Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis of the Saponins in Panacis Japonici Rhizoma Using Ultra-Fast Liquid Chromatography Coupled with Triple Quadrupole-Time of Flight Tandem Mass Spectrometry and Ultra-Fast Liquid Chromatography Coupled with Triple Quadrupole-Linear Ion Trap Tandem Mass Spectrometry.

Panacis Japonici Rhizoma (PJR) contains various kinds of saponins, which possesses extensive pharmacological activities, but studies of comprehensive analysis of its saponins were limited. Thus, ultra-fast liquid chromatography coupled with triple quadrupole-time of flight tandem mass spectrometry (UFLC-Triple TOF-MS/MS) and ultra-fast liquid chromatography coupled with triple quadrupole-linear ion trap tandem mass spectrometry (UFLC-QTRAP-MS/MS) methods were established for the qualitative and quantitative analysis of the saponins in PJR, separately. Fifty three saponins in PJR were identified by UFLC-Triple TOF-MS/MS method, 23 saponins of which were unequivocally identified by reference substances. In addition, fragmentation pathways of different types of saponins were preliminarily deduced by fragmentation behavior of 53 saponins. Furthermore, the simultaneous determination of the contents of 13 saponins in PJR samples harvested at different times were analyzed by UFLC-QTRAP-MS/MS method. Furthermore, the quality of the samples was evaluated by grey relational analysis. This study might be beneficial to the quality assessment and control of PJR. Meanwhile, it might provide the basic information for confirming its optimal harvested period.