title: Simultaneous Detection of Flavonoids, Phenolic Acids and Alkaloids in Abri Herba and Abri Mollis Herba using Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Abri Herba has remarkable properties, such as cleanup heat detoxification, dampness and activating blood circulation to dissipate blood stasis; as a result, it has been applied to treat acute or chronic hepatitis and mastitis. Abri mollis Herba is often used as Abri Herba. Hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) was applied to compare the similarities and differences of the chemical compositions in the two types of medicinal materials.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To establish a high-performance liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) method for the simultaneous analysis of 15 flavonoids, two phenolic acids and three alkaloids in Abri Herba and Abri mollis Herba.
  
  
  METHODS
  The chromatographic separation was performed on a C18 column with a mobile phase of methanol (A), acetonitrile (B) and 0.5‰ acetic acid in water (C) using gradient elution. The detection of the target compounds was performed in multiple-reaction monitoring (MRM) mode using a hybrid quadrupole linear ion trap mass spectrometer equipped with positive/negative ion-switching electrospray ionisation (ESI) source.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The developed method is reliable, sensitive and specific. In addition, the method has been successfully applied to differentiate 15 batches of Abri Herba and 27 batches of Abri mollis Herba stems. Furthermore, a comparison of the contents among stems, roots and leaves from the same strain in seven batches of Abri mollis Herba and four batches of Abri Herba has also been performed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  HPLC-MS/MS method is sensitive and selective and can be suitable for the reliable quality control of Abri mollis Herba and Abri Herba.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis, School of Pharmacy, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, 050017, P. R. China.
authors.forename: Wenying
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Yan
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis, School of Pharmacy, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, 050017, P. R. China.
authors.forename: Qingjie
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Han
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis, School of Pharmacy, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, 050017, P. R. China.
authors.forename: Panpan
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Guo
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis, School of Pharmacy, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, 050017, P. R. China.
authors.forename: Chunying
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of Stomatology, Hebei Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang, 050011, P. R. China.
authors.forename: Zijian
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Zhang
mesh_terms: D029912:Abrus / Q000737:chemistry*; D000470:Alkaloids / Q000032:analysis*; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid / Q000379:methods*; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000737:chemistry; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry; D062385:Hydroxybenzoates / Q000032:analysis; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D053719:Tandem Mass Spectrometry / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D000470:Alkaloids; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D005419:Flavonoids; D062385:Hydroxybenzoates; C017616:phenolic acid
keywords: Abri Herba; Abri mollis Herba; HCA; HPLC-MS/MS; simultaneous determination