Identification and structural elucidation of steroidal saponins from the root of Paris polyphylla by HPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS

The root of Paris polyphylla (RPP) is widely used as a traditional Chinese medicine for a long time due to the good properties of heat-clearing and detoxicating, detumescence, sedation, acesodyne and haemostasis. To clarify on the bioactive substances and ensure the safety in clinical medication, a feasible and accurate strategy was developed by applying the high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to electrospray ionisation and quadrupole time-of-flight-mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS). Separation was performed an Agilent poroshell 120 EC-C18 column (2.7 × 100 mm, i.d., 2.7 μm) with 0.1% formic acid aqueous solution and acetonitrile as the mobile phase under gradient conditions. Based on the proposed strategy, 30 constituents, mainly including steroidal saponins, were characterised or tentatively identified, 2 of which were the first to be reported as the potential new steroidal saponins in RPP. In conclusion, the HPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS is a feasible and credible technique to separate and identify steroidal saponins from botanical extracts.     

Rapid identification and analysis of the major chemical constituents from the fruits of Sapindus mukorossi by HPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS

Abstract

In the present work, high performance liquid chromatography coupled to electrospray ionization and quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS) has been used for the identification of the major chemical constituents from the fruits of Sapindus mukorossi. A total of 31 peaks were identified based on their accurate masses and fragmentation characteristics. Among these 9 acyclic sesquiterpene oligoglycosides and 8 triterpenoid saponins were reported from the fruits of Sapindus mukorossi for the first time. This study demonstrates the potential of HPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS for analysis and identification of acyclic sesquiterpene oligoglycosides and triterpenoid saponins.     

HPLC法测定虎舌红药物中的去氢飞廉碱

建立了测定虎舌红药物中喹唑酮类生物碱的HPLC方法。色谱柱为Diamonsil C18柱(250 mm×4.6 mm i.d.,5μm),流动相为V(0.2%三乙胺溶液)∶V(乙腈)=35∶65;检测波长:345 nm;流速:1.0 mL/min。结果表明,喹唑酮类生物碱可以得到有效的分离,去氢飞廉碱在0.02~0.15μg间呈线性关系(r=0.9995)。     

Detection of flavonoids from Spinacia oleracea leaves using HPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS and UPLC-QqQLIT-MS/MS techniques

Spinacia oleracea L. (Spinach) is a leafy vegetable which is considered to have a high nutritional value. Flavonoids in spinach were reported to act as antimutagenic property. Rapid detection of these flavonoids in Spinach was achieved by using HPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS. Thirty six compounds were tentatively identified based on their retention times, accurate mass and MS/MS spectra. The fragmentation patterns of known compounds were applied to elucidate the structure of their corresponding derivatives having the same basic skeleton. Out of thirty six peaks, three peaks were assigned as patuletin and six peaks were assigned as spinacetin derivatives. Twelve compounds were first time identified following the fragmentation pattern of known compounds. Five of the identified compounds i.e., spinacetin, 5,3′,4′-trihydroxy-3-methoxy-6,7-methylenedioxyflavone, protocatechuic acid, ferulic acid and coumaric acid were simultaneously quantified in spinach leaves by a validated UPLC-ESI-MS/MS method under MRM mode.     

Antimicrobial activity-guided identification of compounds from the deciduous leaves of Malus doumeri by HPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS

This paper intends to identify the antimicrobial activity compounds from the deciduous leaves of Malus doumeri (Dong Li Tea) by HPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS. The ethanol extracts of Malus doumeri were partitioned into petroleum ether, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, n-butanol and water fraction, respectively. The antimicrobial screening experiments showed that ethyl acetate fraction has a certain antibacterial activity by inhibition zone method in vitro. And then we used the HPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS method to verify the identities of bioactive compounds. Finally, 41 compounds were determined and 11 of which were firstly reported in this plant. Notably, compounds (32, 34, 38) are new dihydrochalcones, and three chlorogenic acid analogues (10, 13, 17) may be potential antimicrobial active ingredient. Which is of great significance to the isolation of novel compounds and the discovery of new natural preservative candidates from the deciduous leaves of Malus doumeri.     

