Comparison and Discrimination of and by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry-Based Metabolomic Approach.

and are two morphologically similar herbal medicines derived from the genus. Although the two herbs have been used as herbal medicines for a long time, studies on their phytochemicals and bioactive compositions are still limited, and no research has been devoted to compare the volatile compounds in and . To compare the volatile constituents in and and to explore chemical markers for discrimination and quality evaluation of the two herbal medicines. A GC-MS-based metabolomic approach was employed to compare and discriminate and from the aspect of volatile compounds. Multivariate statistical methods, including principal component analysis and orthogonal partial least-squares discriminate analysis, were applied to explore chemical markers for discrimination of the two herbal medicines. Thirty volatile compounds were identified, and the chemical profiles of volatile compounds in and were quite similar. Principal component analysis and orthogonal partial least-squares discrimination analysis results indicated that the two herbal medicines could be distinguished effectively from each other. Ten volatile compounds were selected as potential chemical markers for discrimination of the two herbal medicines. The GC-MS-based metabolomics could be an acceptable strategy for comparison and discrimination of and as well as authentication of herbal medicines derived from other closely related species. GC-MS based metabolomic approach was firstly applied to compare and discriminate Artemisia argyi and Artemisia lavandulifolia.