Preparative separation of isoquinoline alkaloids from Corydalis impatiens using middle chromatogram isolated gel column coupled with positively charged reversed‐phase liquid chromatography

Positively charged reversed‐phase liquid chromatography was employed for the efficient preparative separation of isoquinoline alkaloids from Corydalis impatiens. Ten commercially available columns were compared for isoquinoline alkaloids analysis. While tailing, overloading, lower resolution, and buffer salts limited the application in purification of isoquinoline compounds of many of these columns, one positively charged reversed‐phase C18 column (XCharge C18) overcame these drawbacks, allowing for favorable separation resolution, even when loading isoquinoline compounds on a larger, preparative scale. The general separation process is as follows. First, isoquinoline alkaloids are enriched with Corydalis impatiens extract via a middle chromatogram isolated gel column. After column selection, separation is performed on an XCharge C18 analytical column, from which two evident chromatographic peaks are readily obtained. Finally, two isoquinoline alkaloids (protopine and corydamine) are selectively purified on the XCharge C18 preparative column. These results demonstrate that a middle chromatogram isolated gel column coupled with positively charged reversed‐phase liquid chromatography is effective for the preparative separation of isoquinoline alkaloids from Corydalis impatiens.     

Preparative isolation of flavonoid glycosides from Sphaerophysa salsula using hydrophilic interaction solid‐phase extraction coupled with two‐dimensional preparative liquid chromatography

An offline preparative two‐dimensional reversed‐phase liquid chromatography/hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography coupled with hydrophilic interaction solid‐phase extraction method was developed for the preparative isolation of flavonoid glycosides from a crude sample of Sphaerophysa salsula . First, the non‐flavonoids were removed using an XAmide solid‐phase extraction cartridge. Based on the separation results of three different chromatographic stationary phases, the first‐dimensional preparation was performed on an XAqua C18 prep column, and 15 fractions were obtained from the 5.2 g target sample. Then, three representative fractions were selected for additional purification on an XAmide preparative column to further isolate the flavonoid glycosides. In all, eight flavonoid glycosides were isolated in purities over 97%. The results demonstrated that the two‐dimensional liquid chromatography method used in this study was effective for the preparative separation of flavonoid glycosides from Sphaerophysa salsula . Additionally, this method showed great potential for the separation of flavonoid glycosides from other plant materials.     

Two‐dimensional solid‐phase extraction strategy for the selective enrichment of aminoglycosides in milk

An orthogonal two‐dimensional solid‐phase extraction strategy was established for the selective enrichment of three aminoglycosides including spectinomycin, streptomycin, and dihydrostreptomycin in milk. A reversed‐phase liquid chromatography material (C₁₈) and a weak cation‐exchange material (TGA) were integrated in a single solid‐phase extraction cartridge. The feasibility of two‐dimensional clean‐up procedure that experienced two‐step adsorption, two‐step rinsing, and two‐step elution was systematically investigated. Based on the orthogonality of reversed‐phase and weak cation‐exchange procedures, the two‐dimensional solid‐phase extraction strategy could minimize the interference from the hydrophobic matrix existing in traditional reversed‐phase solid‐phase extraction. In addition, high ionic strength in the extracts could be effectively removed before the second dimension of weak cation‐exchange solid‐phase extraction. Combined with liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry, the optimized procedure was validated according to the European Union Commission directive 2002/657/EC. A good performance was achieved in terms of linearity, recovery, precision, decision limit, and detection capability in milk. Finally, the optimized two‐dimensional clean‐up procedure incorporated with liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry was successfully applied to the rapid monitoring of aminoglycoside residues in milk.     

