Structural characterization and identification of major constituents in radix scrophulariae by HPLC coupled with electrospray ionization quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry.

AIM

To analyze the major constituents in Radix Scrophulariae (Scrophularia ningpoensis).

METHOD

Radix Scrophulariae was analyzed by HPLC coupled with electrospray ionization quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry (ESI-Q-TOF MS/MS). Compounds were separated by HPLC using a C18 column and gradient elution of acetonitrile and 0.1 % (V/V) acetic acid-water. Negative ion mode was employed.

RESULTS

A total of thirty-six compounds, including fourteen iridoid glycosides, nineteen phenylpropanoid glycosides, and three organic acids, were identified from Radix Scrophulariae based on the accurate mass measurement of precursor and product ions. Twenty-one of the constituents were identified by comparing their retention times (tR) and ESI-MS/MS data with those of reference standards and/or previous publications, while another fifteen compounds were tentatively identified or deduced according to their Q-TOF MS/MS data which afforded sufficient structural information.

CONCLUSION

It is believed that this study is useful for the identification of constituents in Radix Scrophulariae, as well as related plants and complex prescriptions.