Anti-inflammatory activity of saponins from roots of Impatiens parviflora DC.

Abstract

Two triterpene saponins (IPS-1, IPS-2) for the first time were isolated from the roots of Impatiens parviflora DC. (Balsaminaceae). Their anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated by means of two in vitro models: anti-hyaluronidase and anti-denaturation assays. Both saponins were shown to be potent hyaluronidase inhibitors that affect the enzyme in a dose-dependent manner. The anti-hyaluronidase effect of IPS-2 (IC₅₀?=?286.7?µg/mL) was higher than that of the reference drug: escin (IC₅₀?=?303.93?µg/mL). Both saponins protected bovine serum albumin from heat-induced denaturation in a dose-dependent manner. IPS-1 demonstrated higher anti-denaturation effect (IC₅₀?=?86.7?µg/ml) than IPS-2 (IC₅₀?=?109.76?µg/mL) or the standard drug: acetylsalicylic acid (IC₅₀?=?262.22?µg/mL). In conclusion, potent activity of IPS-1, IPS-2 in both in vitro assays shows that saponins from I. parviflora have anti-inflammatory activity. The obtained results allow to suggest that such compounds may be beneficial in inflammatory conditions, especially associated with excessive degradation of hyaluronic acid.     

HPLC-UV analytical method for determination of pizotifen after in vitro transdermal diffusion studies

Pizotifen malate is an antihistamine and serotonin inhibitor used in the preventive treatment of migraine and eating disorders. A simple, rapid, accurate and precise high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method involving ultraviolet detection was validated for the quantitative analysis of pizotifen malate in samples from in vitro transdermal diffusion studies. The method was validated for specificity, linearity, accuracy, precision, limit of detection, limit of quantification and robustness. Drug stability in the solution was also determined under different conditions. Separation was carried out using a 250 × 4.0 mm Kromasil^® C₁₈ column at room temperature. The detector response, fitted at 254 nm, was found to be linear in a concentration range between 0.24 and 24.0 µg/mL. The limit of detection was 0.02 µg/mL and the limit of quantification was 0.07 µg/mL. Finally, in vitro transdermal diffusion of pizotifen malate was characterized using the validated HPLC method. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A rapid and simple RP‐HPLC method for quantification of kirenol in rat plasma after oral administration and its application to pharmacokinetic study

A rapid and simple reverse‐phase high‐performance liquid chromatography (RP‐HPLC) was developed and validated for the quantification of kirenol in rat plasma after oral administration. Kirenol and darutoside (internal standard, IS) were extracted from rat plasma using Cleanert™ C₁₈ solid‐phase extraction (SPE) cartridge. Analysis of the extraction was performed on a Thermo ODS‐2 Hypersil C₁₈ reversed‐phase column with a gradient eluent composed of acetonitrile and 0.1% phosphoric acid. The flow rate was 1.0 mL/min and the detection wavelength was set at 215 nm. The calibration curve was linear over the range of 9.756–133.333 µg/mL (r² = 0.9991) in rat plasma. The lower limits of detection and quantification were 2.857 and 9.756 µg/mL, respectively. The intra‐ and inter‐day precisions (relative standard deviation, RSD) were between 2.24 and 4.46%, with accuracies ranging from 91.80 to 102.74%. The extraction recovery ranged from 98.16 to 107.62% with RSD less than 4.81%. Stability studies showed that kirenol was stable in preparation and analytical process. The present method was successfully applied to the pharmacokinetic study of kirenol in male Sprague–Dawley rats after oral administration at a dose of 50 mg/kg. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Quantitative determination of sauchinone in rat plasma by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry

A rapid, sensitive and specific method using liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometric detection (LC‐MS) was developed for the analysis of sauchinone in rat plasma. Di‐O‐methyltetrahydrofuriguaiacin B was used as internal standard (IS). Analytes were extracted from rat plasma by liquid–liquid extraction using ethyl acetate. A 2.1 mm i.d. × 150 mm, 5 µm, Agilent Zorbax SB‐C₁₈ column was used to perform the chromatographic analysis. The mobile phase was methanol–deionized water (80:20, v/v). The chromatographic run time was 7 min per injection and the flow‐rate was 0.2 mL/min. The tandem mass spectrometric detection mode was achieved with electrospray ionization interface in positive‐ion mode (ESI⁺). The m/z ratios [M + Na]⁺, m/z 379.4 for sauchinone and m/z 395.4 for IS were recorded simultaneously. Calibration curve were linear over the range of 0.01–5 µg/mL. The lowest limit of quantification was 0.01 µg/mL. The intra‐day and inter‐day precision and accuracy of the quality control samples were 2.94–9.42% and 95.79–108.05%, respectively. The matrix effect was 64.20–67.34% and the extraction recovery was 93.28–95.98%. This method was simple and sensitive enough to be used in pharmacokinetic research for determination of sauchinone in rat plasma. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Rapid and specific high‐performance liquid chromatography for the in vitro quantification of d‐Lys6–GnRH in a microemulsion‐type formulation in the presence of peptide oxidation products

A high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method for assay of d ‐Lys⁶–GnRH contained in a microemulsion‐type formulation is described. The peptide is extracted from the microemulsion matrix and quantified using a two‐step gradient method. Separation from microemulsion compounds and potential peptide oxidation products was achieved on a Jupiter C₁₈ column at 40°C, using a gradient of 10–35% CH₃CN for peptide elution. The correlation of peak intensity measured at 220 nm and peptide concentration was linear over the range 2.5–60 µg/mL with a correlation coefficient of 0.9997 and a y‐intercept not significantly different from zero (p > 0.05). Intraday and interday variability of the assay was less than 5% for multiple injections of samples containing 7.5, 30 and 60 µg/mL. The lower limit of quantitation was calculated to be 0.38 µg/mL, and the lower limit of detection was 0.13 µg/mL. The assay was applied to samples that were stressed under physiological conditions (37°C, pH 7.4) over 4 days. Three degradation peaks were well resolved from the parent peptide, demonstrating the selectivity of the assay. Off‐line MALDI TOF mass spectrometry was applied to identify these degradation species as oxidation products of the peptide. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Development and validation of a high‐performance liquid chromatographic method for the determination of stemoninine in rat plasma after administration of Stemona tuberosa extracts

For the first time, an HPLC method was developed and validated for the determination of stemoninine in plasma after oral and intravenous administration of the extract of the roots of Stemona tuberosa to rats. Plasma samples were analyzed on a Waters reversed‐phase C₁₈ column using a gradient mobile‐phase of eluent A (water containing 0.1% formic acid and 0.2% triethylamine, pH 3.68) and eluent B (acetonitrile–water, 50:50, v/v). The flow rate was 1.0 mL/min and the detector wavelength was 210 nm. The Waters Oasis solid‐phase extraction cartridge was applied for the preparation of plasma samples with high recovery. A good linear relationship was obtained in the concentration range of 1.55–124 µg/mL (r = 0.9995). The limits of quantification and detection were 1.55 and 0.42 µg/mL, respectively. The average recoveries ranged from 91.11 to 96.43% in plasma at stemoninine concentrations of 3.10, 62.0 and 99.2 µg/mL. Intra‐ and inter‐batch coefficient of variations were 3.27–5.37% and 2.49–3.92%, respectively. This method was successfully applied to pharmacokinetic studies after oral and intravenous administration of Stemona tuberosa extract in rats. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The new ether derivative of phenylpropanoid and bioactivity was investigated from the leaves of Piper betle L.

Abstract

A new ether derivative of phenylpropanoid compound, γ-(γ′-isohydroxychavicol)-chavicol octanyl ether (K1) along with one known phenylpropanoid named allyl-pyrocatechol or hydroxychavicol (2) were isolated from Piper betle var. kali collected from Tumluk district, West Bengal India. We first report the presence of compound K1 in the genus Piper. Their structures were established on the basis of various spectroscopic analyses. Compounds K1 and 2 showed excellent antioxidant DPPH free radical scavenging activity with IC₅₀ values of 4.61 and 4.12?µg/mL compared to ascorbic acid as a standard antioxidant drug with IC₅₀ value of 3.42?µg/mL, respectively. Evaluation of in vitro cytotoxic activities of compounds K1 and 2 showed significant effects against human oral cancer cell lines (AW13516 and AW8507), human hepatoma cell lines (HEPG2 and PLC-PRF-5) and a human pancreatic cell line (MIA-PA-CA-2), compared to Doxorubicin^® as a standard cytotoxic drug with GI₅₀ values of <10 and 18.18?µg/mL.     