Online high‐pH reversed‐phase liquid chromatography × low‐pH reversed‐phase liquid chromatography tandem electrospray ionization mass spectrometry combined with pulse elution gradient in the first dimension for the analysis of alkaloids in Macleaya cordata (willd.) R. Br

An online high‐pH reversed‐phase liquid chromatography× low‐pH reversed‐phase liquid chromatography tandem electrospray ionization mass spectrometry combined with pulse elution gradient in the first dimension was constructed to separate and identify alkaloids from Macleaya cordata (willd.) R. Br. The modulation was performed by using a dual second dimensional columns interface combined with a make‐up dilution pump, which is responsible for dilution and neutralization of the first dimensional effluent, and the dual second dimensional columns integrated the trapping and the separation function to reduce the second dimension system dead volume. Taking advantage of the dissociable characteristics of alkaloids, mobile phases with different pH values were applied in the first dimension (pH 9.0) and the second dimension (pH 2.6) to improve the orthogonality of two‐dimension separation. Besides, the pulse elution gradient in first dimension and second dimensional gradient were carefully optimized and much better separation was achieved compared to the separation with the traditional two‐dimensional liquid chromatography approach. Finally, mass measurement was performed for alkaloids in M. cordata (willd.) R. Br. by coupling proposed two‐dimensional liquid chromatography system with triple quadrupole mass spectrometry, and 39 alkaloids were successfully identified by comparing the obtained result with the former reported results.     

Anti‐inflammatory bioactive equivalence of combinatorial components β‐carboline alkaloids identified in Arenaria kansuensis by two‐dimensional chromatography and solid‐phase extraction coupled with liquid–liquid extraction enrichment technology

Bioactive equivalent combinatorial components play a critical role in herbal medicines. However, how to discover and enrich them efficiently is a question for herbal pharmaceuticals researchers. In our work, a novel two‐dimensional reversed‐phase/hydrophilic interaction high‐performance liquid chromatography method was established to perform real‐time components trapping and combining for preparation and isolation of coeluting components. Arenaria kansuensis was taken as an example, and solid‐phase extraction coupled with liquid–liquid extraction as a simple and efficient method for enriching trace components, reversed phase column coupled with hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography XAmide column as two‐dimensional chromatography technology for isolation and preparation of coeluting constituents, enzyme‐linked immune‐sorbent assay as bio‐guided assay, and anti‐inflammatory bioactivity evaluation for bioactive constituents. A combination of 12 β‐carboline alkaloids was identified as anti‐inflammatory bioactive equivalent combinatorial components from A. kansuensis , which accounts for 1.9% w/w of original A. kansuensis . This work answers the key question of which are real anti‐inflammatory components from A. kansuensis and provides a fast and efficient approach for discovering and enriching trace β‐carboline alkaloids from herbal medicines for the first time. More importantly, the discovery of bioactive equivalent combinatorial components could improve the quality control of herbal products and inspire a herbal medicine based on combinatorial therapeutics.     

Purification of lignans from Fructus Arctii using off‐line two‐dimensional supercritical fluid chromatography/reversed‐phase liquid chromatography

As a common traditional Chinese medicine, Fructus Arctii has important clinical medical values. Its main components are lignans, which are difficult to separate and analyze because of the complex composition, similar chemical structures, and close properties. In this study, an off‐line two‐dimensional supercritical fluid chromatography/reversed‐phase liquid chromatography method, as well as an effective sample pretreatment method based on hydrophilic interaction chromatography material, was developed to enrich the minor lignan fractions and obtain high‐purity compounds. In total, 12 high‐purity compounds were isolated from Fructus Arctii . Their structures were identified by using high‐resolution mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, which showed that all were lignans and that most of them were isomers. The results demonstrated the effective off‐line two‐dimensional supercritical fluid chromatography/reversed‐phase liquid chromatography method for the purification of lignans from Fructus Arctii . The separation protocol established here will be beneficial for the separation of complex samples from other kinds of natural products.     

