Chemometrics-based Chemical Analysis of Myrrh and Its Vinegar-processed Products by UPLC-MS/MS

Myrrh is widely used in clinical practice but accompanied by obvious toxicity. According to traditional Chinese medicines theory, processing with vinegar can effectively reduce its toxicity. However, the detoxification processing technology of Myrrh and the corresponding mechanism have been unclear. The objective of this study is to systematically analyze the variation in chemical composition of raw Myrrh and its processed products using UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS coupled with chemometrics. A total of 75 compounds including 56 sesquiterpenoids, 2 diterpenoids, 15 triterpenoids and 2 other types were identified. Raw Myrrh and its processed products were divided into two major groups, and 14 chemical markers were selected out by principal component analysis and partial least square discriminant analysis. Additionally, the exact content of 5 representative chemical markers was determined to be significantly reduced after vinegar-processing by UPLC-QQQ-MS/MS. Moreover, multivariate statistical analysis and the quantitative results comprehensively indicated that the optimized processing method was processing at a ratio of 200 : 5 (Myrrh:vinegar). This research provides not only a reliable foundation for the study of Myrrh, but also a scientific reference for clinical use of this herb.

[Simultaneous determination of seven artemisinin-related compounds in Artemisia annua by UPLC-QQQ-MS/MS]

A variety of compounds in Artemisia annua were simultaneously determined to evaluate the quality of A. annua from multiple perspectives. A method based on ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry(UPLC-QQQ-MS/MS) was established for the simultaneous determination of seven compounds: amorpha-4,11-diene, artemisinic aldehyde, dihydroartemisinic acid, artemisinic acid, artemisinin B, artemisitene, and artemisinin, in A. annua. The content of the seven compounds in different tissues(roots, stems, leaves, and lateral branches) of A. annua were compared. The roots, stems, leaves, and lateral branches of four-month-old A. annua were collected and the content of seven artemisinin-related compounds in different tissues was determined. A multi-reaction monitoring(MRM) acquisition mode of UPLC-QQQ-MS/MS was used, with a positive ion mode of atmospheric pressure chemical ion source(APCI). Chromatographic separation was achieved on an Eclipse Plus RRHD C_(18) column(2.1 mm×50 mm, 1.8 μm). The gradient elution was performed with the mobile phase consisted of formic acid(0.1%)-ammonium formate(5 mmol·L~(-1))(A) and the methanol(B) gradient program of 0-8 min, 55%-100% B, 8-11 min, 100% B, and equilibrium for 3 min, the flow rate of 0.6 mL·min~(-1), the column temperature of 40 ℃, the injection volume of 5 μL, and the detection time of 8 min. Through methodological investigation, a method based on UPLC-QQQ-MS/MS was established for the simultaneous quantitative determination of seven representative compounds involved in the biosynthesis of artemisinin. The content of artemisinin in A. annua was higher than that of artemisinin B, and the content of artemisinin and dihydroartemisinic acid were high in all the tissues of A. annua. The content of the seven compounds varied considerably in different tissues, with the highest levels in the leaves and neither artemisinene nor artemisinic aldehyde was detected in the roots. In this study, a quantitative method based on UPLC-QQQ-MS/MS for the simultaneous determination of seven representative compounds involved in the biosynthesis of artemisinin was established, which was accurate, sensitive, and highly efficient, and can be used for determining the content of artemisinin-related compounds in A. annua, breeding new varieties, and controlling the quality of Chinese medicinal materials.

Discovery of the material basis of Jiuwei Xifeng granules using pharmaco-chemistry and pharmacokinetics

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Jiuwei Xifeng granules (JWXF) is primarily used for the treatment of Tourette syndrome (TS) with kidney-Yin deficiency and internal stirring of liver wind. However, few studies have focused on this issue.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study aimed to clarify chemical composition of JWXF using in vitro and in vivo pharmaco-chemistry and to provide a basis for the clinical use of JWXF using a strategy of pharmacokinetics.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this study, the chemical constituents and in vivo metabolism of JWXF were evaluated using high performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (HPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS), and the time-dependent processes of the three main components in rats were detected using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (UPLC-QQQ-MS/MS).

