Qualitative and quantitative analysis of multiple components for quality control of Deng‐Zhan‐Sheng‐Mai capsules by ultra high performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry method coupled with chemometrics

Deng‐Zhan‐Sheng‐Mai capsules are a well‐known traditional Chinese patent medicine that was developed in China for the treatment of ischemic stroke. Its quality control focuses on Erigerontis Herba but ignores the contributions of Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma, Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus, and Ophiopogonis Radix. To improve the quality standards for this medicine, this work reports the application of a systematic ultra high performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometric method coupled with chemometrics. Three qualitative and quantitative parameters are established for the evaluation of quality: chemical profiling, the relationship between the contents of 18 compounds and the antioxidant activity, and chemometric analysis. A total of 55 compounds, including 20 phenolic acids, 10 flavonoids, 15 saponins, and 10 lignans, were identified. The method for the quantitative determination of the aforementioned 18 compounds was validated. The limit of quantification ranged from 0.13 to 9.60 ng/mL. The overall recoveries ranged from 95.31 to 103.54%. Hierarchical cluster analysis and principal component analysis were applied to the data of 18 components in ten batches of samples. Nine compounds, including scutellarin, 3,5‐O‐dicaffeoylquinic acid, 4,5‐O‐dicaffeoylquinic acid, ginsenoside Rb1, ginsenoside Re, ginsenoside Rg1, ophiopogonin D, schisandrin, and schisandrol B, are suggested as chemical markers for evaluating the quality.     

Fast profiling of chemical constituents in Yiqing Capsule by ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled to electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry

An ultra-performance liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-ESI-MS(n)) has been developed for structural characterization and identification of multi-constituents in Yiqing Capsule, a well-known combined herbal remedy prepared from the extract mixtures of Rhizoma Coptidis, Radix et Rhizoma Rhei and Radix Scutellariae. The UPLC analysis was performed on an Agilent ZorBax SB-C(18) column (4.6 mm×50 mm, 1.8 μm) and gradient elution of 0.1% formic acid solution and acetonitrile in 16 min. Based on their retention times and mass spectra in comparison with the data from standards or references, a total of 29 compounds including 3 phenolic acids and 4 anthraquinones from Radix et Rhizoma Rhei, 8 alkaloids from Rhizoma Coptidis and 14 flavonoids from Radix Scutellariae were unambiguously identified or tentatively characterized in the complex system. The MS data and fragmentation information of two isomers of feruloylquinic acid were first reported in Radix et Rhizoma Rhei and in Yiqing Capsules. This study is expected to be accepted as an effective and reliable pattern for comprehensive and systematic characterization of this commonly used Chinese herbal preparation.     

Method for rapidly discovering active components in Yupingfeng granules by UPLC‐ESI‐Q‐TOF‐MS

Yupingfeng granules (YPFG) were isolated from a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formulation composed of three herbs (Astragali Radix, Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma, and Saposhnikoviae Radix). This formulation is used in TCM to tonify qi, and it can help strengthen exterior and reduce sweating. Nevertheless, the active components of YPFG remain unclear. In this study, the chemical constituents of YPFG were systematically characterized by ultra‐performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization/ quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (UPLC‐ESI‐Q‐TOF‐MS). Fifty‐eight compounds, namely, 20 flavonoids, 19 saponins, nine organic acids, four volatile coumarins, three lactones, one alkaloid, and two other components, were identified. In addition, the constituents of YPFG with the potential for in vivo bioactivities following oral administration were investigated in Sprague–Dawley rats. Thirteen compounds, namely, 11 flavonoid‐related and 2 saponin‐related components, were detected in rat plasma. After enriching flavonoids and saponins in YPFG by extraction, the extracts and YPFG were administrated to immunosuppressed rats, respectively. Plasma samples were analyzed by UPLC‐ESI‐Q‐TOF‐MS, and principal component analysis (PCA) confirmed that the extracts had similar effects to YPFG. This method could discover active ingredients in YPFG quickly and provide a scientific basis for quality control and mechanism research.     

