Simultaneous Quantification of Ten Active Components in Traditional Chinese Formula Sijunzi Decoction Using a UPLC-PDA Method.

Kang An,Zhang Zhen,Guo Jin-Rui,Wang Xiao-Long

doi:10.1155/2014/570359

Abstract

Sijunzi decoction (SJZT), a traditional Chinese formula (TCMF) consisting of four herbs, has been widely used for the treatment of various gastrointestinal symptoms. However, its modernization process is hindered by the lack of a powerful quality control method that covers the major active components in the formula. The aim of this study was to establish a UPLC method for the quantitative determination of ten active components in Sijunzi decoction including ginsenoside Rg1, Re, Rb1, liquiritin, liquiritigenin, glycyrrhizic acid, atractylenolide I, atractylenolide II, atractylenolide III, and pachymic acid. Separation was achieved using an ACQUITY UPLC BEHC18 column (2.1 mm × 100 mm, 1.7 μm) with a gradient elution program consisting of acetonitrile and 0.1% phosphoric acid solution. The detection wavelengths were set at 203, 254, 222, and 267 nm. The method was validated for linearity, accuracy, precision, limit of detection, and limit of quantification. The validated method was successfully applied to the simultaneous quantification of ten active compounds from several finished batches of SJZT. This validated that UPLC method is expected to provide a new basis for the quality control of SJZT.

Highlights

Traditional Chinese herbal formulation (TCMF) has been widely used in the clinic for its well-proven efficacy with few side effects
Sijunzi decoction (SJZT) is one of the most famous TCMFs consisting of four herbs: Radix Ginseng, Poria cocos, Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae, and Radix Glycyrrhizae
Previous studies have quantitatively determined the main components existing in the four individual herbs of SJZT, namely, Radix Ginseng [6, 7], Poria cocos [8], Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae[9, 10], and Glycyrrhiza uralensis [11,12,13], by using HPLC or ultraperformance liquid chromatography (UPLC) methods

Summary

Introduction

Traditional Chinese herbal formulation (TCMF) has been widely used in the clinic for its well-proven efficacy with few side effects. SJZT could play a good supporting role in suppressing tumors and confer a protective effect on gastrointestinal mucosa damage induced by chemotherapy [4]. Supporting these well-confirmed pharmacological efficacies, recent years have seen an increasing knowledge of the chemical components from SJZT. Previous studies have quantitatively determined the main components existing in the four individual herbs of SJZT, namely, Radix Ginseng [6, 7], Poria cocos [8], Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae[9, 10], and Glycyrrhiza uralensis [11,12,13], by using HPLC or UPLC methods. The potential application of this study could support a quality control of SJZT and provide a theoretical basis for further in-depth research of SJZT in clinical research

Experimental

H Atractylenolide II

Results and Discussion

Conclusion