Applications of HPLC/MS in the analysis of traditional Chinese medicines

In China, traditional Chinese medicines （TCMs） have been used in clinical applications for thousands of years. The successful hyphenation of high-performance liquid chromatography （HPLC） and mass spectrometry （MS） has been applied widely in TCMs and biolo     

Analysis and determination of diterpenoids in unprocessed and processed Euphorbia lathyris seeds by HPLC-ESI-MS

Euphorbia lathyris （Caper spurge） is a toxic and potent Chinese materia medica （T/PCMM）. This study sought a method for identifying five diterpenoids （Euphorbia factors LI-L3, L7a, and Ls） with the spectra of UV and mass, quantifying three diterpenoids L1, L2, and L8 in crude extracts of unprocessed and processed E. lathyris seeds by liquid chromatography/ electrospray ionization mass spectrometry （LC-ESI-MS）. The analysis was achieved on an Agilent Eclipse XDB-C18 column （4.6 mm× 150mm i.d., 5 μm） with an isocratic elution with a mobile phase consisting of water and acetonitrile at a flow rate of 0.25 mL/min at column temperature of 30 ℃ and UV detection was set at 272 nm. An ESI source was used with a positive ionization mode. The calibration curve was linear in the ranges of 9.9-79 μg/mL for Euphorbia factor Lb 3.8-30.5μg/mL for Euphorbia factor L2, and 1.0-20.6 μg/mL for Euphorbia factor LB. The average recoveries （n=6） of three diterpenoids were 98.39%, 91.10% and 96.94%, respectively, with RSD of 2.5%, 2.4% and 2.1%, respectively. The contents of the three diterpenoids in processed E. lathyris seeds were 3.435, 1.367 and 0.286 mg/g, respectively, which decreased more sharply than those in unprocessed E. lathyris seeds which were 4.915, 1.944 and 0.425 mg/g, respectively. The method is simple, accurate, reliable and reproducible, and it can be applied to control the quality of unprocessed and processed E. lathyris seeds.     

Quantitative analysis of a novel antimicrobial peptide in rat plasma by ultra performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

We described the first results of a quantitative ultra performance liquid chromatographytandem mass spectrometry method for a novel antimicrobial peptide （phylloseptin, PSN-1）. Chromatographic separation was accomplished on a Waters bridged ethyl hybrid （BEH） C18 （50mm× 2.1 mm, 1.7 μm） column with acetonitrile-water （25：75, v/v） as isocratic mobile phase. Mass spectrometry detection was performed in the positive electrospray ionization mode and by monitoring of the transitions at m/z 679.6/120, 509.6/120 （PSN-1） and m/z 340.7/165 （Thymopentin, IS）. Protein precipitation was investigated and the recovery was satisfactory （above 82%）. The method was shown to be reproducible and reliable with intra-day precision below 5.3%, inter-day precision below 14.2%, and linear range from 0.02 to 2 lag/mL with r〉0.994. The method was successfully applied to a pharmacokinetic study of PSN-1 in rats after intravenous administration.     

Determination of wholesome elements and heavy metals in safflower （Carthamus tinctorius I.. ） from Xinjiang and Henan by

An inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry （ICP-MS） or inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry （ICP-AES） was developed to determine 19 elements in safflower, a traditional Chinese medicinal herb from Xinjiang Autonomous Region and Hen     

Rapid analysis of components in Rhizoma Anemarrhenae by HPLC-DAD-MS and HPLC-DAD-TOFMS