Rapid identification of chemical constituents in Hugan tablets by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-exactive orbitrap mass spectrometry

Hugan tablet is a Chinese medicine preparation. It is composed of Bupleuri Radix, Artemisiae Scopariae Herba, Isatidis Radix, Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus, Suis Fellis Pulvis, and Vigna radiata L. It has the effects of dispersing stagnated liver qi, strengthening the spleen and eliminating food to be used for the treatment of chronic hepatitis and early cirrhosis. However, the chemical composition of Hugan tablet is complex and not fully understood, which hampers the research in pharmacology. In this study, a reliable method for the rapid analysis and identification of the chemical components in Hugan tablet by their characteristic fragments and neutral losses using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-exactive orbitrap mass spectrometry was developed. A total of 144 chemical components were tentatively identified, including 57 organic acids, 19 flavonoids, 23 alkaloids, 18 lignans, 7 saponins, and 20 others. These components may be the active ingredients of Hugan tablet. The established method can systematically and rapidly analyze the chemical components in Hugan tablet, which provides a basis for the pharmacodynamic substance study and is meaningful for the quality control of Hugan tablet.     

Simultaneous determination of 19 constituents in Cimicifugae Rhizoma by HPLC–DAD and screening for antioxidants through DPPH free radical scavenging assay

Cimicifugae Rhizoma (sheng ma) is a well‐known traditional Chinese medicine, which has been demonstrated to possess anti‐inflammatory, antipyretic and analgesic activities. In the present study, a simple and efficient HPLC–DAD (high‐performance liquid chromatography coupled with diode array detection) method was developed and validated for simultaneous quantification of 19 chemical components (including 16 phenolic acids, one coumarin and two alkaloids) in Cimicifugae Rhizoma. The result indicated that this method could effectively evaluate the quality of Cimicifugae Rhizoma and provide a valuable reference for further study. Additionally, the antioxidant activity of Cimicifugae Rhizoma was evaluated by DPPH (1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl) radical scavenging assay. The results showed that the content of phenolic acids and antioxidant activity exhibited significant correlation coefficients.     

色谱指纹谱用于中药大黄抗肿瘤活性成分的筛选

采用液相色谱-质谱联用方法分析了中药大黄经过SD大鼠肝匀浆体外代谢前后的指纹谱中色谱峰面积、保留值的差异。指出5种游离型蒽醌化合物在SD大鼠肝匀浆体外代谢体系中只有大黄酚发生代谢反应转化为芦荟大黄素。考察了体外代谢条件下,肝匀浆浓度与代谢时间对大黄酚转化及其代谢产物的影响。SD大鼠体外抗肿瘤试验表明,大黄代谢物对于人宫颈癌(HeLa)细胞的抑制活性略高于其提取物。通过比较芦荟大黄素、大黄酸、大黄素、大黄酚、大黄素甲醚的活性,并结合大黄酚的体外代谢反应的考察,解释了大黄代谢物对肿瘤细胞活性的抑制率的提高是由大黄酚的代谢产物芦荟大黄素浓度的增加引起的。     

Study on the dynamic metabolic characteristic of main active ingredients in Danggui Buxue Decoction by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry based on in situ sequential metabolism strategy

Danggui Buxue Decoction is a classic formula for replenishing qi and nourishing blood. Despite its widespread use, its dynamic metabolism involved remains unclear. Based on the sequential metabolism strategy, blood samples from different metabolic sites were obtained via in situ closed intestine ring integrated with a jugular venous continuous blood supply technique. An ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-linear triple quadruple-Orbitrap-tandem mass spectrometry method was developed for the identification of prototypes and metabolites in rat plasma. The dynamic absorption and metabolic landscape of flavonoids, saponins, and phthalides were characterized. Flavonoids could be deglycosylated, deacetylated, demethylated, dehydroxylated, and glucuronicated in the gut and then absorbed for further metabolism. Jejunum is an important metabolic site for saponins biotransformation. Saponins that are substituted by Acetyl groups tend to lose their acetyl groups and convert to Astragaloside IV in the jejunum. Phthalides could be hydroxylated and glucuronidated in the gut and then absorbed for further metabolism. Seven components serve as crucial joints in the metabolic network and are potential candidates for the quality control of Danggui Buxue Decoction. The sequential metabolism strategy described in this study could be useful for characterizing the metabolic pathways of Chinese medicine and natural products in the digestive system.     

