Alkaloid profiling of herbal drugs using high resolution mass spectrometry

Abstract

Herbal infusions are consumed worldwide thanks to their "natural" beneficial effects, also due to the presence of alkaloids, although these compounds can have poisonous effects. A method combining online solid-phase purification with high resolution mass spectrometry was used to define the alkaloid profiles of 117 herbs and 7 commercial blends. Forty-one alkaloids were quantified in reference to analytical standards, while the presence of a further 116 was confirmed based on accurate mass, retention time, and fragmentation profile. The targeted study showed that 52% of herbs and 42% of commercial blends contained at least one alkaloid. Pyrrolizidines were the most commonly present (26% of samples), with concentrations generally ranging from the quantification limit to roughly 100 μg kg . Moreover, a homemade infusion was studied, finding on average 45% and 6% lower extraction for pyrrolizidine and steroidal alkaloids, respectively. Nevertheless, the migration of pyrrolizidines was confirmed. The study confirmed the frequent presence, natural or accidental, of alkaloids in commercial infusion herbs, highlighting the urgent need for routine and accurate controls.

Bilberries: Curative and Miraculous – A Review on Bioactive Constituents and Clinical Research

“…Alkaloids myrtine and epimyrtine ( Figure 4 ) were detected in above-ground parts of bilberry plants ( Slosse and Hootelé 1981 ). Another, more recent study confirmed these findings ( Nardin et al, 2017 ).…”

Stable Isotope Ratios of Herbs and Spices Commonly Used as Herbal Infusions in the Italian Market

“…A previous study has already explored the alkaloid content of the same samples. 9 The samples included different plant parts such as leaves, foliage (whole above-ground biomass), stem, bark, flower, stigma, fruits (or berries), seed, and roots. Plant samples were grounded and homogenized with a mechanical shaker (Cryomill, Retsch GmbH, Germany).…”

“…All the plant samples were commercially certified products according to the botanical origin and belonged to 116 plant species and 57 plant families. A previous study has already explored the alkaloid content of the same samples . The samples included different plant parts such as leaves, foliage (whole above-ground biomass), stem, bark, flower, stigma, fruits (or berries), seed, and roots.…”

“…The amount of adulteration ranged from 30% to over 70% of sample weight and two samples had almost no oregano leaves. 8 The substitution or adulteration with one or more other plant materials could adversely affect the consumer’s health because some plant species can accumulate a higher quantity of alkaloids 9 or trace elements 10 than other species. Thus, adulteration of herbs and spices has more than economic repercussions, as it is also a direct threat to public health due to the potentially high content of toxic phytochemicals, synthetic compounds, heavy metals, or allergens.…”

Microfluidic capillary zone electrophoresis mass spectrometry analysis of alkaloids in Lobelia cardinalis transgenic and mutant plant cell cultures

“…The development of a sensitive, high‐throughput analytical screening for plant alkaloids and metabolites is crucial for natural pharmaceutical product discovery and plant metabolomic profiling. MS for the identification of metabolites has traditionally focused on using HPLC‐MS or GC‐MS . While both are viable options, the screenings can be lengthy, involve extensive sample preparation, or may not be suitable for all types of analytes (i.e.…”