Three new triterpenoid saponins from the roots of Ardisia crenata and their cytotoxic activities

Three new triterpenoid saponins, ardisicrenoside O (1), ardisicrenoside P (2) and ardisicrenoside Q (3) together with three known compounds, 3β,16α-dihydroxy-30-methoxy-28, 30-epoxy-olean-12-en, cyclamiretin A 3-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1→2) -α-l-arabinopyranoside and cyclamiretin A 3-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1→4) -α-l-arabinopyranoside were isolated from the roots of Ardisia crenata Sims. Their structures were determined by one- and two-dimensional NMR techniques, including HSQC, HMBC and TOCSY experiments, as well as acid hydrolysis and GC analysis. All isolates were evaluated for the cytotoxic activities on two human cancer cell lines and compounds 3, 5 and 6 showed significant cytotoxicity.     

虎舌红多糖的分离纯化与性质研究

采用水提醇沉法提取虎舌红多糖,经DEAE-C32柱层析分离,Sephadex G-200进一步纯化,得到AⅠ和AⅡ二种虎舌红多糖,Sephadex G-200凝胶过滤法表明,AⅠ组分为均一组分,其相对分子质量为2.76×104,借助气相色谱技术,研究了粗多糖和AⅠ组分的单糖组成.     

ESI-QqTOF-MS/MS and APCI-IT-MS/MS analysis of steroid saponins from the rhizomes of Dioscorea panthaica

Using high-resolution quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry along with an electrospray ionization source (ESI-QqTOF-MS), accurate molecular weights of 13 steroid saponins extracted from the rhizomes of Dioscorea panthaica were acquired and the corresponding molecular formulae obtained. In order to elucidate the fragmentation pathways of steroid saponins in D. panthaica, 10 authentic samples were investigated using ESI-QqTOF-MS/MS. In addition, atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry combined with ion trap tandem mass spectrometry (APCI-IT-MS/MS) was used to analyze the structures of 13 steroid saponins in D. panthaica. Through the analysis of their tandem mass data, diagnostic fragment ions of the spirostanol and furostanol steroid saponins in D. panthaica were detected as m/z 271.2056 and 253.1951. In addition, four pairs of isomers were detected and the possible structures of four unknown steroid saponins in D. panthaica speculated. ESI-TOF and APCI-MS(n) have proved to be effective tools for research on fragmentation mechanism of steroid saponins and the rapid determination of native steroid saponins in extract mixture, thereby avoiding tedious derivation and separation steps.     

Validated UHPLC–MS/MS method for simultaneous determination of four triterpene saponins from Akebia trifoliata extract in rat plasma and its application to a pharmacokinetic study

Saponin PH, akemisaponins E, saponin PJ₁ and scheffoleoside A, the main bioactive triterpene saponins of Chinese traditional medicine Akebia trifoliata, contribute to its diuretic pharmacological activity. Because of interactions of the multiple ingredients in vivo, pharmacokinetic studies of multiple triterpenes after administration of A. trifoliata extract are essential to clarify their pharmacological effects. The purpose of this study was to develop an efficient and sensitive UHPLC–MS/MS method for simultaneous determination of these four triterpene saponins in rat plasma. The biosamples were prepared by liquid–liquid extraction with n‐butanol. The chromatographic separation was performed on a Phenomenex Luna^® C₁₈ (150 × 2 mm, 3 μm) with a mobile phase consisting of acetonitrile and water at a flow rate of 0.5 mL/min. The MS/MS system was operated in a negative multiple reaction monitoring mode, and the precursor–product ion transitions were optimized as m/z 941.6 → 471.1 for saponin PH, 941.7 → 471.2 for akemisaponins E, 1089.7 → 601.1 for saponin PJ₁, 957.6 → 487.4 for scheffoleoside A and 799.5 → 637.3 for ginsenoside Rg₁ (Rg₁, internal standard). Method validation parameters (calibration curve linearity, lower limit of detection, recovery, matrix effect, intra‐ and inter‐day precision) were within the acceptable ranges. This is the first reported on the UHPLC–MS/MS detection of saponin PH, akemisaponins E, saponin PJ₁ and scheffoleoside A, and applied to a preclinical pharmacokinetic study after oral administration of A. trifoliata extract in rats. This study provides a basis for clinical application and further development of A. trifoliata extract.     