Quantitative determination of bioactive alkaloids lysergol and chanoclavine in Ipomoea muricata by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography

A rapid, simple, sensitive, gradient and reproducible, reverse‐phase high‐performance liquid chromatographic method was developed for the quantitative estimation of bioactive alkaloids, lysergol and chanoclavine in the seeds of Ipomoea muricata. The clavine alkaloid, lysergol, is a bioenhancer for the drugs and nutrients. The samples were analyzed by reverse‐phase chromatography on a Waters spherisorb ODS2 column (250 × 4.6 mm, i.d., 10 µm) using binary gradient elution with acetonitrile and 0.01 m phosphate buffer (NaH₂PO₄) containing 0.1% glacial acetic acid at a flow rate of 0.8 mL/min, a column temperature of 25 °C and UV detection at λ 254 nm. The limits of detection (LOD) and quantitation (LOQ) were 0.035 and 0.106 µg/mL for lysergol and 0.039 and 0.118 µg/mL for chanoclavine, respectively. Standard curves were linear in the range of 2–10 µg/mL (r > 99) for both analytes. Good results were achieved with respect to repeatability (RSD < 2%) and recovery (99.20–102.0). The method was validated for linearity, accuracy repeatability, LOQ and LOD. The method is simple, accurate and precise, and may be recommended for routine quality control analysis of I. muricata seed extracts containing these two clavine alkaloids (1, 2) as bioactive principles of the herb. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Facile LC‐UV methods for simultaneous monitoring of ciprofloxacin and rosuvastatin in API,formulations and human serum

An efficient, selective and cost‐effective liquid chromatographic assay was developed and validated for the simultaneous quantification of ciprofloxacin and rosuvastatin in Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API), pharmaceutical formulations and in human serum. The chromatographic system consisted of mobile phase methanol–water, 90:10 v/v at pH 3.0 adjusted with o‐phosphoric acid, pumped at 1.0 mL/min through a prepacked Purospher Star C18 (5 µm, 25 × 0.46 cm) column and effluent was monitored at the isosbestic point (255 nm) as well as at the λ_max of individual drugs (243 and 271 nm). The method was validated over a linear concentration range of 0.25–15 µg/mL for ciprofloxacin and 0.33–20 µg/mL for rosuvastatin (r² ≥ 0.999). The ranges of reliable response (limits of detection and quantitation) for ciprofloxacin were 3–15 and 9–45 ng/mL and 17–29 and 52–88 ng/mL, respectively, for rosuvastatin in all API, pharmaceutical formulations and human serum. Analytical recovery from human serum was >98% and relative standard deviation (RSD) was <2. The accuracies were 97.13–102.55 and 97.41–101.31% and precisions in RSD were 0.04–1.90 and 0.02–1.23% for ciprofloxacin and rosuvastatin, respectively. No matrix interferences, ion suppression/enhancement and carry‐over were detected. The total assay run time was less than 5 min. In another study, for optimum performance the detector was programmed for multiwavelength scanning at the absorption maxima of each component. Consequently, the linearity range was improved and limit of detection and quantitation values were down to 1–4 and 4–12 ng/mL for ciprofloxacin and 3–5 and 9–15 ng/mL for rosuvastatin, respectively. The validation parameters fitted ICH guidelines through the isosbestic and individual λ_max approach. The small sample volume and simplicity of preparation make this method suitable for use in human serum samples, pharmaceutical formulations, quality control, drug–drug interaction studies, clinical laboratories, drug research centers and forensic medical centers. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Solid-Phase Room-Temperature Fluorescence Using a Nylon Membrane for the Determination of 2-Naphthalene Sulfonic Acid

Using a nylon membrane as the supporting material, a simple, high sensitivity solid-phase surface fluorescence system has been assembled. Compared with other supporting materials, the nylon membrane is easily available and inexpensive. According to SEM images and the characteristics of other membranes to enrich the analyte, it can be concluded that the nylon membrane concentrates the analyte. Several parameters such as the photomultiplier tube voltage, slit widths, incident angle, pore size of the membrane, and analysis conditions (pH, filtration volume, flow rate) of this system were optimized. The 2-naphthalene sulfonic acid was chosen to be the analyte. Satisfactory analytical figures were obtained under the optimized experimental conditions which included a linear calibration range from 1.0 × 10^?3 to 0.16 µg/mL; a relative standard deviation of 5.67% (n = 7) at a concentration of 0.02 µg/mL; and a limit of detection equal to 8.55 × 10^?4 µg/mL.     

