Quality evaluation of a herbal prescription through quantification of 40 components by HPLC-ESI-MS/MS.
BACKGROUND
The Kang-nao-shuai (KNS) capsule is a combined herbal prescription used in the treatment of insomnia, amnesia, neurasthenia, age-related dementia and brain injuries. Multiple constituents are considered to be responsible for the therapeutic effects of this herbal prescription. However, the quality control of the multicomponents is limited.


OBJECTIVE
To establish a liquid chromatography-electrospray ionisation-mass spectrometry method for the analysis of 40 constituents in KNS capsules.


METHODS
The optimal chromatographic conditions were achieved on an Agilent C₁₈-column with a gradient elution that consisted of methanol and 0.1% formic acid in water. The precursor and product ions of analytes were monitored on a hybrid quadrupole linear ion trap mass spectrometer in positive and negative mode respectively using multiple-reaction monitoring.


RESULTS
A total of 40 constituents including organic acid, flavonoid, quinone, terpene, alkaloid and saponin were quantified, most of the 40 components were determined for the first time in the KNS capsule. A quantitative HPLC-ESI-MS/MS method allowing the quantification of 40 marker compounds was optimised and validated for linearity, precision, accuracy, stability, specificity and limits of detection and quantification. The method was successfully applied to analyse 10 batches of KNS capsule.


CONCLUSIONS
The established method is simple and can be used as a tool for quality evaluation and control of this natural product.
Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis, School of Pharmacy, Hebei Medical University, 361 East Zhongshan Road, Shijiazhuang 050017, PR China.
Man
M
Liu
Songchen
S
Liu
Xiaowei
X
Shi
Minyan
M
Liu
Yingfeng Du' Lantong
YD
Zhang
Qiao
Q
Wang
D016227:Benzoquinones / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D004355:Drug Stability; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry; D057230:Limit of Detection; D016014:Linear Models; D019684:Magnoliopsida / Q000737:chemistry*; D000432:Methanol / Q000737:chemistry; D015394:Molecular Structure; D028321:Plant Preparations / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry; D011786:Quality Control; D012503:Saponins / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry; D021241:Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D013729:Terpenes / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry; D013997:Time Factors
D016227:Benzoquinones; D015415:Biomarkers; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D005419:Flavonoids; D028321:Plant Preparations; D012503:Saponins; D013729:Terpenes; C004532:quinone; D000432:Methanol