New pentacyclic triterpene saponins with strong anti-leishmanial activity from the leaves of Maesa balansae

Six new triterpene saponins bearing an oxygen bridge between C-13 and C-28 and with pronounced anti-leishmanial activity were isolated from the methanolic extract of leaves of the Vietnamese medicinal plant Maesa balansae. The structure was established on the basis of detailed NMR (COSY, NOESY, HMQC, HMBC, TOCSY and DEPT) and FAB-MS studies along with chemical degradation. All saponins identified contained the same pentaglycosidic side chain, but a different esterification pattern on the triterpenoid part. Biological evaluation of the individual compounds against visceral leishmaniasis (Leishmania infantum amastigotes) revealed a much better activity in vitro compared to the reference compound Pentostam^®, which is currently used as first-line treatment for leishmaniasis.     

Congmujingnosides B-G,triterpene saponins from the stem of Aralia chinensis and their protective effects against H2O2-induced myocardial cell injury

Phytochemical investigation of the stem of Aralia chinensis yielded six new oleanane-type triterpene saponins named as congmujingnosides B-G (1–6). The new ones were elucidated on the basis of the chemical and spectroscopic analysis. Protective effects of compounds 1?6 were tested against H₂O₂-induced H9c2 cardiomyocyte injury, and the data showed that compounds 1 and 5 had significant cell-protective effects. No significant DPPH radical scavenging activity was observed for compounds 1?6.     

Energy‐resolved technique for discovery and identification of malonyl‐triterpene saponins in Caulophyllum robustum by UHPLC‐electrospray Fourier transform mass spectrometry

Malonyl‐triterpene saponins (MTSs) attract scientific attentions because of their structural diversities and valuable bioactivities. However, its thermal instability brings a huge amount of challenges for isolation and purification of this class of compounds. To our best knowledge, there has been no report on isolation and analysis of MTSs from genus Caulophyllum. In this study, a strategy combining data acquisition using an energy‐resolved technique and the narrow widow extracted ion chromatograms as data mining method was developed for discovery and identification of MTSs in Caulophyllum robustum hair roots by ultra high liquid chromatography coupled to electrospray ionization Fourier transform mass spectrometry. The method was performed at an independent MS full scan using our bottom‐up energies by in‐source collision induced dissociations with 0, 25, 50 and 100 eV in both positive and negative modes. Precursor ion as well as fragment ion information was simultaneously collected from four energy‐resolved MS spectra in a single run of 18 min. The fragmentation pathways of intact deprotonated, protonated and sodium ions of MTSs were proposed for the structural elucidation of Caulophyllum MTSs. A flowchart involving a stepwise procedure based on key fragments from ESI^?/ESI⁺‐FT‐MS^{(1, 1)} to MS^{(1, 4)} spectra was constructed for the identification of structural elements in the MTSs. As a result, a total of 23 MTSs were discovered and tentatively identified, which had not been reported from Caulophyllum species before. All of these were potentially new compounds. This study provides an excellent example for discovery and identification of MTSs in herb medicines. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

LC/ESI‐MS/MS characterisation of lipopeptide biosurfactants produced by the Bacillus licheniformis V9T14 strain

