Planta Med 2006; 72(9): 835-841
DOI: 10.1055/s-2006-946637
Original Paper
Analytical Methods
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Detection of Saponins in Extracts from the Rhizomes of Paris Species and Prepared Chinese Medicines by High Performance Liquid Chromatography-Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry

Hai Liu1 , Yun Huang1 , Qiang Wang1 , Ting Zhang2 , Yue Song3
  • 1Key Laboratory of Modern Chinese Medicines, Department of Chinese Materia Medica Analysis, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, P. R. China
  • 2Department of Pharmacognosy, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai, P. R. China
  • 3Department of Chinese Medicine Science & Engineering, College of Pharmaceutical Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, P. R. China
Weitere Informationen

Publikationsverlauf

Received: November 24, 2005

Accepted: April 27, 2006

Publikationsdatum:
19. Juni 2006 (online)

Abstract

A highly sensitive and specific method, based on high performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-MS), was developed for simultaneous detection of eleven steroidal saponins and one phytoecdysone in extracts from the rhizomes of thirteen Paris species and four prepared Chinese medicines (PCMs). The HPLC experiments were performed by means of a reversed-phase C18 column (4.6 mm × 150 mm, 5 μm) and mobile phase system consisting of 0.1 % aqueous formic acid and acetonitrile under gradient elution conditions. The most intensive electrospray ionization signals were found in the negative ion spectra due to HCOO- adducts. The limits of detection (LODs) for the saponins were lower than 40 ng/mL in selected ion monitoring (SIM) mode. The identification of the saponins in the extracts of Paris species and PCMs was confirmed using their retention times and mass spectral comparisons to standard compounds. The validated method was successfully applied for simultaneous detection of twelve standard compounds in the analytes so that it provided a new means for quality evaluation of Rhizoma Paridis and Chinese multiherb remedies that contain Rhizoma Paridis. The results showed that most species of Paris contain steroidal saponins, which provided evidence for expanding the botanical origin of Rhizoma Paridis.

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Qiang Wang

Key Laboratory of Modern Chinese Medicines

Department of Chinese Materia Medica Analysis

China Pharmaceutical University

Nanjing 210009

People’s Republic of China

Telefon: +86-25-8539-1253

eMail: qwang49@sohu.com