of the ions was achieved to obtain the best sensitivity for providing the molecular formula for each analyte, and abundant fragment ions for structural information. Fifteen authentic standards isolated from Fuzi with various structures were first characterized by TOFMS, including diester‐diterpenoid alkaloids (DDAs), monoester‐diterpenoid alkaloids (MDAs), alkylol amine‐diterpenoid alkaloids (ADAs), veatchine‐type alkaloids and atisine‐type alkaloids. Fragmentation rules and key diagnostic fragment ions have been summarized, and possible pathways of fragmentation have been proposed. By accurate mass measurements within 5 ppm error for each ion, 30 C₁₉‐diterpenoid alkaloids including 10 DDAs, 3 MDAs, 9 ADAs and 8 other type alkaloids, and 8 C₂₀‐diterpenoid alkaloids including 4 veatchine‐type alkaloids and 4 atisine‐type alkaloids could be identified in a methanolic extract of Fuzi. Some isomers of aconite alkaloids were also differentiated. Based on the differences between their fragmentation pathways and special fragment ions, each type of aconite alkaloids was differentiated. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometric study of the aconitines in the roots of aconite

Fragmentation pathways of aconitine-type alkaloids were investigated by electrospray ionization/ion trap multistage tandem mass spectrometry. Low-energy collision-induced dissociation of protonated aconitines follows a dominant first step, the elimination of the C(8)-substituent as acetic acid or fatty acid in MS(2) spectra. Successive losses of 1-4 CH(3)OH molecules, 1-3 H(2)O, CO, benzoic acid, and CH(3) or C(2)H(5) (N-substituents) are all fragmentation pathways observed in MS(3) and MS(4) spectra. By applying knowledge of these fragmentation pathways to the aconitines in the ethanolic extract of aconite roots, all the known aconitines were detected and also 23 unknown aconitine-type alkaloids, in which the lipo-alkaloids containing residues of 15C, 17C and 19C saturated or unsaturated fatty acids were characterized. These odd-carbon-number fatty acid substituents have not been reported previously.     

Rapid structural characterization of isomeric benzo[c]phenanthridine alkaloids from the roots of Zanthoxylum nitidium by liquid chromatography combined with electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry

The fragmentation mechanism of six alkaloids, namely: dihydronitidine, dihydrochelerythrine, 8-acetonyldihydronitidine, 8-acetonyldrochelerythrine, nitidine and 1,3-bis(8-dihydronitidinyl)acetone, was investigated by electrospray ionization multi-stage tandem mass spectrometry (ESI-MSn). Tandem mass spectrometry experiments indicated that different substitution sites of the methoxyl groups at C-9 and C-10 or at C-10 and C-11 determined the different abundances of the MS2 fragmentation ions using the same collision energy. According to the different abundances of MS2 product ions, positional isomeric benzo[c]phenanthridine alkaloids can be differentiated. Moreover, ten constituents in the crude alkaloidol extract from the roots of Zanthoxylum nitidium were rapidly identified by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC/MSn), through comparing the retention times and ESI-MSn spectra with the authentic standards. This work demonstrates that not only the characteristic fragments but also the characteristic abundances of the fragment ions can be used for detailed structural characterization.     

高效液相色谱/质谱联用技术在天然来源生物活性成分快速识别中的应用

天然来源生物活性成分是药物先导分子的重要源泉之一,它们种类繁多,结构复杂多样,逐一分离提取纯化然后进行结构分析鉴定的这一传统植物化学(天然药物化学)研究模式尽管已沿袭多年,但往往费时费力,目标性不强,且常常忽略含量甚少的微量成分.高效液相色谱及多级质谱联用技术(HPLC/MSn)兼顾了色谱的高效分离能力和质谱的强大定性功能,为天然生物活性成分的分析研究提供了新途径.本文总结了我们课题组近年来对糖苷、植物酚类以及酰胺类生物碱等几类天然有效成分的分析研究进展:应用HPLC/MSn联用技术在线分析鉴定多种天然来源的已知成分,快速筛选出多种未知成分,并运用多级质谱技术获得未知成分的结构信息,为快速准确发现新的目标结构提供靶向指导.这一研究方法的应用,突破了传统分离分析的束缚,为现代植物化学或天然药物化学研究提供了新思路.     

HPLC测定植物性农药——0.25%乌头总碱乳油中的乌头类生物碱

 选择十八烷基键合相柱 ,以甲醇 水 氯仿 三乙胺 (体积比为 6 8∶32∶2∶0 1)混合溶液为流动相 ,用高效液相法测定了一种植物性农药 0 2 5 %乌头总碱乳油中的乌头生物碱。实验结果表明中乌头碱、乌头碱及次乌头碱与其他杂质能够得到很好的分离。以安宫黄体酮作内标物 ,用峰面积比测定各生物碱含量 ,在其线性范围内分析结果准确 ,回收率高 (>92 % ) ,重现性好 (RSD <3 2 % ) 。     

Determination of bitter orange alkaloids in dietary supplement Standard Reference Materials by liquid chromatography with atmospheric-pressure ionization mass spectrometry

A liquid chromatographic atmospheric-pressure ionization electrospray mass spectrometry (LC–API–ES–MS) method has been developed for the determination of five bitter orange alkaloids (synephrine, octopamine, n-methyltyramine, tyramine, and hordenine) in bitter orange-containing dietary supplement standard reference materials (SRMs). The materials represent a variety of natural, extracted, and processed sample matrices. Two extraction techniques were evaluated: pressurized-fluid extraction (PFE) and sonication extraction. The influence of different solvents, extraction temperatures, and pH were investigated for a plant material and a processed sample. The LC method uses a new approach for the separation of highly polar alkaloids. A fluorinated, silica-based stationary phase separated the five alkaloids and the internal standard terbutaline in less than 20 min. This method enabled the determination of the dominant alkaloid synephrine and other minor alkaloids in a variety of dietary supplement SRMs.     