Two‐dimensional hydrophilic interaction chromatography × reversed‐phase liquid chromatography for the preparative isolation of potential anti‐hepatitis phenylpropanoids from Salvia prattii

Traditional Tibetan medicine is important for discovery of drug precursors. However, knowledge of the chemical composition of traditional Tibetan medicines is very limited due to the lack of appropriate chromatographic purification methods. In the present work, Salvia prattii was taken as an example, and an off‐line hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography/reversed‐phase liquid chromatography preparative method was developed for the purification of phenylpropanoids with high purity from a crude sample of Salvia prattii. Based on the separation results of four different chromatographic stationary phases, the first‐dimensional preparation was performed on an XAmide preparative column with the crude sample concentration of 62.0 mg/mL, and five main fractions were obtained from the 12.4 g crude sample with a recovery of 54.8%. An XCharge C₁₈ preparative column was applied in the second‐dimensional preparation to further isolate the phenylpropanoids from the redissolved first‐dimensional fractions with concentration of approximately 50.0 mg/mL. The purities of the phenylpropanoids isolated from the crude sample of Salvia prattii were higher than 98%, indicating that the method was efficient for the purification of phenylpropanoids with high purity from Salvia prattii. Additionally, this method showed great potential in the preparation of phenylpropanoids and can serve as a good example for the purification of phenylpropanoids from other plant materials.     

HPLC‐ESI‐MS/MS of brain neurotransmitter modulator lobeline and related piperidine alkaloids in Lobelia inflata L

There is a renewed interest in lobelia alkaloids because of their activity on the central nervous system. Lobeline, the most active of them, a nicotinic receptor ligand and neurotransmitter transporter inhibitor, is a candidate pharmacotherapy for metamphetamine abuse. In the present work, high‐performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry in positive ion mode was used for investigating the alkaloid profile in Lobelia inflata L. Chromatographic separations were achieved on a Gemini C6‐phenyl reversed‐phase column providing good peak shape and improved selectivity. Being mostly 2,6‐disubstituted piperidines, lobelia alkaloids presented abundant [M + H]⁺ ions with typical fragmentation. Identification was possible from a few specific ions, especially those resulting from excision of one of the substituents. Based on fragmentation pattern of lobeline as reference compound, 52 alkaloids were identified in the aqueous methanolic extract of L. inflata in contrast to the previously known some 20. Structural variability of these alkaloids identified arises basically from their substituents which can be phenyl‐2‐ketoethyl‐ or phenyl‐2‐hydroxyethyl units as well as their methyl‐, ethyl‐ or propyl‐ homologues attached in different combinations. Several propyl homologue lobelia alkaloids and five hydroxypiperidine derivatives were found in the plant at the first time. In addition to 8‐O‐esters of 2‐monosubstituted piperidine alkaloids previously reported by us in L. inflata, a 3‐hydroxy‐3‐phenylpropanoic acid ester of hydroxyallosedamine ring‐substituted was also identified as a new natural product. High‐performance liquid chromatography‐electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry can be successfully applied to Lobeliacae plant samples in the routine screening for new and known bioactive constituents, quality control of the crude drug, lobelia herba, alkaloid production studies, breeding and chemotaxonomy. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Evaluation and application of a mixed‐mode chromatographic stationary phase in two‐dimensional liquid chromatography for the separation of traditional Chinese medicine

In this study, two mixed‐mode chromatography stationary phases (C8SAX and C8SCX) were evaluated and used to establish a two‐dimensional liquid chromatography system for the separation of traditional Chinese medicine. The chromatographic properties of the mixed‐mode columns were systematically evaluated by comparing with other three columns of C8, strong anion exchanger, and strong cation exchanger. The result showed that C8SAX and C8SCX had a mixed‐mode retention mechanism including electrostatic interaction and hydrophobic interaction. Especially, they were suitable for separating acidic and/or basic compounds and their separation selectivities could be easily adjusted by changing pH value. Then, several off‐line 2D‐LC systems based on the C8SAX in the first dimension and C8SAX, C8SCX, or C8 columns in the second dimension were developed to analyze a traditional Chinese medicine—Uncaria rhynchophylla. The two‐dimensional liquid chromatography system of C8SAX (pH 3.0) × C8SAX (pH 6.0) exhibited the most effective peak distribution. Finally, fractions of U. rhynchophylla prepared from the first dimension were successfully separated on the C8SAX column with a gradient pH. Thus, the mixed‐mode stationary phase could provide a platform to separate the traditional Chinese medicine in practical applications.     

