Comparative evaluation of cultivars of Chrysanthemum morifolium flowers by HPLC-DAD-ESI/MS analysis and antiallergic assay.

A multicomponent quantification fingerprint based on HPLC coupled with diode array detection and electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-DAD-ESI/MS) technique has been established for the analysis of phenolic compounds in 12 samples originated from 5 different cultivars of Chrysanthemum morifolium flowers in China. Four caffeoylquinic acids and 15 flavonoids in the capitulum were identified by comparing the retention times and ultraviolet spectra as well as the mass spectrum and/or matching the empirical molecular formula with that of reference compounds, and the contents of these compounds have been determined simultaneously. The samples from three medicinal cultivars significantly differed in the quality and quantity of flavonoid aglycones and glycosides compared with those from two edible cultivars, which allows the possibility of showing the chemical distinctness of these cultivars and may be useful in their standardization. Moreover, the antiallergic effects of these cultivars were comparatively assayed for the first time. A representative medicinal cultivar, 'huaiju', showed potential activity on the inhibition of antigen-induced degranulation from RBL-2H3 cells and compound 48/80-induced scratching in mice, whereas the in vitro and in vivo antiallergic activities of two edible cultivars were weak. The results suggested that the quality and quantity of some active flavonoid aglycones should be responsible for the pharmacological profiles of these cultivars.