A global quality control method based on high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled with diode array detection (DAD), single quadrupole mass spectrometry (MS) and time-of-flight mass spectrometry (TOFMS) was developed for simultaneous determination of seven major components (mangiferin, neomangiferin, timosaponin E1, timosaponin E, timosaponin BⅡ, timosaponin BⅢ, and timosaponin AⅢ) and identification of most components in extracts of Rhizoma Anemarrhenae (RA). HPLC analysis was performed on an Agilent SB-C18 column (4.6 mm×150 mm, 5 μm) by gradient elution using acetonitrile and water-acetic acid(100∶0.05, v/v) as the mobile phase. Seven major components in RA were successfully separated. This quantitative method was fully validated in respect of the following performance criteria: linearity, precision, repeatability, stability, accuracy, limits of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ). A formula database of known compounds in RA was established, against which, most of the reported components in this herbal extract were identified effectively based on the extract masses acquired by TOFMS. This qualitative and quantitative method was successfully used to analyze the components in 10 batches of RA samples collected from different regions in China. This global quality control method, which consisted of HPLC-DAD-MS assay of seven major components and unambiguous identification of nineteen components, is suitable for routine quantification and comprehensive quality control of RA.     

Development of the fingerprints for the quality evaluation of Viscum coloratum by high performance liquid chromatograp

A high-performance liquid chromatography coupled ultraviolet （HPLC-UV） method was developed for a chemical fingerprint analysis of Viscum coloratura. Eighteen peaks were selected as the common peaks and Homoeriodictyol-7-O-β-D-apiosiyl-（1→2）-β-D-glucoside     

Quantification of six bioactive compounds in Zhenqi Fuzheng preparation by high-performance liquid chromatography couple

A simple and accurate high-performance liquid chromatography（HPLC）coupled with diode array detector（DAD）and evaporative light scattering detector（ELSD）was established for the determination of six bioactive compounds in Zhenqi Fuzheng preparation（ZFP）.The     

Analysis of ganciclovir and its related substances using high performance liquid chromatography and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry methods

Objective High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC/MS) methods were developed for the determination of ganciclovir and its related substances. Methods A Hypersil ODS2 column (4.6mm×250mm, 5μm) was used with a mobile phase of 0.02M potassium 1.0mL/min, and UV detector set at 254nm was used for monitoring the eluents. Results The method was simple, rapid, selective and capable of separating all related substances at trace level with a detection limit of 0.04μg/mL. It has been validated with respect to accuracy, precision, linearity, and limits of detection and quantification. The linearity range was 10.2-153.0μg/mL with r=0.9998. The percentage recoveries ranged from 96.7% to 101.6%, and RSD was 1.24%-1.96% (n=5). Conclusion The method was found to be suitable not only for monitoring the reactions during the process development but also for quality control of ganciclovir. For identification of related substances, LC/MS was used. The mainly related substances of ganciclovir active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) were determined as guanine, (1, 3-dioxolan-4-yl) methyl acetate, and diacetyl guanine.     

A rapid method for the determination of dopamine in porcine muscle by pre-column derivatization and HPLC with fluorescence detection

A rapid method has been developed based on the sample preparation procedure named as QuEChERS （Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged and Safe）, combined with reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detector and C18 column after precolumn derivatization using o-phthalaldehyde and 2-mercaptoethanol to determine dopamine in porcine muscle. Methanol and deionized water （0.1% acetic acid, v/v） with a ratio of 60：40 was used as mobile phase. The flow rate was 0.8 mL/min and dopamine was eluted within 15 min. The linearity range was 0.003-8 μg/mL with r=0.9992. The detection limit for dopamine was 4 μg/kg and the quantification limit was 9 μg/kg. Recovery studies were carried out at 0.1, 0.5 and 1.0 mg/kg fortification levels and the average recoveries obtained ranged from 90.4% to 98.2% with relative standard deviations between 3.5% and 8.1%. The method was found to be suitable for detection of dopamine in animal product tissues at the maximum residue level.     

Comparative analysis of essential oils found in Rhizomes Curcumae and Radix Curcumae by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

A comparison of the volatile compounds in Rhizomes Curcumae （Ezhu） and Radix Curcumae （Yujin） was undertaken using gas chromatography mass spectrometi-y （GC-MS）. Ultrasonic extraction and GC-MS methods were developed for the simultaneous determination of five sesquiterpenes, namely, α-pinene, β-elemene, curcumol, germacrone and curdione, in Ezhu and Yunjin. Good linearity （r〉0.999） and high inter-day precision were observed over the investigated concentration ranges. The validated method was successfully used for the simultaneous determination of five sesquiterpenes in Ezhu and Yujin. The quantitative method can be effectively used to evaluate and monitor the quality of Chinese curcuma in clinical use.     

