Analysis of sesquiterpene lactones in Eupatorium lindleyanum by HPLC-PDA-ESI-MS/MS.
BACKGROUND
The aerial part Eupatorium lindleyanum is commonly used as an antipyretic and detoxicant clinically in traditional Chinese medicine. Our previous research showed that germacrane sesquiterpene lactones were its main active constituents, so the development of rapid and accurate methods for the identification of the sesquiterpene lactones is of great significance.


OBJECTIVE
To develop an HPLC-PDA-ESI-MS/MS method capable for simple and rapid analysis of germacrane sesquiterpene lactones in the aerial part E. lindleyanum.


METHODS
High-performance liquid chromatography-photodiode array detection-electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry was used to analyze germacrane sesquiterpene lactones of Eupatorium lindleyanum. The fragmentation behavior of germacrane sesquiterpene lactones in a Micromass Q/TOF Mass Spectrometer was discussed, and 9 germacrane sesquiterpene lactones were identified by comparison of their characteristic data of HPLC and MS analyses with those obtained from reference compounds.


RESULTS
The investigated germacrane sesquiterpene lactones were identified as eupalinolides C (1), 3beta-acetoxy-8beta-(4'-hydroxy-tigloyloxy)-14-hydroxy-costunolide (2), eupalinolides A (3), eupalinolides B (4), eupalinolides E (5), 3beta-acetoxy-8beta-(4'-oxo-tigloyloxy)-14-hydroxy-heliangolide (6), 3beta-acetoxy-8beta-(4'-oxo- tigloyloxy)-14-hydroxy-costunolide (7), hiyodorilactone B (8), and 3beta-acetoxy-8beta-(4'-hydroxy-tigloyloxy)- costunolide (9). Compounds 6, 7 and 9 were reported for the first time.


CONCLUSIONS
HPLC-PDA-ESI-MS/MS provides a new powerful approach to identify germacrane sesquiterpene lactones in E. lindleyanum rapidly and accurately.
Yang
Nian Yun
NY
Jiangsu key Laboratory for TCM Formulae Research, College of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 210046 Nanjing, China.
Duan
Jin Ao
JA
Shang
Er Xin
EX
Tian
Li Juan
LJ
D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid / Q000379:methods; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000032:analysis*; D036602:Eupatorium / Q000737:chemistry*; D007783:Lactones / Q000032:analysis*; D035261:Plant Components, Aerial / Q000737:chemistry; D045788:Sesquiterpenes, Germacrane / Q000032:analysis*; D021241:Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D053719:Tandem Mass Spectrometry / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods
D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D007783:Lactones; D045788:Sesquiterpenes, Germacrane