Quantification of eight components in Paeonia lactiflora and Glycyrrhiza decoction using UHPLC-MS/MS

doi:10.5246/jcps.2024.09.062

Abstract

Abstract:

This study aimed to utilize ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) to analyze and quantify eight therapeutic components in Paeonia lactiflora and Glycyrrhiza decoction. The goal was to establish an accurate, efficient, and applicable method for determining the composition of this formula, providing a reference for its clinical application. Methanol was employed to extract the therapeutic components from Paeonia lactiflora and Glycyrrhiza decoction, forming the test sample solution. UHPLC-MS/MS technology was applied to separate and analyze the test samples. The results indicated that upon analysis, the eight reference standards exhibited excellent linear relationships, and the test samples remained stable within 24 h. The content of paeoniflorin, paeonolide, glycyrrhizic acid A, quercetin, chebulic acid, liquiritin, naringenin, and glycyrrhetic acid was determined to be 3.530 ± 0.124, 0.139 ± 0.006, 0.245 ± 0.008, 0.779 ± 0.026, 0.433 ± 0.021, 0.388 ± 0.018, 0.617 ± 0.013, and 0.081 ± 0.005 mg/mL, respectively. This study established that UHPLC-MS/MS analysis demonstrated high efficiency and broad applicability, reflecting the chemical composition characteristics of Paeonia lactiflora and Glycyrrhiza decoction. This research provided a quantitative analysis method for the eight therapeutic components in Paeonia lactiflora and Glycyrrhiza decoction, applicable to its clinical use and quality control.

Key words: Paeonia lactiflora and Glycyrrhiza decoction, UHPLC-MS/MS, Medicinal composition, Content determination

Supporting:

Hao Jiang, Yushu Guo, Chao Shi. Quantification of eight components in Paeonia lactiflora and Glycyrrhiza decoction using UHPLC-MS/MS[J]. Journal of Chinese Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2024, 33(9): 837-845.

Figures/Tables 6

Table 1. UHPLC elution conditions.

Table 2. Mass spectrometry setting parameters for each component.

Table 3. Linear relationship of various components.

Table 4. Investigation of sample addition recovery rate.

Table 5. Content determination results of each component (mg/mL, n = 3).

References 18

[1]	Cui, Y.; Gao, X.; Zhao, X.; Feng, B.; Guan, J.; Zhu, H.Y. Simultaneous determination of paeoniflorin and albiforin in Shaoyao Gancao Decoction by HPLC. China Feed. 2022, 3, 108–111.
[2]	He, L.; Yao, X.Y.; Jin, Y.; Chen, H.C.; Shi, Y.; Liu, W. Establishment of HPLC fingerprint and determination of 7 components in Shaoyao Gancao Tang. Tradit. Chin. Med. 2019, 42, 1837–1841.
[3]	Zhou, Y.; Meng, F.X.; Zhang, X.Y.; Zhou, Q.Y.; Zhou, Y.J.; Chu, X.L.; Wang, F.L. Exploring the mechanism of Shaoyao Gancao Tang in intervention of tension headache based on network pharmacology. Int. J. Tradit. Chin. Med. 2021, 43, 680–689.
[4]	Qu, Y.Z.; Sun, B.; Zhu, G.W.; Ma, S.J.; Wan, L.C.; Li, Y.J.; Guo, J.; Li, G.; Yang, L.Y.; Li, B.G. Research on the application of DESI-MSI technology in the quality control of classic famous prescription Shaoyao Gancao Tang. Chin. Herb. Med. 2020, 51, 3433–3443.
[5]	Qian, H.L.; Ling, Z.Y.; Gu, Y.P. Analyze the clinical application and research progress of Shaoyao Gancao Tang in formula research. Clin. Res. Tradit. Chin. Med. 2020, 12, 131–132.
[6]	Chandrashekar, D.V.; Mehvar, R. UPLC-MS/MS analysis of CYP1A-mediated ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylation activity in the rat kidney microsomes. J. Chromatogr. B. 2020, 1153, 122272.
[7]	Zhang, A.N.; Wang, X.G. Overview of clinical application of Shaoyao Gancao Tang. World’s Latest Med. Inf. Dig. 2018, 18, 96–97.
[8]	Gheddar, L.; Ricaut, F.X.; Ameline, A.; Brucato, N.; Tsang, R.; Leavesley, M.; Raul, J.S.; Kintz, P. Testing for betel nut alkaloids in hair of papuans abusers using UPLC-MS/MS and UPLC-Q-Tof-MS. J. Anal. Toxicol. 2020, 44, 41–48.
[9]	Zhang, Z.W.; Lin, Y.F.; Liu, J.; Ni, L.; Huang, M.Q. Simultaneous determination of 12 flavonoids in red bean tree by UPLC-MS/MS method. J. Pharm. Anal. 2022, 42, 468–475.
[10]	Jia, X.Z.; Yang, X.L.; Lu, X.Y.; Liang, Y.Y.; He, M.Y.; Chen, X.D.; Wei, M.; Sun, D.M.; Li, Z.Y. Comparison of chemical components of white mustard seeds before and after frying based on ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry technology and chemometrics methods. China Pharm. 2021, 32, 2731–2735.
[11]	Yang, R.; Zhuang, X.Y.; Li, X.L.; Jia, Y.Q.; Chen, L. Simultaneous determination of 8 components in Shaoyao Gancao Tang by UPLC-MS/MS method. Tradit. Chin. Patent Med. Simple Preparat. 2021, 43, 2965–2969.
[12]	Wang, J.C. Rapid determination of Paeoniflorin in Fubao granules by HPLC. Northwest J. Pharm. 2017, 32, 160–162.
[13]	Qin, Z.J.; Yan, Q.; Hang, L.Y.; Tang, X.H.; Li, F.Q.; Xue, Y.Y.; Yuan, H.L. Isolation, characterization, and anti psoriasis effect of self assembled nanoparticles of Shaoyao Gancao Tang. Chin. J. Tradit. Chin. Med. 2023, 48, 2116–2125.
[14]	Xiao, Y.Y.; Zhu, J.; Liu, X.Y.; Jin, J.H.; Li, Y.H.; Ge Z.R.; Ma, J.H.; Zhang, C.Y. Research progress on chemical composition, pharmacological effects, clinical application of Shaoyao Gancao Tang and prediction analysis of its quality marker (Q-Marker). Chin. Herb. Med. 2022, 53, 7960–7969.
[15]	Li, X.; Liu, W.; Song, X.L.; Shi, Y.; Shu, W.F.; Zhang, G.C.; Liu, X.D. Optimization of the extraction process of Shaoyao Gancao Tang based on entropy weight method combined with Box Behnken response surface method. Asia Pacific Tradit. Med. 2022, 18, 53–58.
[16]	Hao, J.J.; Guo, Y.Y.; Li, W.; Chen, J.M.; Chen, J.M. Simultaneous determination of six active ingredients in Jinhong tablets using UHPLC-MS/MS method. J. Shenyang Pharm. Univ. 2023, 40, 1180–1186.
[17]	Cao, Z.M. Determination of Five Components in Sangju Ganmao Pills by HPLC-MS/MS. J. Shenyang Pharm. Univ. 2019, 36, 44–51.
[18]	She, Z.H.; Pei, Q.; Yang, G.P.; Tan, H.Y.; Wang, Y.; Huang, P.H.; Luo, M.; Zhang, B.K. Determination of sertraline concentration in human plasma by HPLC-MS/MS gradient elution method and its bioequivalence. Zhongnan Pharm. 2013, 11, 725–728.