Lipopeptide biosurfactants produced by the Bacillus licheniformis V9T14 strain showed an interesting anti‐adhesion activity against biofilm formation of human pathogenic bacterial strains. The chemical characterisation of the crude extract of V9T14 strain was first developed through electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry (ESI‐MS) and ESI‐MS/MS direct infusions: two sets of molecular ion species belonging to the fengycin and surfactin families were revealed and their structures defined, interpreting their product ion spectra. The LC/ESI‐MS analysis of the crude extract allowed to separate in different chromatogram ranges the homologues and the isoforms of the two lipopeptide families. The extract was then fractionated by silica gel chromatography in two main fractions, I and II. The purified biosurfactants were analysed through a new, rapid and suitable LC/ESI‐MS/MS method, which allowed characterising the composition and the structures of the produced lipopeptides. LC/ESI‐MS/MS analysis of fraction I showed the presence of C₁₃, C₁₄ and C₁₅ surfactin homologues, whose structures were confirmed by the product ion spectra of the sodiated molecules [M + Na]⁺ at m/z 1030, 1044 and 1058. LC/ESI‐MS/MS analysis of fraction II confirmed the presence of two main fengycin isoforms, with the protonated molecules [M + H]⁺ at m/z 1478 and 1506 corresponding to C₁₇ fengycin A and C₁₇ fengycin B, respectively. Other homologues (C₁₄ to C₁₆) were revealed and confirmed as belonging to fengycin A or B according to the retention times and the product ions generated, although with the same nominal mass. Finally, a relative percentage content of each homologue for both lipopeptides families in the whole extract was proposed. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A sensitive HPLC–MS/MS method for the simultaneous determination of anemoside B4, anemoside A3 and 23‐hydroxybetulinic acid: Application to the pharmacokinetics and liver distribution of Pulsatilla chinensis saponins

Pulsatilla chinensis saponins, the major active components in the herb, have drawn great attention as potential hepatitis B virus infection and hepatoma treatments. Here, a sensitive and accurate HPLC–MS/MS method was established for simultaneous determination of three saponins – anemoside B4, anemoside A3 and 23‐hydroxybetulinic acid – in rat plasma and liver, and fully validated. The method was successfully applied to a pharmacokinetics and liver distribution study of P. chinensis saponins. Consequently, 23‐hydroxybetulinic acid, with an extremely low content in the P. chinensis saponins, exhibited the highest exposure in the liver and in sites before and after hepatic disposition, namely, in the portal vein plasma and systemic plasma, followed by anemoside B4, which showed the highest content in the herb, whereas anemoside A3 displayed quite limited exposure. The hepatic first‐pass effects were 71% for 23‐hydroxybetulinic acid, 27% for anemoside B4 and 37% for anemoside A3, corresponding to their different extents of liver distribution. To our knowledge, this is the first investigation on the liver first‐pass effect and distribution of P. chinensis saponins to date. These results also provide valuable information for the understanding of the pharmacological effect of P. chinensis saponins on liver diseases.     

Identification and structural characterization of in vivo metabolites of ketorolac using liquid chromatography electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (LC/ESI‐MS/MS)

In vivo metabolites of ketorolac (KTC) have been identified and characterized by using liquid chromatography positive ion electrospray ionization high resolution tandem mass spectrometry (LC/ESI‐HR‐MS/MS) in combination with online hydrogen/deuterium exchange (HDX) experiments. To identify in vivo metabolites, blood urine and feces samples were collected after oral administration of KTC to Sprague–Dawley rats. The samples were prepared using an optimized sample preparation approach involving protein precipitation and freeze liquid separation followed by solid‐phase extraction and then subjected to LC/HR‐MS/MS analysis. A total of 12 metabolites have been identified in urine samples including hydroxy and glucuronide metabolites, which are also observed in plasma samples. In feces, only O‐sulfate metabolite and unchanged KTC are observed. The structures of metabolites were elucidated using LC‐MS/MS and MSⁿ experiments combined with accurate mass measurements. Online HDX experiments have been used to support the structural characterization of drug metabolites. The main phase I metabolites of KTC are hydroxylated and decarbonylated metabolites, which undergo subsequent phase II glucuronidation pathways. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Identification of arsenolipids with GC/MS

Arsenic-containing hydrocarbons have recently been reported as natural constituents of fish oil. We report a simple method for determining these compounds by GC/MS. Application of the methodology will delineate the distribution of these novel arsenic compounds in foods, and facilitate an assessment of the toxicological implications.     