Simultaneous determination of the content of isoquinoline alkaloids in Dicranostigma leptopodum (Maxim) Fedde and the effective fractionation of the alkaloids by high‐performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection

A simple and efficient method was developed for the simultaneous determination of eight isoquinoline alkaloids in methanol extracts of Dicranostigma leptopodum (Maxim) Fedde and the effective fractionation of the alkaloids of D. leptopodum by high‐performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection. The chromatographic conditions were optimized on a SinoChrom ODS‐BP column to obtain a good separation of the four types of alkaloid analytes, including two aporphines (isocorydine, corydine), two protopines (protopine and allocryptopine), a morphine (sinoacutine), and three quaternary protoberberine alkaloids (berberrubine, 5‐hydroxycoptisine, and berberine). The separation of these alkaloids was significantly affected by the composition of the mobile phase, and particularly by its pH value. Acetonitrile (A) and 0.2% phosphoric acid solution adjusted to pH 6.32 with triethylamine (B) were selected as the mobile phase with a gradient elution. With this method, a new quaternary protoberberine alkaloid was isolated and the two structural isomers (isocorydine and corydine) were baseline separated. The appropriate harvest period for D. leptopodum was also recommended based on our analysis. The method for the effective fraction of the alkaloids of D. leptopodum was optimized under this method with regard to the varying significant pharmacological activities of the alkaloids.     

Quantitative method for analysis of tobacco‐specific N‐nitrosamines in mainstream cigarette smoke by using heart‐cutting two‐dimensional liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry

A heart‐cutting two dimensional liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry method was developed for the analysis of tobacco‐specific N‐nitrosamines (TSNAs) at low concentration level in Virginia‐type cigarette smoke. A strong cation exchange column was utilized for the first dimensional separation, which effectively removed acidic and neutral components in the smoke, followed by a reversed phase liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometric analysis. To capture components of the TSNAs in the effluent on the trapping column, a compensating pump was applied for online dilution and pH adjustment during the period of the TSNAs fraction transferring and enrichment. Highly sensitive determination of the TSNAs in mainstream cigarette smoke was achieved by isotope deuterated internal standards under the multiple reaction monitoring mode. Compared with traditional methodologies, the method was almost no matrix interference. Limits of quantity for the TSNAs were within 0.027–0.094 ng/mL, and the results showed good reproducibility and accuracy. Finally, the new method was applied for analysis of the Kentucky reference cigarettes and the results agreed well with joint experiments of Cooperation Centre for Scientific Research Relative to Tobacco.     

pH‐Zone‐refining counter‐current chromatography for two new lipo‐alkaloids separated from refined alkaline extraction of Kusnezoff monkshood root

An efficient and refined method for the separation of six aconitine‐type alkaloids from the alkaline prepared “Kusnezoff monkshood root” was established. It is the first study that two new lipo‐alkaloids were successfully isolated from refined sample by pH‐zone‐refining counter‐current chromatography rather than synthetic method. It was of interest that a great deal of lipo‐alkaloids was produced in crude extract from the alkalization of “Kusnezoff monkshood root.” A refined sample method was proposed to enrich two types of alkaloids by liquid–liquid extraction, i.e. lipo‐alkaloids and monoester‐diterpenoid alkaloids. The pH‐zone‐refining counter‐current chromatography was performed with an optimized two‐phase solvent system composed of n‐hexane‐ethyl acetate–methanol–water (3:5:4:5, v/v), where upper organic phase was added to 3 mmol/L triethylamine as a retainer and lower aqueous mobile phase was added to 3 mmol/L hydrochloric acid as an eluter. As a result, six aconitum alkaloids, including two lipo‐alkaloids (8‐lino‐14‐benzoylaconine, 8‐pal‐14‐benzoylaconine), three monoester‐diterpenoid alkaloids (14‐benzoylmesaconine, 14‐benzoylaconine, beyzoyldeoxyaconine), and one aconine alkaloid (neoline) were acquired from the plant at the same time. The anti‐inflammatory activities of the two new lipo‐alkaloids were compared to the six alkaloids in vitro, in cyclo‐oxygen‐ase‐2 inhibition assays. The separation mechanism of six alkaloids by pH‐zone‐refining counter‐current chromatography was illustrated.     

