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Method for rapidly discovering active components in Yupingfeng granules by UPLC‐ESI‐Q‐TOF‐MS
Author(s) -
Li Moying,
Yue Xinyi,
Gao Yongjian,
Zhang Bei,
Yuan Chunping,
Wu Tong
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
journal of mass spectrometry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.475
H-Index - 121
eISSN - 1096-9888
pISSN - 1076-5174
DOI - 10.1002/jms.4627
Subject(s) - chemistry , radix (gastropod) , saponin , electrospray ionization , chromatography , quadrupole time of flight , high performance liquid chromatography , mass spectrometry , chemical constituents , tandem mass spectrometry , flavonoid , extraction (chemistry) , traditional medicine , biochemistry , antioxidant , medicine , botany , alternative medicine , pathology , biology
Yupingfeng granules (YPFG) were isolated from a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formulation composed of three herbs ( Astragali Radix, Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma, and Saposhnikoviae Radix). This formulation is used in TCM to tonify qi , and it can help strengthen exterior and reduce sweating. Nevertheless, the active components of YPFG remain unclear. In this study, the chemical constituents of YPFG were systematically characterized by ultra‐performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization/ quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (UPLC‐ESI‐Q‐TOF‐MS). Fifty‐eight compounds, namely, 20 flavonoids, 19 saponins, nine organic acids, four volatile coumarins, three lactones, one alkaloid, and two other components, were identified. In addition, the constituents of YPFG with the potential for in vivo bioactivities following oral administration were investigated in Sprague–Dawley rats. Thirteen compounds, namely, 11 flavonoid‐related and 2 saponin‐related components, were detected in rat plasma. After enriching flavonoids and saponins in YPFG by extraction, the extracts and YPFG were administrated to immunosuppressed rats, respectively. Plasma samples were analyzed by UPLC‐ESI‐Q‐TOF‐MS, and principal component analysis (PCA) confirmed that the extracts had similar effects to YPFG. This method could discover active ingredients in YPFG quickly and provide a scientific basis for quality control and mechanism research.