Stereospecific analytical method development and preliminary in vivo pharmacokinetic characterization of pinostrobin in the rat

The complete pharmacokinetic disposition of the chiral flavonoid (±) pinostrobin remains unknown without the development of an analytical method of detection and quantitation of its individual enantiomers. Resolution of the enantiomers of pinostrobin was achieved using as simple high‐performance liquid chromatographic method. A Chiralpak® AD‐RH column was employed to perform baseline separation with UV detection at 287 nm. The standard curves were linear ranging from 0.5 to 100 µg/mL for each enantiomer. The limit of quantification was 0.5 µg/mL. Precision and accuracy of the assay was < 15% (RSD) and was with a bias <15% for all points on the calibration curve. The assay was applied successfully to stereoselective serum disposition of pinostrobin enantiomers in rats. Both enantiomers had a serum half‐life of ~7 h. They also shared similar values of volume of distribution (V_d S‐pinostrobin, 8.2 L/kg; V_d R‐pinostrobin, 8.9 L/kg), total clearance (S‐pinostrobin CL_total, 0.959 L//h/kg; R‐pinostrobin CL_total, 1.055 L//h/kg), and area under the curve (S‐pinostrobin AUC_inf, 23.16 µg h/mL; R‐pinostrobin AUC_inf, 21.296 µg h/mL). The large volume of distribution suggests extensive distribution of pinostrobin into tissues. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Highly sensitive sorption-luminescence determination of trace europium with preconcentration on silica chemically modified with iminodiacetic acid

Features of a sorption-luminescence method for the determination of trace europium were studied. The method includes the preliminary sorption of europium at pH 7.1 from solutions with silica chemically modified with iminodiacetic acid, the subsequent treatment of the sorbent with 2-thenoyltrifluoroacetone at pH 8.0, and the measurement of the intensity of luminescence of the surface three-component europium complex at 613 nm. The effect of moisture as the quencher of luminescence of the surface europium complex was studied, and techniques for its removal were proposed. Sorption in the static mode provides the detection limit of europium of 7 × 10⁻⁵ μg/mL. The calibration plot is linear in the range of two orders of magnitude of europium concentration in solutions. The relative standard deviation in the determination of 1.5 × 10⁻² μg/mL europium is 5%. In the dynamic mode of sorption from 1000 mL of an analyzed solution with the use of sorption-desorption, the detection limit of europium of 8 × 10⁻⁷ μg/mL was attained. Original Russian Text ? R.D. Voronina, N.B. Zorov, 2007, published in Zhurnal Analiticheskoi Khimii, 2007, Vol. 62, No. 3, pp. 230–237.     

Two new bioactive triterpenoids from the roots of Colubrina asiatica

Abstract

Two new ceanothane triterpenes, 3,7-O,O-dibenzoyl ceanothic acid methylester (1) and 3-O-acetyl-7-O-benzoyl ceanothic acid methylester (2), along with nine known compounds (3–11), were isolated from the roots of Colubrina asiatica. The isolated compounds were identified by spectroscopic evidence. Compounds 1 and 2 showed antimalarial activity against Plasmodium falciparum with IC₅₀ values of 4.67 and 3.07?µg/mL, respectively. Compound 2 also showed antimycobacterial activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MIC 6.25?µg/mL). In addition, compounds 1, 2, 10 and 11 showed cytotoxicity against three cancer cell lines (KB, NCI-H187 and MCF-7) with IC₅₀ values ranging from 8.32 to 46.72?µg/mL.     

