Identification and quantitative characterization of PSORI-CM01, a Chinese medicine formula for psoriasis therapy, by liquid chromatography coupled with an LTQ Orbitrap mass spectrometer.

Shao-Dan Chen,Rui-Zhi Zhao,Chuan-Jian Lu

doi:10.3390/molecules20011594

Abstract

PSORI-CM01 is a Chinese medicine formula prepared from medicinal herbs and used in China for the treatment of psoriasis. However, the chemical constituents in PSORI-CM01 have not been clarified yet. In order to quickly define the chemical profiles and control the quality of PSORI-CM01 preparations, ultra-high liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization hybrid linear trap quadrupole Orbitrap mass spectrometry (UHPLC-ESI-LTQ/Orbitrap-MS) was applied for simultaneous identification and quantification of multiple constituents. A total of 108 compounds, including organic acids, phenolic acids, flavonoids, and terpenoids, were identified or tentatively deduced on the base of their retention behaviors, MS and MSn data, or by comparing with reference substances and literature data. In addition, an optimized UHPLC-ESI-MS method was established for the quantitative determination of 14 marker compounds in different dosage forms of PSORI-CM01 preparations. The validation of the method, including spike recoveries, linearity, sensitivity (LOQ), precision, and repeatability, was carried out and demonstrated to be satisfied the requirements of quantitative analysis. This is the first report on the comprehensive determination of chemical constituents in PSORI-CM01 preparations by UHPLC-ESI-LTQ/Orbitrap mass spectrometry. The results suggested that the established methods would be a powerful and reliable analytical tool for the characterization of multi-constituents in complex chemical system and quality control of TCM preparations.

Highlights

As known, the Chinese nation, with a history of more than 5000 years of civilization, largely relies on Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)
An efficient and sensitive method employing ultra-high liquid chromatography coupled with linear trap quadrupole and high resolution mass analyzer-orbitrap (UHPLC-LTQ/Orbitrap) was developed for the qualitative and quantitative analysis of chemical constituents of PSORI-CM01 preparations
All compounds identified were found to be existed in individual traditional Chinese medicines of PSORI-CM01 preparation

Summary

Introduction

The Chinese nation, with a history of more than 5000 years of civilization, largely relies on Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). TCM still plays a huge role in health care, disease prevention and treatment in China today. This is the reason why TCM has been deeply rooted in China and other. TCM, is an important and indispensable “alternative medicine” or “complementary medicine”, but has been entrusted with hopes for disease prevention and treatment in the future. Traditional Chinese medicine prescriptions (TCMPs), or TCM formulae, which are applied according to certain compatibility rules, are the main and important clinical applications of TCM. TCM is commonly considered to operate due to the synergistic effects of all the major and minor components in the medicines. Sensitive and comprehensive analytical techniques are needed to acquire a better understanding of the substance basis of TCM and to enhance the product quality control [3]

Methods

Results

Conclusion