RESULTS

A total of 75 constituents were identified, including 22 alkaloids, 21 terpenes, 15 organic acids and their derivatives, and 17 other compounds. After administration, 12 compounds were identified in rat plasma, including 11 prototypes and one metabolite. Pharmacokinetic analysis showed that the effects of gentiopicroside, gastrodin, and sweroside in rats were dose-dependent when the dose of JWXF was 1-4 g/kg. They were rapidly absorbed and did not accumulate in the plasma after 7-day continuous intragastric administration.

CONCLUSIONS

JWXF consists of 75 components, including alkaloids, terpenes, and organic acids. The three main compounds, gastrodin, gentiopicroside, and sweroside, undergo rapid absorption, elimination, and dose-dependent pharmacokinetics.

Comparison of production of bioactive components in Zanthoxylum nitidum taproots from different regions in southern China

Zanthoxylum nitidum (Roxb.) DC is a traditional Chinese herb from southern China and its 3-4-year old roots are used in medicine. However, there is a scarcity of studies on the differences in the content of different regions of the roots, as well as comprehensive evaluations of Z. nitidum from the main areas of production in China. This study used ultra performance liquid chromatography, triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry, HPLC, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy to detect and identify the bioactive components from different parts and eight regions of 4-year-old roots of Z. nitidum. Our results revealed that the types and quantities of compounds extracted were similar in root bark and root wood, although the amount of alkaloids in the former was substantially higher. The contents of four alkaloids in samples from Guangdong were higher than those in Guangxi Province. Meanwhile, hierarchical cluster analysis and principal component analysis showed that the samples from different regions were effectively identified and evaluated based on alkaloids and other bioactive substances. Our findings have significant implications for Z. nitidum harvesting and usage, as well as for origin identification, quality evaluation, and sensible use of Z. nitidum resources.

The localization of the alkaloids in Coptis chinensis rhizome by time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry

BACKGROUND

Understanding the spatial distribution of active compounds can effectively evaluate the quality of decoction pieces of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Traditional methods are economical and practical but lack chemical information on the original distribution. Time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (TOF-SIMS), with the advantage of non-destructive detection of samples, can directly analyze the distribution of chemical compounds on the surface of various samples.

METHODS

In this study, TOF-SIMS image analysis technology was used to detect TCM for the first time. Taking Coptis rhizome (CR) as an example, a commonly used TCM, the distribution of the compounds in the cross-section of CR was studied. Meanwhile, ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (UPLCQQQ-MS/MS) was used to verify the results of TOF-SIMS.

RESULTS

The distribution of nine active compounds: berberine, epiberberine, coptisine, palmatine, columbamine, jatrorrhizine, tetrahydricheilanthifolinium, and oxyberberine, was well imaged in the cross-section of CR by TOF-SIMS. The content of berberine and epiberberine was the highest; Palmatine distribution in the pith was more than that in other parts; Oxyberberine was mainly concentrated in the cork and xylem rays. Normalization analysis showed contents of these compounds increased along with the growth years. The result was consistent with UPLC-QQQ-MS/MS.

CONCLUSION

The TOF-SIMS method can display the spatial distribution status of the active compounds of herbs, providing a basis for selecting the medicine site with non-destructive and fast detection.