Simultaneous quantification of 11 isoquinoline alkaloids in Corydalis impatiens (Pall.) Fisch by HPLC

Isoquinoline alkaloids are the primary active ingredients of Corydalis, but an analytical method for quality assessment of the active ingredients in Corydalis impatiens (Pall). Fisch has not been reported. A new, simple, and multiple‐component quantification method was developed for the simultaneous quantification of 11 isoquinoline alkaloids including capnoidine, chelianthifoline, bicuculline, protopine, isoapocavidine, apocavidine, cavidine, tetrahydroepiberberine, ochotensimine, tetrahydrocoptisine, and tetrahydrocorysamine in C. impatiens. Separation of the isoquinoline alkaloids was performed on a RP C₁₈ column (150 × 4.6 mm, 5 μm) with potassium dihydrogen phosphate buffer (pH 2.5, adjusted by phosphoric acid)/acetonitrile (53:47, v/v) containing 0.3% sodium dodecyl sulfonate. The flow rate and detection wavelength were set at 1 mL/min and 295 nm, respectively. Full validation of the assay was carried out including linearity, precision, accuracy, stability, LOD, and limit of quantitation. All calibration curves showed a good linear relationship (r > 0.999) in test range. The results demonstrated that the developed method was reliable, rapid, and specific. Six batches of C. impatiens samples from different sources were determined using the established method. The contents of alkaloids ranged from 11.68 to 351.83 μg/g. This method can be applied for quality evaluation and control of C. impatiens. Eleven isoquinoline alkaloids were first reported on simultaneous determination with HPLC.     

Mass‐spectrometry‐directed analysis and purification of pyrrolizidine alkaloid cis/trans isomers in Gynura japonica

Pyrrolizidine alkaloids are highly hepatotoxic natural chemicals that produce irreversible chronic and acute hepatotoxic effects on human beings. Purification of large amounts of pyrrolizidine alkaloids is necessary for toxicity studies. In this study, an efficient method for targeted analysis and purification of pyrrolizidine alkaloid cis/trans isomers from herbal materials was developed for the first time. Targeted analysis of the hepatotoxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids was performed by liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (precursor ion scan and daughter ion scan), and the purification of pyrrolizidine alkaloids was achieved with a mass‐directed auto purification system. The extraction and preparative liquid chromatography conditions were optimized. The developed method was applied to analysis of Gynura japonica (Thunb.) Juel., a herbal medicine traditionally used for detumescence and relieving pain but is potentially hepatotoxic as it contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids. Twelve pyrrolizidine alkaloids (six cis/trans isomer pairs) were identified with reference compounds or characterized by liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry, and five individual pyrrolizidine alkaloids, including (E)‐seneciphylline, seneciphylline, integerrimine, senecionine, and seneciphyllinine, were prepared from G. japonica roots with high efficiency. The results of this work provide a new technique for the preparation of large amounts of pyrrolizidine alkaloid reference substances, which will also benefit toxicological studies of pyrrolizidine alkaloids and treatments for pyrrolizidine alkaloid‐induced toxicity.     