乌头类生物碱组分在CYP450中的代谢指纹图谱及对CYP450活性的影响

利用超高效液相色谱-串联质谱(UPLC-MS/MS)的多反应监测(MRM)技术, 结合多探针底物方法, 对单酯型及双酯型乌头类生物碱组分对细胞色素P450(CYP450)亚型的活性影响进行了研究; 同时利用超高效液相色谱-四极杆-飞行时间串联质谱(UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS)对单酯型和双酯型乌头类生物碱组分在CYP450中的代谢指纹图谱进行了研究. 活性影响研究结果表明, 单酯型生物碱组分对CYP2C及2D的抑制能力较强, 其IC₅₀值分别为7.44和6.74 μmol/L; 双酯型生物碱组分对CYP1A2, 3A, 2C和2D均有较弱的抑制作用, 其IC₅₀值分别为39.48, 70.44, 17.36和86.04 μmol/L. 代谢指纹图谱显示, 双酯型生物碱组分在大鼠肝微粒体中有6个特异性产物可以作为该反应的特征峰.     

乌头碱的代谢产物去氧乌头碱的生物转化及其电喷雾串联质谱

采用人肠内细菌和乌头碱体外温孵的方法, 探讨去氧乌头碱在人肠内的生物转化. 利用离子阱和傅里叶变换离子回旋共振质谱直接分析去氧乌头碱的转化产物. 乌头类生物碱及其代谢产物在正离子电喷雾质谱条件下形成质子化分子([M+H]+), 通过多级串联质谱进行结构表征. 去氧乌头碱可被人肠内细菌转化, 通过脱酰基、脱甲基脱羟基以及酯化反应产生新型的单酯型、双酯型和脂类生物碱等10余种代谢产物. 双酯型的去氧乌头碱的毒性较高, 当它被肠内细菌转化为单酯型和脂类生物碱时会使其毒性降低.     

2'''',3''''-双脱氢-2'''',3''''双脱氧胸苷5''''-亚磷酸苄酯的ESI-MS~n中的一种新颖的重排反应

爱滋病(AIDS)是一种严重威胁人类健康的传染性疾病。研究和开发新的、高疗效的抗AIDS的药物已成了生物学家、化学家和药物学家的主要的研究方向之一。2',3'-双脱氢.2',3'-双脱氧胸苷(d4T)是HIV逆转录酶抑制剂,它们是美国FDA通过的可用于治疗AIDS的一类药物。由于d4T等本身对HIV无活性,只有经细胞代谢成5'-磷酸化产物后才对HIV产生抑制作用,因此很有必要对d4T进行结构改造,而对上述药物的结构进行改造是研制新的抗AIDS的化学药物最简捷的途径。因此,我们合成了一系列的d41、5'-亚磷酸酯的衍生物,并对它们的电喷雾质谱进行了详细的研究。研究发现了2',3'-双脱氢,2',3'双脱氧胸苷(d4T)-5'-氢亚磷酸苄酯的一种新颖的重排反应,并对其机理进行了进一步的研究。有关结果不仅有助于对这类化合物的结构分析,而且对它们的合成、药物性质以及药物代谢等方面的研究都具有重要意义。     

Targeted profiling and relative quantification of benzoyl diterpene alkaloids in Aconitum roots by using LC–MS/MS with precursor ion scan

Benzoyl aconite alkaloids have myocardial protective effects at a low dose and produce toxic effects at high dose. Due to lack of enough reference compounds, most of the benzoyl alkaloids had few concerns, except the typical ones, i.e. aconitine, mesaconitine, and hypaconitine. To rapidly screen out and quantify benzoyl alkaloids, a high performance liquid chromatography combined with tandem mass spectrometry was proposed based on precursor ion scanning mode. First, a diagnostic ion at m/z 105 corresponding to benzoyl group was observed by using tandem mass spectrometry, which could be used for the rapid identification of benzoyl alkaloids. The targeted screening of these alkaloids was then conducted by using precursor ion scan of characteristic ion at m/z 105. Shengfuzi (the lateral root of A. carmichaelii) was taken as example, and 24 benzoyl‐containing alkaloids were identified. The six major alkaloids including aconitine, mesaconitine, hypaconitine, benzoylaconine, benzoylmesaconine, and benzoylhypaconine were determined in the precursor ion scan mode by the standard curve method. Reliable linearity, sensitivity, precision, accuracy, and repeatability were obtained and validated. Then the relative response factors between these six analytes were calculated, which were not more than two times using any alkaloid as reference. Thus, the other 18 alkaloids lacking reference compounds were relatively quantified. This approach provides a useful tool for rapid identification and quantitative analysis of toxic benzoyl alkaloids, and also an efficient method for the safety assessment of Aconitum roots.