ABSTRACT
In this study,a method using ultra performance liquid chromatography tandem quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry( UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS) was established to identify complicated chemical constituents of Wikstroemia indica. Chromatographic separation was performed on an AcclaimTMRSLC 120-C18 column( 2. 1 mm×100 mm,2. 2 μm) using gradient elution with 0. 2% ammonium formate buffer salt solution( A)-0. 2% ammonium formate buffer salt solution methanol( B) as mobile phase. The column temperature was maintained at 30 ℃. The analytes were determined by positive and negative ion modes with electro-spray ionization source. A total of 52 compounds( including eleven coumarins,thirteen flavonoids,ten lignans,two amides,four phenolic acids,six sesquiterpenes and six other compounds) were identified or tentatively characterized from the water extract of W. indica by comparing their retention times and MS spectra with those of authentic standards or literature datas. Three compounds were found for the first time from W.indica namely isomer of indicanone,β-hydroxypropiovanillone and epiprocurcumenol. Furthermore,the fragmentation rules of some compounds were speculated and summarized. In addition,the cleavage pathways of guaiane sesquiterpenes were described for the first time,which can provide reference for studying the fragmentation pathways of similar compounds. This study provides an easy way to identify chemical constituents of traditional Chinese medicine and a basis for the further study on chemical fundamentals of W. indica.