营养合剂的制备及临床应用

营养合剂是由胎盘水解的复方氨基酸，中药当归，白术，黄芪的水提液，微量元素Ｆｅ，Ｚｎ，Ｃｕ，蜂蜜及甜菊甙等精制成的高级营养液，本文报道其制备，质控及临床应用，临床应用表明，本品对缺铁性和妊娠性贫血，异食癖，异食癖，顽固性厌食及孕妇小腿痉挛等疗效显著，治愈率分别为９２．３％，９０．０％，９２．０％，９３．３％，１００％，有效率皆为１００．０％，本品营养丰富，疗效可靠，毒副作用小，制备工艺简单，值得临床     

Systematic characterization of the chemical constituents in vitro and prototypes in vivo of Dingkun Dan using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry combined with the UNIFI™ software

Dingkun Dan (DKD), a famous traditional Chinese medicine, has been widely used in the treatment of irregular menstruation, leucorrhea abnormality, and postpartum gynecological diseases since Qing dynasty (1739). It comprises 30 flavors of Chinese medicinal materials, which results in its complex chemical composition. In this study, an integrative method was developed to rapidly characterize the chemical components of DKD using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry combined with the UNIFI™ software. A total of 234 compounds, including 47 triterpenoid saponins, 55 flavonoids, and 38 alkaloids, were identified. Of them, 170 compounds were characterized initially and 61 compounds were identified unambiguously using reference standards. Under the same analysis conditions, 43 prototypical components, which were tentatively assigned as triterpenoid saponins, flavonoids, alkaloids, terpenoids, phenylpropanoids, and others, were absorbed in rat by serum pharmacochemistry analysis. DKD exhibited diverse pharmacological activities through the combined effect of these components. This study was the first systematic study of chemical components in vitro originating from 30 medicinal materials and prototypes in vivo of DKD, which could provide scientific evidence for explaining its therapeutic effect.     

Structural characterization and identification of iridoid glycosides,saponins, phenolic acids and flavonoids in Flos Lonicerae Japonicae by a fast liquid chromatography method with diode‐array detection and time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry

A fast liquid chromatography method with diode‐array detection (DAD) and time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (TOF‐MS) has been developed for analysis of constituents in Flos Lonicerae Japonicae (FLJ), a traditional Chinese medicine derived from the flower bud of Lonicera japonica. The chromatographic analytical time decreased to 25 min without sacrificing resolution using a column packed with 1.8‐µm porous particles (4.6 × 50 mm), three times faster than the performance of conventional 5.0‐µm columns (4.6 × 150 mm). Four major groups of compounds previously isolated from FLJ were structurally characterized by DAD‐TOF‐MS: iridoid glycosides showed maximum UV absorption at 240 nm; phenolic acids at 217, 242, and 326 nm; flavonoids at 255 and 355 nm; while saponins had no absorption. In electrospray ionization (ESI)‐TOF‐MS experiments, elimination of a glucose unit (162 Da), and successive losses of H₂O, CH₃OH and CO, were generally observed in iridoid glycosides; saponins were characterized by a series of identical aglycone ions; phenolic acids typically generated a base peak at [M–H–caffeoyl]^? by loss of a caffeic acid unit (162 Da) and several marked quinic acid moiety ions; cleavage of the glycosidic bond (loss of 162 or 308 Da), subsequent losses of H₂O, CO, RDA and C‐ring fragmentation were the most possible fragmentation pathways for flavonoids. By accurate mass measurements within 4 ppm error for each molecular ion and subsequent fragment ions, as well as the ‘full mass spectral’ information of TOF‐MS, a total of 41 compounds including 13 iridoid glycosides, 11 phenolic acids, 7 saponins, and 10 flavonoids were identified in a methanolic extract of FLJ. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Rapid identification of traditional Chinese herbal medicine by direct analysis in real time (DART) mass spectrometry