[Qualitative and quantitative analysis of alkaloids in Eurycoma longifolia by HPLC-Q-TOF-MS combined with UPLC-QQQ-MS/MS]

A sensitive and efficient method was established and validated for qualitative and quantitative analysis of total alkaloids from the extract of Eurycoma longifolia by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry(HPLC-Q-TOF-MS) combined with ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry(UPLC-QQQ-MS/MS). The HPLC-Q-TOF-MS conditions are as follows: Welch Ultimate XB-C_(18) column(4.6 mm×250 mm, 5 μm) with acetonitrile(containing 0.1% formic acid)-0.1% formic acid in water as mobile phase for gradient elution. The UPLC-QQQ-MS/MS conditions are as below: Agilent Eclipse Plus C_(18) column(2.1 mm×50 mm, 1.8 μm) with acetonitrile(containing 0.1% formic acid) and 0.1% formic acid in water as mobile phase for gradient elution. MS data were collected by electrospray ionization in positive ion mode. According to the comparison with reference standards and the accurate masses of molecules, a total of 17 alkaloids in E. longifolia extract were identified by HPLC-Q-TOF-MS. The UPLC-QQQ-MS/MS quantitative analysis result of 3 alkaloids showed that the linear ranges of them were good(r≥0.999 7) and the overall recoveries ranged from 108.8%-110.2%, with RSDs of 2.9%-5.3%. The method is accurate, reliable, and efficient, which can comprehensively reflect the constituents and content of alkaloids in E. longifolia. The result can serve as a reference for further elucidating its therapeutic material basis and quality control.

[Qualitative and quantitative analysis of quassinoid diterpenoids from Eurycoma longifolia by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS combined with UPLC-QQQ-MS/MS]

In this work, a sensitive and efficient method was established and validated for qualitative and quantitative analysis of major quassinoid diterpenoids constituents from the extract of Eurycoma longifolia by ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-TOF-MS) and ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with a triple quadrupole mass spectrometry(UPLC-QQQ-MS/MS). The UPLC-Q-TOF-MS analysis was performed on an Agilent Eclipse Plus C_(18) RRHD(2.1 mm×100 mm,1.8 μm) column with acetonitrile and 0.1% formic acid water as mobile phase by gradient elution. The UPLC-QQQ-MS/MS analysis was performed on an Agilent Eclipse Plus C_(18) RRHD(2.1 mm×50 mm, 1.8 μm)column with acetonitrile and 0.1% formic acid water as mobile phase by gradient elution. The data was collected by electrospray ionization in positive mode. According to the contrast of the reference standards and the accurate masses of molecules, a total of 32 quassinoid diterpenoids in E. longifolia extract were identified by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS. For quantitative the linear range of 4 detected quassinoid diterpenoids were good(r≥0.999 6), and the overall recoveries ranged from 90.35% to 106.4%, with the RSD ranging from 1.8% to 3.6%. The method was accurate, reliable and efficient, and could comprehensively reflect the chemical constituents and content of E. longifolia, and could provide a reference for further elucidating its pharmacological basis and quality control.

Simultaneous Determination of Thirteen Q-Markers in Raw and Processed Tussilago farfara L. by UPLC-QQQ-MS/MS Coupled with Chemometrics

The purpose of this study was to establish a rapid, reliable, and sensitive ultra-performance liquid chromatography with triple-quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry coupled with chemometric method to measure and evaluate the differences between thirteen compounds in raw and processed Tussilago farfara L. from different sources. This assay method was validated, and the results indicated that the calibration curves for the thirteen compounds had good linearity (R² > 0.9990). The limits of detection and limits of quantification of the thirteen compounds ranged from 0.0012 to 0.0095 μg/mL and from 0.0038 to 0.0316 μg/mL, respectively. The relative standard deviations (RSD) of the intra- and inter-day precisions and stability ranged from 1.06 to 2.00%, 0.26 to 1.99%, and 0.75 to 1.97%, respectively. The sample recovery rates of the thirteen compounds with different concentrations were 94.47⁻104.06%. The chemometric results, including principal component analysis, hierarchical clustering analysis, three-dimensional analysis, and box plot analysis, indicated that there are significance differences in raw and processed Tussilago farfara L. The results of this study confirm that the proposed method is the first reported method that has been successfully applied for simultaneous determination and discovery of the difference between thirteen compounds of raw and processed Tussilago farfara L. Thus, this method could be a helpful tool for the detection and confirmation of the quality of traditional Chinese medicines and provide a basis for future pharmacological studies.