A multi-pumping flow system with on-line photochemical conversion and improved sensitivity for phosphorus fractionation in freshwaters

A flow-based procedure with solenoid micro-pumps was developed for phosphorus fractionation (dissolved organic and inorganic phosphorus) in freshwaters. The spectrophotometric detection was based on the formation of molybdenum blue and the organic species were on-line photo-converted to orthophosphate. The analytical response was linear within 10 and 75?µg?L^?1 with a detection limit of 2.0?µg?L^?1 (99.7% confidence level). Coefficient of variation of 1.8% (50?µg?L^?1 P, n?=?20) and sampling rate of 40 determinations per hour were achieved. Per determination, 160?µg (NH₄)₆Mo₇O₂₄, 10?µg SnCl₂, 640?µg K₂S₂O₈ and 10?mg NaOH were consumed, generating 2.0?mL of waste. Slopes of analytical curves obtained for four different organic phosphorus species agreed with those obtained for orthophosphate, indicating quantitative conversion. The results for freshwater samples agreed with those obtained by the AOAC reference procedure at 95% confidence level. The organic matter did not interfere in the photo-oxidative process. The proposed procedure is a fast and environmentally friendly alternative for the phosphorus fractionation in freshwaters.     

Determination of Triazines and N-Methylcarbamate Pesticides in Water by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography-Diode Array Detection

A rapid and selective method for the simultaneous determination of triazine herbicides (atrazine, its degradation product desethylatrazine, simazine, prometryn, terbutryn) and N-methylcarbamate insecticides (propoxur, carbaryl and methiocarb) in surface water has been developed. A 0.5 L of the water sample was preconcentrated by passage through a 1 g C₁₈ solid-phase extraction cartridge. The retained compounds were eluted with 5 mL of methanol from the cartridge. The pesticides were separated and quantified by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography with UV diode-array detection. Analytical separation was performed using a concave gradient elution with acetonitrile and water on a C₁₈ column. Prometryn and terbutryn were determined at 240 nm; propoxur, methiocarb at 204 nm and the others at 220 nm. Recoveries varied from 85 to 102% over concentrations at 0.025 and 0.2 µg L^?1. The limits of detection for the compounds investigated are in the range of 0.005-0.012 µg L^?1.     

Monitoring of Polychlorinated Biphenyls in Surface Water Using Liquid Extraction,GC/MS,and GC/ECD

Abstract

A rapid and reliable analytical method, at trace level concentration was developed and validated for monitoring polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in Jordanian surface water. The method combines the advantage of liquid extraction together with gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry (GC/MS) and gas chromatography‐electron capture detector (GC/ECD). The performance of the method was evaluated by analyzing certified reference material (CRM) of the analytes and applied on real water samples collected from different sites in Jordan. A mixture of 60∶40 dichloromethan‐petroleum ether was chosen as a convenient binary solvent for liquid–liquid extraction. The GC conditions for GC/MS were optimized using He as a carrier gas, temperature programming, and chlorpropham as an internal standard (IS).

The conditions for GC/ECD were performed using N₂ gas and a temperature program from 160 to 280°C with different increasing rates. The method of GC/MS in the selective ion mode (SIM) gave linear relationships for all PCBs tested between 0.60–6.0 µg/l with R ²=0.9934 (n=7×18). Recoveries from spiked water samples ranged between 87.6 and 91.4%. The mean accuracy and precision obtained were 4.9% and 2.16%, respectively. The mean of detection limit was 0.14±0.04 µg/l. In GC/ECD, linear relationships for all PCBs examined over the range of 0.3–2.4 µg/l was verified as characterized by a linear regression equation and correlation coefficient, R ²=0.9915 (n=12). The average precision and accuracy were 4.86% and 5.21%, respectively. Analyses results clarified that none of the examined Jordanian water samples contained any of the searched for PCBs within the detection limit achieved.     

A high‐performance liquid chromatographic analysis and preliminary pharmacokinetic characterization of 3′‐hydroxypterostilbene in rats

A high‐performance liquid chromatographic method was developed for the analysis of 3'‐hydroxypterostilbene. This method involves the use of a Luna^® C₁₈ column with ultraviolet detection at 325 nm. The mobile phase consisted of acetonitrile, water and formic acid (50:50:0.01, v/v/v) with a flow rate of 0.8 mL/min. The calibration curves were linear over the range 0.5–100.0 µg/mL. The mean extraction efficiency was between 97.40 and 111.16%. The precision of the assay was 0.196–14.39% (RSD%), and within 15% at the limit of quantitation (0.5 µg/mL). The bias of the assay was <16% and within 15% at the limit of quantitation. This assay was successfully applied to pre‐clinical pharmacokinetic samples from rat urine and serum. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