Direct analysis in real time-mass spectrometry (DART-MS) was employed as a novel fast method to identify traditional Chinese herbal medicine (TCHM). In order to obtain high quality mass spectra, the ionization temperature was optimized for every kind of sample. With minimal or no sample pretreatment, major TCHM components, including alkaloids, flavonoids and some ginsenosides, were directly detected within several seconds, while thirteen ginsenosides need derivatization to get good mass spectra. Pseudoginsenoside F11, compound K, protopanaxatriol (PPT) and protopanaxadiol (PPD), for the first time were detected without derivatization. Among five of eight tested Chinese herbal medicines, Rhizoma Corydalis, Bulbus Fritillariae Thunbergii, Arecae Semen, Ramulus Uncariae Cum Uncis and Scutellariae Radix, were first time identified by DART-MS. In addition, the ionization mechanisms of major herbal components, alkaloids, flavonoids and ginsenosides, were discussed in detail. Our results demonstrated that DART-MS could provide a rapid, reliable and environmental friendly method for the rapid identification of TCHM, and may be applicable to other plants.     

Material basis studies of anti‐Influenza A active ingredients in Tanreqing Injection

Tanreqing Injection (TRQ) has been used primarily in treating infections of the upper respiratory tract and serious influenza in China, as a classical compound herbal recipe. TRQ had been demonstrated to have effects of clearing heat, eliminating phlegm, detoxification, reducing inflammation and alleviating cough. The survival rate, histopathology of lungs and viral titers in mice were evaluated in this study to verify the curative effect of TRQ. However, there is not enough information about the components. In the present study, a high‐performance and practical LC/QTOF/MS method was developed for characterization and identification of the natural ingredients in TRQ. A total of 60 compounds, including 10 amino acids, 10 iridoid glucosides, 14 flavonoids, 13 other phenolic compounds, 10 steroid acids and three other compounds, were characterized and identified. We also confirmed the material basis of anti‐Influenza A active ingredients in TRQ. Therefore, we have developed an accurate analytical method. LC/QTOF/MS could be applied for identification the complex components in traditional Chinese medicine.     

Characterization and identification of multiple constituents in Yinhuang granules by high-performance liquid chromatography with diode-array and time-of-flight mass spectrometry detection

A fast high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method with diode-array detection (DAD) and time-of-flight mass spectrometry (TOF/MS) has been developed for the analysis of multi-constituent in Yinhuang granules, a well-known combined herbal remedy prepared from the extract mixtures of Flos Lonicerae and Radix Scutellariae. The fast HPLC analysis was performed on an Agilent ZorBax SB-C(18) column (4.6×50 mm, 1.8 μm) and 0.2% aqueous formic acid and acetonitrile was the optimum mobile phase for gradient elution in 17 min, which is five times faster than the performance of conventional columns packed with 5.0 μm particles. With various fragmentor voltages in TOF/MS, accurate mass measurements (<5 ppm error) for molecular ions and characteristic fragment ions represented reliable identification criteria for different constituents. A total of 28 compounds, including nine phenolic acids, three iridoid glycosides and nine saponins from Flos Lonicerae and seven flavonoids from Radix Scutellariae, were identified or tentatively characterized in the extract of Yinhuang granules. The established fast HPLC-DAD-TOF/MS method turns out to be useful and efficient for quality control of this commonly used Chinese herbal preparation.     

Concordance between antioxidant activities in vitro and chemical components of Radix Astragali (Huangqi)

Five Radix Astragali (RA) extracts were prepared and their antioxidant activities were measured in vitro using ABTS [2, 2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid diammonium salt)], DPPH?·?(1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical), reducing power, ?O?? and ?OH assays. Their chemical contents were then determined, including total phenolics, total flavonoids, total saponins and total sugars. The 1/IC?? values of the various antioxidant assays were used to evaluate the level of antioxidant activity of the RA extracts (plot showing 1/IC?? values vs. chemical contents), and the average R values (correlation coefficients) of total phenolics and total flavonoids were 0.762 and 0.638. In contrast, the average R values of the total saponins and total sugars were -0.0386 and -0.132, respectively. This large difference clearly demonstrates that the antioxidant effects of RA in vitro might be generally considered to be a result of the presence of phenolic compounds (including flavonoids) but not astragalosides and polysaccharides.     