应用液体芯片-飞行时间质谱技术筛选血清中肺癌标志蛋白

目的 应用液体芯片-飞行时间质谱系统分析肺癌与对照组血清差异表达蛋白,筛选肺癌标志蛋白.方法 将105例肺癌患者和90例对照者[44名正常人,46例良性肺疾病(BLDs)]的血清随机分成训练组(肺癌和对照各60例)和验证组[肺癌45例(早期13例,晚期32例),对照30例(正常及BLDs各15例)].应用ClinPro...     

Simultaneous determination of 12, 13-dihydroxyeuparin and glycyrrhizic acid in Yanyanfang mixture by high performance liquid chromatography

A reversed phase high performance liquid chromatography （HPLC） method was established for the simultaneous determination of 12, 13-dihydroxyeuparin and glycyrrhizic acid in Yanyanfang mixture. A Grace Apollo Cl8 column （250 mm × 4.6 mm, 5 μm） was used as the stationary phase and the mobile phase was composed of acetonitrile and aqueous phosphoric acid （0.2%, v/v）. Gradient elution was carried out at the flow rate of 1.0 mL/min and the column temperature was 30 ℃. An ultraviolet （UV） detector was used with a selected wavelength of 240 nm. Calibration curves were linear within the concentration range of 4.6-45.75 μg/mL for 12, 13-dihydroxyeuparin （r〉0.9999） and 106.9-1068.9μg/mL for glycyrrhizic acid （r〉0.9999）, respectively. Recoveries were 102.18% for 12, 13-dihydroxyeuparin and 101.17% for glycyrrhizic acid. The method developed could be applied to the simultaneous determination of 12, 13- dihydroxyeuparin and glycyrrhizic acid in Yanyanfang mixture.     

LC-ESI-MS/MS, a modified method for simultaneous quantification of isoflavonoids, flavonoids, alkaloids and saponins in a Chinese herbal preparation Gegen-Qinlian decoction

A sensitive and reliable liquid chromatography-electrospray ionisation-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS) method was established to simultaneously quantitate four categories of compounds (isoflavonoids, flavonoids, alkaloids and saponins) in Gegen-Qinlian decoction (GQD). These compounds were separated by a Shiseido CAPCELL PAK C18 column with a linear gradient consisting of 0.1% (v/v) formic acid in water (A) and 0.1% (v/v) formic acid in acetonitrile (B), and delivered at a flow rate of 0.3 mL/min. All the analytes were determined by electrospray positive ionization tandem mass spectrometry in a multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode. Linearity, accuracy, precision, recovery and stability of the method were evaluated with the validation over the range of 4.0-538 5 ng/mL. The proposed method was applied to the analysis of a Chinese herbal preparation GQD successfully.     

Determination of phthalate esters in physiological saline solution by monolithic silica spin column extraction method

Monolithic silica spin column extraction （MonoSpin-SPE） was developed as a simple, sensitive, and eco-friendly pretreatment method which combined with ultra-fast liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry （UFLC-MS） to determine the levels of six phthalate es     

Evaluation preparation technology of Xiaochaihu granules using fingerprint-peak pattern matching

An approach was proposed to evaluate preparation technology by means of fingerprint-peak matching technology of high performance liquid chromatography with diode array detector （HPLC-DAD）. Similarity and hierarchical clustering analysis （HCA） were applied     

