Rapid Detection and Characterisation of Triterpene Saponins from the Root of Pulsatilla chinensis (Bunge) Regel by HPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS.
BACKGROUND
Triterpene saponins are the major bioactive components in the root of Pulsatilla chinensis (Bunge) Regel (RPC), and have been reported to possess antitumor and immunological adjuvant activities. However, the isolation, purification and elucidation procedures of triterpene saponins from RPC are difficult and time consuming due to high polarity and structural similarity.


OBJECTIVE
To develop an analytical strategy for discovering and elucidating triterpene saponins in RPC.


METHODS
Methanolic extract of RPC is analysed by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to electrospray ionisation and quadrupole time-of-flight-mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS). The MS and MS/MS experiments are conducted using the negative-ionisation mode, in order to provide molecular-mass information and production spectra for the structural elucidation of compounds.


RESULTS
Based on retention times, accurate mass and mass spectrometric fragmentation, 24 triterpene saponins are identified or tentatively elucidated from RPC, of which nine triterpene saponins were not reported previously.


CONCLUSIONS
The HPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS could be employed as a rapid, effective technique to screen and identify triterpene saponins in RPC without tedious and time-consuming isolation of pure constituents. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Department of Pharmaceutical and Life Sciences, Jiujiang University, Jiujiang, 332005, People's Republic of China.
Yun
Y
Ling
Department of Pharmaceutical and Life Sciences, Jiujiang University, Jiujiang, 332005, People's Republic of China.
Zhanqing
Z
Lin
Department of Pharmaceutical and Life Sciences, Jiujiang University, Jiujiang, 332005, People's Republic of China.
Wenjuan
W
Zha
Department of Pharmaceutical and Life Sciences, Jiujiang University, Jiujiang, 332005, People's Republic of China.
Tou
T
Lian
Shanshan
S
You
D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid / Q000379:methods*; D000432:Methanol; D015394:Molecular Structure; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000737:chemistry; D031946:Pulsatilla / Q000737:chemistry*; D012503:Saponins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D021241:Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization / Q000379:methods*; D053719:Tandem Mass Spectrometry / Q000379:methods*; D013997:Time Factors; D014315:Triterpenes / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000302:isolation & purification
D010936:Plant Extracts; D012503:Saponins; D014315:Triterpenes; D000432:Methanol
HPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS; Pulsatilla chinensis (Bunge) Regel; triterpene saponins