UPLC-PDA fingerprint of Xianling Gubao Capsules / 中国药学杂志

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To establish the ultra performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) fingerprint of Xianling Gubao Capsules (XLGB), and evaluate the product quality by chemometrics analysis method. METHODS: The method was developed on an ACQUITY UPLC BEH Shield RP18 column (2.1 mm×50 mm, 1.7μm) by gradient elution with acetonitrile-water [both containing 0.1% formic acid] as mobile phase at a flow rate of 0.5 mL· min-1. The column temperature was maintained at 30℃, and the detection wavelength was set at 246 nm during 0-4.6 min and 270 nm during 4.6-18 min. The main characteristic peaks were identified and assigned to individual herbs by comparing the retention time and UV absorption characteristics, combined with peak purity analysis. Furthermore, 16 batches of XLGB were evaluated by similarity assay, PCA, and PLS-DA. RESULTS: The UPLC fingerprint of XLGB was established and 27 main characteristic peaks were identified. The similarity of 16 batches of XLGB was about 0.959 to 0.988, and epimedin C, bakuchiol, psoralenoside, and isopsoralenoside from Epimedium breviornu Maxim and Psoralea corylifolia L were the main compounds causing the similarity difference. CONCLUSION: The method can be used for the quality control of XLGB with good specificity and efficiency, and this work provides the experimental basis to improve the overall quality control of XLGB.