Rapid characterization of chemical constituents of Platycodon grandiflorum and its adulterant Adenophora stricta by UPLC‐QTOF‐MS/MS

Abstract

Platycodon grandiflorum (PG) is extensively used for treating cough, excessive phlegm, sore throat, bronchitis and asthma, whereas Adenophora stricta (AS) is commonly used to reduce phlegm, clear lung and tonify stomach. Due to similar appearances, PG is sometimes adulterated with cheap AS so as to gain profits. And this will inevitably result in different pharmacological property. In order to further clarify the differences in the chemical composition of these two Chinese herbs, the ultra-high performance liquid chromatography combined with quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry coupled with UNIFI platform was used to establish a reliable, simple, sensitive and rapid analytical method. Seventy-five compounds, including triterpenoid saponins, organic acids, flavonoids, steroids, phenols, etc., were identified from PG based on MS data and retention time under the optimized conditions. Meanwhile, 57 compounds including triterpenoid saponins, organic acids, steroids, phenols, alkaloids, etc. were identified from AS. Among all the identified compounds, there were only 14 common components (mainly organic acids) existing in two herbs, and most of the other chemical compositions are totally different between the two herbs. Based on the results, AS cannot substitute for PG. In addition, PG adulterated with AS will lead a poor efficacy in clinical application. In addition, the systematic comparison of similarities and differences between two Chinese herbs will provide reliable characterization profiles to clarify the pharmacological fundamental substances.

Chemical fingerprint and bioactivity evaluation of Globularia orientalis L. and Globularia trichosantha Fisch. & C. A. Mey. using non‐targeted HPLC‐ESI‐QTOF‐MS approach

“…G. alypum L., it is the first time that shanzhiside methyl ester (peak 15) is described in Plantaginaceae family. However, this iridoid derivative, as well as its fragmentation pattern, has been previously described in the plant kingdom …”

“…Finally, the last new compound found in G. orientalis and G. trichosantha corresponded to gingerol (peak 107). Its MS/MS spectra showed fragments at m / z 177 and 141 which are related to [M – H – H 2 O – C 6 H 14 O] − and [M – H – C 9 H 13 O 2 ] − , respectively …”

“…However, this iridoid derivative, as well as its fragmentation pattern, has been previously described in the plant kingdom. 30 Peaks 17 (m/z 377) and 24 (m/z 447) were tentatively described as lamiol ( Figure 1D) and aralidioside ( Figure 1E orientalis and G. trichosantha, and they were identified according to their MS data and information reported in the literature. 9,11 While the other two catalpol derivatives, i.e.…”

Platycodon grandiflorum Saponins Ameliorate Cisplatin-Induced Acute Nephrotoxicity through the NF-κB-Mediated Inflammation and PI3K/Akt/Apoptosis Signaling Pathways

“…Accumulating evidence has shown that the active compounds from medicinal herbs exert protective effects against nephrotoxicity induced by cisplatin [ 15 ]. The root of Platycodon grandiflorum , a common medicinal and edible plant, contains many active ingredients, such as steroidal saponins, flavonoids, phenolic acids, and sterols, in which the saponins are regarded as the major active compounds [ 16 ]. The root of P. grandiflorum (PG) is widely used in traditional Chinese medicine, which exert hepatoprotective and insulin-sensitizing effects [ 17 ].…”

Comprehensive metabolomics analysis based on UPLC-Q/TOF-MSEand the anti-COPD effect of different parts ofCelastrus orbiculatusThunb.

“…As part of these research works, we reported this method to detect some natural products including Platycodon grandiorum and Ginseng root. 21,22 Our research results showed that this method is high throughput, comprehensive, simple and efficient. As far as we know, the UPLC-Q/TOF-MS method has not been reported to identify the components in COT.…”