Identification of chemical constituents in Rhizoma Paridis Saponins and their oral administration in rat plasma by UPLC/Q‐TOF/MS

On‐line ultra‐performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) coupled with diode‐array detection (UPLC/DAD) and electrospray ionization quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (ESI‐Q‐TOF‐MS) were used for separation, identification and structural analyses of saponins in Rhizoma Paridis saponins (RPS) and rat plasma after oral administration of RPS. Thirty steroidal saponins in RPS were identified by comparing their retention time, accurate mass measurement and positive and negative mass spectrometry data with that of reference compounds. The UPLC/Q‐TOF‐MS method was proved to be rapid and efficient in that 30 steroidal saponins, including three kinds of saponins (prototype, pennogenyl and diosgenyl saponins) were tentatively characterized within 6 min. After oral administration of RPS, 21 original saponins were absorbed in RPS‐treated rat plasma. Our results indicated that UPLC/Q‐TOF‐MS is a rapid and effective tool for identification of a series of saponins at trace level. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Identification and determination of the major constituents in Kai‐Xin‐San by UPLC‐Q/TOF MS and UFLC‐MS/MS method

In order to have overall chemical material information of Kai‐Xin‐San (KXS), the reliable ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatography quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometer (UHPLC–Q‐TOF‐MS) and ultra‐fast liquid chromatography mass spectrometer (UFLC‐MS/MS) methods were developed for the identification and determination of the major constituents in KXS. Moreover, the UHPLC–Q‐TOF‐MS method was also applied to screen for multiple absorbed components in rat plasma after oral administration of KXS. The UHPLC–Q‐TOF‐MS method was achieved on Agilent 6520 Q‐TOF mass and operated in the negative ion mode. Good separation was performed on a ZORBAX Eclipse Plus C18 column with a gradient elution at a flow rate of 0.2 ml/min. A total of 92 compounds in KXS were identified or tentatively characterized based on their exact molecular weights, fragmentation patterns, and literature data. A total of 26 compounds including 23 prototype components and three metabolites were identified in rat plasma after oral administration of KXS. Then, 16 major bioactive constituents were chosen as the benchmark substances to evaluate the quality of KXS. Their quantitative analyses were performed by a triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometer (MS/MS) operating in multiple‐reaction monitoring mode(MRM). The analysis was completed with a gradient elution at a flow rate of 0.4 ml/min within 35 min. The simple and fast method was validated and showed good linearity, precision, and recovery. Furthermore, the method was successful applied for the determination of 16 compounds in KXS. All results would provide essential data for identification and quality control of active chemical constituents in KXS. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

粮食中磺酰脲类除草剂的UPLC/MS/MS测定方法

建立了多类粮食作物中15种磺酰脲类除草剂的超高效液相色谱-串联质谱联用仪(UPLC/MS/MS)多离子监测(MRM)的多残留检测方法。样品经乙腈提取,乙腈饱和的正己烷液-液分配,石墨化碳氨基小柱净化,采用UPLC-MS/MS(ESI+)测定。方法中各种磺酰脲类除草剂在5～200μg/L浓度范围内线性良好,相关系数在0.9995～0.9999。在5～100μg/kg范围内,平均加标回收率在71.6%～115.3%之间,相对标准偏差不大于15%。各种药物的定量限(S/N≥10)均可达到5μg/kg。该方法可同时满足大豆、大米、玉米等多种粮食中磺酰脲类除草剂的检测需求。     

液相色谱-串联质谱法测定地表水中的丙烯酰胺

建立了地表水中丙烯酰胺残留的液相色谱-串联质谱联用测定方法。结果表明,该法的检出限0．1μg,线性范围0．1～100．0μg/L,加标回收率81．7％～86．4％。