Qualitative and quantitative analysis of Rhizoma Smilacis glabrae by ultra high performance liquid chromatography coupled with LTQ OrbitrapXL hybrid mass spectrometry.

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

doi:10.3390/molecules190710427

Abstract

Rhizoma Smilacis glabrae, a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) as well as a functional food, has been commonly used for detoxification treatments, relieving dampness and as a diuretic. In order to quickly define the chemical profiles and control the quality of Smilacis glabrae, ultra high performance 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 its bioactive constituents. A total of 56 compounds, including six new compounds, were identified or tentatively deduced on the basis of their retention behaviors, mass spectra, or by comparison with reference substances and literature data. The identified compounds belonged to flavonoids, phenolic acids and phenylpropanoid glycosides. In addition, an optimized UHPLC-ESI/LTQ-Orbitrap-MS method was established for quantitative determination of six marker compounds from five batches. The validation of the method, including linearity, sensitivity (LOQ), precision, repeatability and spike recoveries, was carried out and demonstrated to be satisfied the requirements of quantitative analysis. The results suggested that the established method would be a powerful and reliable analytical tool for the characterization of multi-constituent in complex chemical system and quality control of TCM.

Highlights

The rhizome of Smilacis glabrae Roxb is a well-known traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) with great medicinal values
Phytochemical studies have shown the presence of abundant compounds in S. glabrae, such as flavonoids, phenolic acids and phenylpropanoid glycosides [2,3], among which flavonoids were considered to be the primary bioactive constituents of the herbal medicine
To inhibit ionization of the acidic ingredients in Smilacis glabrae extract, formic acid was added to the mobile phase

Summary

Introduction

The rhizome of Smilacis glabrae Roxb (family Smilacaceae) is a well-known traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) with great medicinal values. It is officially listed in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia and has been widely used for detoxification treatments, relieving dampness and as a diuretic [1]. It was consumed as a functional food. People in China like to use it to boil soup or tea for clearing damp It is one of the main ingredients of turtle jelly (Gui-ling-gao), a traditional functional food popular in Southern China and Hong Kong. Phytochemical studies have shown the presence of abundant compounds in S. glabrae, such as flavonoids, phenolic acids and phenylpropanoid glycosides [2,3], among which flavonoids were considered to be the primary bioactive constituents of the herbal medicine

Methods

Results

Conclusion