In vitro and in silico study of Aloe vera leaf extract against human breast cancer

Abstract

Aloe vera leaf contains some bioactive compounds that have a strong binding affinity toward estrogen receptor as compared to standard drug tamoxifen. In this study, we have found that the IC₅₀ of Aloe vera leaf extract against breast cancer cell line (MCF-7) is 23?µg/mL which is much lower than the IC₅₀ (332?µg/mL) of Aloe vera leaf extract against non-cancerous cell line (NIH-3T3). We have also calculated the total concentration of phenolic acid (385.662?µg/mL), flavonoids (160.402?µg/mL) and alkaloids (276.754?µg/mL) in Aloe vera leaf extract. The free radical scavenging activity of Aloe vera leaf extract is 67% to 89% (at 50 to 300?µg/ml). Our virtual molecular docking study suggests that bioactive compounds like Aloe-emodin (?8.8?Kcal/mol), 7-hydroxy-2,5 dimethylchromone (?7.5?Kcal/mol), Beta-sitosterol (?7.3?Kcal/mol) etc. have a greater binding affinity toward estrogen alpha receptor as compared to standard drug Tamoxifen (?6.4?Kcal/mol).

     

Determination of Mycophenolic Acid (MPA) and Its Acyl and Phenol Glucuronide Metabolits Simultaneously in Human Plasma by a Simplified HPLC Method

Abstract

A simple HPLC method with ultraviolet detection for simultaneous determination of Mycophenolic acid (MPA), its phenol glucuronide metabolite (MPAG) and acyl‐MPAG (AcMPAG) in human plasma was established. The plasma samples were prepared with protein‐preciptaing reagent, and the supernatant was eluted on Zorbax column (250 mm×4.6 mm i.d, 5 µm) with 20 mmol/l NaH₂PO₄ buffer (pH 3.0, adjusted with 20% phosphoric acid) and methanol (45:55, v/v) at 304 nm. The column temperature was 45°C, and the flow rate was 1.2 ml/min. The assay was linear within the range of 0.2–50 µg/L for MPA (r=0.9997), 2.8–531 µg/L for MPAG (r=0.9999), and 0.3–24 µg/L for AcMPAG (r=0.9994). Mean absolute recovery of MPA and its metabolites and internal standard was >80%. The average recoveries of MPA, MPAG, and AcMPAG were 94.0–101.4, 98.4–101.9, and 96.1–104.2%, respectively. The RSD of within‐day and between‐day were all lower than 15%. The method described is sensitive, reproducible, and will be useful in TDM or pharmacokinetic studies of MPA.     

Determination of Matrine and Oxymatrine in Sophora Flavescens by Nonaqueous Capillary Electrophoresis-Electrospray Ionization-Ion Trap-Mass Spectrometry

A simple, rapid, and sensitive nonaqueous capillary electrophoresis-electrospray ionization-ion trap-mass spectrometry (NACE-ESI-IT-MS) method was developed for determination of matrine and oxymatrine in Sophora Flavescens and medicinal preparations. The conditions for NACE separation and MS detection were systematically optimized. The optimum NACE buffer contained 30 mM ammonium acetate, 1% acetic acid, and 15% acetonitrile in methanol and the applied voltage on separation capillary was set at 25 kV. Berberine was selected as internal standard. In order to generate a stable electrospray, a sheath liquid (isopropanol/H₂O, 2/1, v/v) was used, which could also boost the flow through the ESI needle. The matrine and oxymatrine solutions were introduced into MS detection by a syringe pump for collecting the MSⁿ spectra to investigate the main fragment ions and its possible cleavage pathways. Both matrine and oxymatrine showed good linearity in the concentration ranges from 0.5 to 400 µg/mL, with linear correlation coefficient R > 0.99 and the limit of detections were 37.5 ng/mL for matrine and 50.0 ng/mL for oxymatrine, respectively. The recoveries at different content of Sophora Flavescens were 98.3%–102.9% for MT and 95.3%–100.6% for OMT, which indicates the reliability of this method.