慢性阻塞性肺疾病患者的血清差异表达蛋白分析

目的应用液体芯片-飞行时间质谱技术从慢性阻塞性肺疾病(COPD)患者的血清中找出差异表达蛋白,筛选出其蛋白多肽(m/z)的疾病标志物。方法应用液体蛋白芯片(MB-WCX)结合飞行时间质谱(MALDI-TOF-MS)技术对16例病理确诊的COPD患者和32例正常对照人群进行血清蛋白组分析。采用ClinProTools软件进行蛋白多肽的组间差异对比,共获得115个蛋白多肽峰图,其中24个蛋白多肽峰图具有极显著差异(P<0.001),其中10个蛋白多肽在COPD患者中表达下调,其余14个蛋白多肽在COPD患者中表达上调。两组数据中最大差异的两个蛋白多肽峰分别是m/z:1 012.92和m/z:4 152.85。结论利用液体芯片-飞行时间质谱技术可以从COPD患者的血清中获得稳定丰富的蛋白多肽图谱,并且能够筛选出潜在的疾病标志物。     

高效液相色谱法测定水溶液中芘的实验研究

建立表面活性剂与有机物共存体系中芘测定的高效液相色谱法.采用C18反向色谱柱(2.1mm×100mm,5μm),通过调节和控制流动相、柱温、流速等因素,得到芘的优化测试条件.结果表明:流动相选用乙腈-水(80:20,V/V),流速0.20mL·min-1,柱温25℃是最优测试条件.同时,对TX-100存在与不存在情况下芘的测试结果进行比较分析,使用OriginPro 8.6对实验数据进行线性拟合,并进行统计学t检验,结果表明:X-100存在与否对水溶液中芘的测定没有显著影响.     

Rapid determination of volatile constituents in safflower from Xinjiang and Henan by ultrasonic-assisted solvent extraction and GC-MS

The total volatile components were extracted from safflower by ultrasonic-assisted solvent extraction （USE） and their chemical constituents were analyzed by gas chromatographymass spectrometry （GC-MS） to provide scientific basis for the quality control of safflower. Five different solvents （diethyl ether, ethanol, ethyl acetate, dichloromethane and acetone） were used and compared in terms of number of volatile components extracted and the peak areas of these components in TIC. The results showed that USE could be used as an efficient and rapid method for extracting the volatile components from safflower. It also could be found that the number of components in the TIC of ethyl acetate extract was more than that in the TIC of other solvent ones. Meanwhile, the volatile components of safflower from Xinjiang Autonomous Region and Henan Province of China were different in chemical components and relative contents. It could be concluded that both the extraction solvents and geographical origin of safflower are responsible for these differences. The experimental results also indicated that USE/GC-MS is a simple, rapid and effective method to analyze the volatile oil components of safflower.     

LC-MS determination and pharmacokinetic study of salidroside in rat plasma after oral administration of suspensions of t

A simple,rapid and sensitive liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry（LC-MS）method was developed for the determination of salidroside in rat plasma and study of its pharmacokinetics after oral administration of suspension of Erzhi Wan and Fructus Ligustri     

Analysis of chiral non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs flurbiprofen, ketoprofen and etodolac binding with HSA

The protein binding of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs flurbiprofen, ketoprofen and etodolac with human serum albumin （HSA） was investigated using indirect chiral high performance liquid chromatography （HPLC） and ultrafiltration techniques. S-（-）-1-（1-naphthyl）- ethylamine （S-NEA） was utilized as chiral derivatization reagent and pre-column derivatization RP-HPLC method was established for the separation and assay of the three pairs of enantiomer. The method had good linear relationship over the investigated concentration range without interference. The average extraction efficiency was higher than 85% in different systems, and the intra-day and inter-day precisions were less than 15%. In serum albumin, the protein binding of etodolac enantiomers showed significant stereoselectivity that the affinity of S-enantiomer was stronger than R-enantiomer, and the stereoselectivity ratio reached 6.06; Flurbiprofen had only weak stereoselectivity in HSA, and ketoprofen had no stereoselectivity at all. Scatchard curves showed that all the three chiral drugs had two types of binding sites in HSA.