ABSTRACT
Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has made numerous contributions to the prosperity of China. However, the phytochemicals of TCM are complex, and there are significant differences in relative content. The material basis of TCM has restricted the modernization of TCM. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) combines the high separation performance of chromatography and the high sensitivity of mass spectrometry. It has been widely used in the analysis of natural medicines and can greatly promote the development of TCM. Many studies have focused on the comprehensive characterization of phytochemicals, building a strategy for the rapid, accurate and systematic analysis of the chemical components of TCM through the integration of different mass spectrometric techniques, and laying the foundation for quality control and rational utilization of TCM.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To qualitatively analyze the chemical constituents of Folium hibisci Mutabilis by high performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-quadrupole-time of flight-mass spectrometry (UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS). METHODS: The separation was performed on a UHPLC Welch C18 column (2.1 mm×100 mm, 1.7 μm), with acetonitrile-0.1% formic acid as the mobile phase for gradient elution; ESI ion source was used; the data was collected in a negative ion mode. The chemical components of Folium hibisci Mutabilis were identified by analyzing the retention time, exact relative molecular mass, and cleavage fragments of MS/MS. RESULTS: A total of 73 compounds were identified in Folium hibisci Mutabilis, including 42 flavonoids, 15 triterpenoids, 11 organic acids, 3 coumarins, and 2 other kinds of compounds by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS. CONCLUSION: LC-MS/MS can identify the chemical components of Folium hibisci Mutabilis in a simple, which would provide a foundation for further exploration of the effective substances of Folium hibisci Mutabilis.