Analysis of Chemical Variations between Crude and Salt-Processed Anemarrhenae rhizoma Using Ultra-High-Performance Liquid Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry Methods

Abstract

The present study was designed to systematically investigate the chemical profile differences between crude Anemarrhenae rhizoma (CAR) and salt-processed Anemarrhenae rhizoma (SAR). Ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography–quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC–QTOF-MS), coupled with multivariate statistical analysis was used for the discrimination of chemical profiles and the identification of the differentiation of the chemical constitutions of CAR and SAR. In addition, seven main constituents of CAR and SAR were simultaneously determined by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography–quadrupole mass spectrometry (UHPLC–MS) for analyzing the content variations. A total of 24 components were found to be the main contributors to the significant difference between CAR and SAR. The structures of the marker compounds were identified based on their chromatographic behaviors, intact precursor ions, and characteristic MS fragmentation patterns. The potential structural transformation mechanism of furostanol saponins during salt processing was explored. The results may provide a scientific foundation for deeply elucidating the processing mechanism of Anemarrhenae rhizoma.

A novel ultra high‐performance liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry method for the simultaneous determination of xanthones and steroidal saponins in crude and salt‐processed Anemarrhenae Rhizoma aqueous extracts

“…The main reason for this difference was the increase in timosaponin BIII content and decrease in timosaponin BII content after AR processing. According to our previous study, timosaponin BII can partially change to timosaponin BIII by C22-O bond cleavage during salt processing of AR [29]. The t max , C max, and AUC values of timosaponin AIII increased markedly (P < 0.05) after oral administration of SAR aqueous extracts compared to those after administration of CAR.…”

“…The extraction solutions were concentrated to 100 mL (equivalent to 1.0 g/mL of raw material) to obtain the CAR and SAR aqueous extracts. The five compounds in the extracts were quantitatively determined by a validated HPLC–MS method . The corresponding concentrations of neomangiferin, mangiferin, timosaponin BII, timosaponin BIII, and timosaponin AIII were 3.42, 35.8, 53.5, 12.8, and 12.5 mg/g in the CAR aqueous extract, and 2.80, 33.2, 38.6, 24.2, and 13.4 mg/g in the SAR aqueous extract, respectively.…”

Investigation of pharmacodynamic material basis of Anemarrhenae Rhizoma and its processed products based on plant metabolomics and molecular docking technology

“…In recent studies, the chemical compositions of SAR were found to markedly different from those of its crude materials. But the differential chemical components before and after processing were explained separately from the type or content 8–10 . Previous studies focused on the changes in chemical composition and efficacy of different processed products of AR.…”

“…But the differential chemical components before and after processing were explained separately from the type or content. [8][9][10] Previous studies focused on the changes in chemical composition and efficacy of different processed products of AR. However, it was difficult to find a corresponding relationship between the differential components and effects.…”

Ion mobility mass spectrometry with molecular modelling to reveal bioactive isomer conformations and underlying relationship with isomerization

“…Purification and characterization of these bioactive constituent is thus a quite challenging task . The ESI IM‐MS system is very helpful in this scenario because liquid chromatography (LC) can be directly coupled with this system for separation of complicated herbal medicines and the high sensitivity of MS makes the low concentration component analysis possible . In addition, IM increases the peak capacity, provides structural information and potential isomer separation .…”