Simultaneous determination of saikosaponin a, b1, b2 and c in radix Bupleuri formula granules by HPLC-MS/MS / 中国药学杂志

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To establish a method for determining the contents of saikosaponin a, b1, b2 and c in Radix Bupleuri formula granules by HPLC-MS/MS, and provide scientific basis for the quality standards. METHODS: The samples were separated on a Kinetex C18 column (2.1 mm×100 mm, 2.6 μm) by gradient elution at the flow rate of 300 μL·min-1 using acetonitrile and 0.1% aqueous formic acid as the mobile phase. The column temperature was maitained at 40℃. Multiple reaction monitoring scanning (MRM) was employed for the quantification with switching electrospray ion source polarity in negative mode. The ion spray voltage was set at -4 500 V and the turbo spray temperature was maintained at 550℃. RESULTS: There was significant correlation between the peak area and concentration of each compound within the test range (r≥0.999 1). The average recoveries were from 97.44% to 100.56%. CONCLUSION: Saikosaponin a, b1, b2 and c are determined by this method simultaneously. The method is available with good reproducibility and can control the quality of Radix Bupleuri formula granules effectively.