ABSTRACT
Objective::To screen out active fraction from Euphorbia fischeriana, separate active components from E. fischeriana and explore structure-activity relationships, in order to analyze and identify chemical compositions of petroleum ether fraction from E. fischerian ethanol extract by ultra-performance liquid chromatography with quadrupole-time-of flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF-MS). Method::The anti-tumor activities of petroleum ether, ethyl acetate, n-butanol and water extracts from E. fischeriana were tested by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium(MTT)method. A variety of modern chromatographic separation methods were used to separate active compounds from petroleum ether layer. Compounds were isolated. Their structures were identified by NMR technique. The structure-activity relationships between anti-tumor activities and structures of compounds were investigated. UPLC-Q-TOF-MS technique was used to identify the structures of petroleum ether extract from E. fischeriana. Mass spectrometry was performed in the positive ion mode using ESI ion sources. Result::Six compounds were isolated from petroleum ether fraction. They were jolkinolide A, jolkinolide B, 17-hydroxyjolkinolide A, 17-hydroxyjolkinolide B, euphopilolide and atis-16-en-13(s)-hydroxy-3, 14-dione. A total of 23 peaks were identified based on the comparison of retention times, accurate masses and fragmentation patterns with available standard compounds and literatures. Among them, there were 19 diterpenoids, 2 polyphenols, 1 fatty acid and 1 triterpenoid. Peaks No.18 and No.21 were tentatively identified as new compounds. Conclusion::The petroleum ether fraction showed a potential anti-tumor activity. The structure-activity relationships were discussed. UPLC-Q-TOF-MS technology can be used to quickly and accurately identify the structures, so as to provide a reference for its quality evaluation and active ingredient research.