Dicationic imidazolium ionic liquid modified silica as a novel reversed‐phase/anion‐exchange mixed‐mode stationary phase for high‐performance liquid chromatography

A dicationic imidazolium ionic liquid modified silica stationary phase was prepared and evaluated by reversed‐phase/anion‐exchange mixed‐mode chromatography. Model compounds (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and anilines) were separated well on the column by reversed‐phase chromatography; inorganic anions (bromate, bromide, nitrate, iodide, and thiocyanate), and organic anions (p‐aminobenzoic acid, p‐anilinesulfonic acid, sodium benzoate, pathalic acid, and salicylic acid) were also separated individually by anion‐exchange chromatography. Based on the multiple sites of the stationary phase, the column could separate 14 solutes containing the above series of analytes in one run. The dicationic imidazolium ionic liquid modified silica can interact with hydrophobic analytes by the hydrophobic C₆ chain; it can enhance selectivity to aromatic compounds by imidazolium groups; and it also provided anion‐exchange and electrostatic interactions with ionic solutes. Compared with a monocationic ionic liquid functionalized stationary phase, the new stationary phase represented enhanced selectivity owing to more interaction sites.     

Purification of alkaloids from Corydalis yanhusuo W. T. Wang using preparative 2‐D HPLC

Two‐dimensional preparative multi‐channel parallel high performance liquid chromatography was successfully applied for the first time to isolate and purify alkaloids from Corydalis yanhusuo. The experiments were performed in off‐line mode using the same preparative chromatographic column with pH 3.5 in the first and pH 10.0 in the second separation dimension. In the preparative process, UV‐triggered fraction collection was used in the first dimension while UV and MS‐triggered collection were used in the second dimension for reasons of sensitivity and complementarity. Two pure compounds and nine fractions were obtained in the first dimension. Then two representative fractions were further purified in the second dimension and six pure compounds were obtained. The results demonstrated that this procedure is an effective approach for the preparative isolation and purification of alkaloids from Corydalis yanhusuo. Based on the different pH values of the mobile phase in this method, it is also suitable for the preparative isolation and purification of other compounds from TCMs which are sensitive to the pH of the solutions. Moreover, this method will be a promising tool for the purification of low content compounds from natural products.     

Enhanced‐fluidity liquid chromatography using mixed‐mode hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography/strong cation‐exchange retention mechanisms

The potential of enhanced‐fluidity liquid chromatography, a subcritical chromatography technique, in mixed‐mode hydrophilic interaction/strong cation‐exchange separations is explored, using amino acids as analytes. The enhanced‐fluidity liquid mobile phases were prepared by adding liquefied CO₂ to methanol/water mixtures, which increases the diffusivity and decreases the viscosity of the mixture. The addition of CO₂ to methanol/water mixtures resulted in increased retention of the more polar amino acids. The “optimized” chromatographic performance (achieving baseline resolution of all amino acids in the shortest amount of time) of these methanol/water/CO₂ mixtures was compared to traditional acetonitrile/water and methanol/water liquid chromatography mobile phases. Methanol/water/CO₂ mixtures offered higher efficiencies and resolution of the ten amino acids relative to the methanol/water mobile phase, and decreased the required isocratic separation time by a factor of two relative to the acetonitrile/water mobile phase. Large differences in selectivity were also observed between the enhanced‐fluidity and traditional liquid mobile phases. A retention mechanism study was completed, that revealed the enhanced‐fluidity mobile phase separation was governed by a mixed‐mode retention mechanism of hydrophilic interaction/strong cation‐exchange. On the other hand, separations with acetonitrile/water and methanol/water mobile phases were strongly governed by only one retention mechanism, either hydrophilic interaction or strong cation exchange, respectively.     

