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Chemotaxonomic studies of 12 Dioscorea species from China by UHPLC‐QTOF‐MS/MS analysis
Author(s) -
Li Xuejiao,
Wang Ying,
Sun Jiachen,
Li Xia,
Zhao Chengcheng,
Zhao Ping,
Man Shuli,
Gao Wenyuan
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
phytochemical analysis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.574
H-Index - 72
eISSN - 1099-1565
pISSN - 0958-0344
DOI - 10.1002/pca.2876
Subject(s) - dioscorea , chemotaxonomy , chemistry , epimedium , saponin , subspecies , traditional medicine , botany , taxonomy (biology) , biology , medicinal herbs , zoology , medicine , alternative medicine , herb , pathology
Dioscorea species, which contain abundant steroidal saponins, have been used as folk medicines or raw materials to synthesise steroid drugs. Objective To establish a rapid chemotaxonomic method that will comprehensively resolve confusions about genetic relationships of genus Dioscorea . Methods A comprehensive strategy using ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time‐of‐flight tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC‐QTOF‐MS/MS) was firstly proposed to evaluate the chemotaxonomy of 12 species (27 taxa) from China by hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) based on the variations of the identified metabolites. Results Twenty‐eight secondary metabolites (mainly steroidal saponins) were identified. The MS n fragmentation patterns of DA (a new acetylated steroidal saponin at C‐7 position) were firstly reported. Moreover, eight major steroidal saponins were further quantified simultaneously by UPLC‐QTOF‐MS method. According to HCA results, D. bulbifera L. was distinguished with species of sect. Stenophora Uline for pennogenin‐type steroidal saponins. Dioscorea zingiberensis exhibited far distance from other members of sect. Stenophora Uline for two unique saponins. Dioscorea banzhuana may be reclassified into sect. Stenophora . Dioscorea nipponica subsp. rosthornii and D. collettii var. hypoglauca might be separated from their original subspecies/varieties as new species, respectively. Conclusion The chemotaxonomic method was successfully applied in the study of genetic relationships of Dioscorea species. This study not only enhanced the understanding of chemical constituents, but also laid basic theoretical foundations for the rational utilisation and chemotaxonomy of genus Dioscorea .