Detection and identification of diterpenoid alkaloids, isoflavonoids and saponins in Qifu decoction and rat plasma by liquid chromatography-time-of-flight mass spectrometry

A liquid chromatography-time-of-flight mass spectrometric (LC-TOFMS) method has been developed for analysis of components in Qifu decoction (QFD), a traditional Chinese medical formula consisting of Radix Astragali and Acontium carmichaeli, and in rat plasma after oral administration. Based on accurate mass measurements within 3 ppm error for each molecular ion and subsequent fragment ions of TOFMS, as well as matching of empirical molecular formulae with those of published components in the in-house chemical library, a total of 44 major components including 21 diterpenoid alkaloids, 12 flavonoids and 11 saponins were identified in QFD. After oral administration of QFD, 22 components in rat plasma were detected and identified by comparing and contrasting the constituents measured in QFD with those in the plasma samples. The results provided valuable chemical information for further pharmacology and active mechanism research on QFD. LC-TOFMS was also applied for the comparison of relative peak area of major active components between QFD and the single herb extracts. The concentration ratios of major saponins detected in the crude herb Radix Astragali were found to be different from those in QFD. The experimental data indicated that the decocting process could result in differences in the amounts of active components.     

Analysis of plasma migration components in Patrinia villosa (Thunb.) Juss. effective parts by UPLC–Q-TOF–MS

Patrinia villosa (Thunb.) Juss. (PVJ) is described as pungent, bitter and slightly cold in Chinese medicine, and is associated with the large intestine, stomach and liver meridians. The preliminary experiments of our research team proved that PVJ total flavonoids have excellent inhibitory effects on liver cancer cells. The present experiment uses the UPLC–Q-TOF–MS technology and serum pharmacochemistry methods to analyze the chemical components in vitro and in vivo of PVJ antiliver tumors. A total of 14 chemical components were identified in the total flavonoids extract of PVJ, and it is mainly composed of flavonoids, flavonones, flavonols and phenolic acids. At the same time, seven prototypical components and seven metabolic components were detected in the drug-containing plasma. Hydrocaffeate and scutellarein are the phase I metabolites of caffeic acid and scutellarin, respectively. Sulfated apigenin, sulfated luteolin, sulfated kaempferol and methylated kaempferol are the II phase metabolites of apigenin, luteolin, kaempferol, respectively. The experiment provides a reference for the research and development of antitumor drug candidates, and provides a basis for revealing the bioactive components of PVJ and the antitumor mechanism.     

Analysis and Identification of the Chemical Constituents of Ding‐Zhi‐Xiao‐Wan Prescription by HPLC‐IT‐MSn and HPLC‐Q‐TOF‐MS

Ding‐Zhi‐Xiao‐Wan (DZXW) is a famous traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula, which is composed of four herbs, Ginseng Radix, Poria, Polygala Radix and Acori Tatarinowii Rhizoma. It has been popularly used for the treatment of emotional disease, like Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, depression, anxiety, forgetfulness and neurasthenia. In this research, a high‐performance liquid chromatography coupled with ion‐trap tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC‐IT‐MSⁿ) method along with a high‐performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (HPLC‐Q‐TOF‐MS) method in negative ion mode was established to investigate the major constitutions in DZXW. The extracts were prepared by ultra‐sonication in ethyl acetate, n‐butanol, 95% ethanol and deionized water sequentially as well as in deionized water directly. A Kromasil C18 column was used to separate the extracts of DZXW. Acetonitrile and 0.1% aqueous formic acid (V/V) were used as the mobile phase. A total of 64 components were characterized, including 16 triterpenoids, 14 Polygala saponins, 10 oligosaccharide esters, 6 sucrose esters, 2 xanthone C‐glycosides and 16 ginsenosides.