Efficient separation of high‐purity compounds from Oxytropis falcata using two‐dimensional preparative chromatography

The separation of high‐purity compounds from traditional Tibetan medicines plays an important role in investigating their bioactivity. Nevertheless, it is often quite difficult to isolate compounds with high purity because of the complexity of traditional Tibetan medicines. In this work, an offline two‐dimensional reversed‐phase preparative method was successfully developed for the separation of high‐purity compounds from Oxytropis falcata . Based on the analysis results, an ODS C18 prep column was used for first‐dimensional preparation, and 14.8 g of the crude sample was separated into five fractions with a recovery of 74.6%. Then, an XAqua C18 prep column was used to isolate high‐purity compounds in the second‐dimensional preparation because its separation selectivity is different with the ODS C18 stationary phase. As a result, eight compounds in the crude sample were isolated in more than 98% purity. This is the first report of trans‐cinnamic acid ( 1 ) and trifolirhizin ( 2 ) from Oxytropis falcata . This method has the potential to be an efficient separation method of high‐purity compounds from Oxytropis falcata and it shows great promise for the separation of high‐purity compounds from complex samples.     

Identification and metabolite profiling of alkaloids in aerial parts of Papaver rhoeas by liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time‐of‐flight tandem mass spectrometry

Papaver plants can produce diverse bioactive alkaloids. Papaver rhoeas Linnaeus (common poppy or corn poppy) is an annual flowering medicinal plant used for treating cough, sleep disorder, and as a sedative, pain reliever, and food. It contains various powerful alkaloids like rhoeadine, benzylisoquinoline, and proaporphine. To investigate and identify alkaloids in the aerial parts of P. rhoeas, samples were collected at different growth stages and analyzed using liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time‐of‐flight tandem mass spectrometry. A liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry method was developed for the identification and metabolite profiling of alkaloids for P. rhoeas by comparing with Papaver somniferum. Eighteen alkaloids involved in benzylisoquinoline alkaloid biosynthesis were used to optimize the liquid chromatography gradient and mass spectrometry conditions. Fifty‐five alkaloids, including protoberberine, benzylisoquinoline, aporphine, benzophenanthridine, and rhoeadine‐type alkaloids, were identified authentically or tentatively by liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time‐of‐flight tandem mass spectrometry in samples taken during various growth stages. Rhoeadine alkaloids were observed only in P. rhoeas samples, and codeine and morphine were tentatively identified in P. somniferum. The liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time‐of‐flight tandem mass spectrometry method can be a powerful tool for the identification of diverse metabolites in the genus Papaver. These results may help understand the biosynthesis of alkaloids in P. rhoeas and evaluate the quality of this plant for possible medicinal applications.     

Ultrafiltration liquid chromatography combined with high‐speed countercurrent chromatography for screening and isolating potential α‐glucosidase and xanthine oxidase inhibitors from Cortex Phellodendri

Cortex Phellodendri is a typical Chinese herb with a large number of alkaloids existing in all parts of it. The most common methods for screening and isolating alkaloids are mostly labor intensive and time consuming. In this study, a new assay based upon ultrafiltration liquid chromatography was developed for the rapid screening of ligands for α‐glucosidase and xanthine oxidase. The C. Phellodendri extract was found to contain two alkaloids with both α‐glucosidase‐ and xanthine oxidase binding activities and one lactone with α‐glucosidase‐binding activity. Subsequently, with the help of high‐speed countercurrent chromatography, the specific binding ligands including palmatine, berberine, and obaculactone with purities of 97.38, 96.12, and 96.08%, respectively, were successfully separated. An optimized low‐toxicity two‐phase solvent system composed of ethyl acetate/n‐butanol/ethanol/water (3.5:1.7:0.5:5, v/v/v/v) was used to isolate the three compounds mentioned above from C. Phellodendri. The targeted compounds were identified by liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry and NMR spectroscopy. Therefore, ultrafiltration liquid chromatography combined with high‐speed countercurrent chromatography is not only a powerful tool for screening and isolating α‐glucosidase and xanthine oxidase inhibitors in complex samples but is also a useful platform for discovering bioactive compounds for the prevention and treatment of diabetes mellitus and gout.