Quantification and characterization of alkaloids from roots of Rauwolfia serpentina using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-photo diode array-mass spectrometry

Abstract

A new UHPLC-UV method has been developed for the simultaneous analysis of seven alkaloids [ajmaline (1), yohimbine (2), corynanthine (3), ajmalicine (4), serpentine (5), serpentinine (6), and reserpine (7)] from the root samples of Rauwolfia serpentina (L.) Benth. ex Kurz. The chromatographic separation was achieved using a reversed phase C18 column with a mobile phase of water and acetonitrile, both containing 0.05% formic acid. The seven compounds were completely separated within 8 min at a flow rate of 0.2 mL/min with a 2-μL injection volume. The method is validated for linearity, accuracy, repeatability, limits of detection (LOD), and limits of quantification (LOQ). Seven plant samples and 21 dietary supplements claiming to contain Rauwolfia roots were analyzed and content of total alkaloids (1-7) varied, namely, 1.57-12.1 mg/g dry plant material and 0.0-4.5 mg/day, respectively. The results indicated that commercial products are of variable quality. The developed analytical method is simple, economic, fast, and suitable for quality control analysis of Rauwolfia samples and commercial products. The UHPLC-QToF-mass spectrometry with electrospray ionization (ESI) interface method is described for the confirmation and characterization of alkaloids from plant samples. This method involved the detection of [M + H](+) or M(+) ions in the positive mode.

Discovery of a Short‐Chain Dehydrogenase from Catharanthus roseus that Produces a New Monoterpene Indole Alkaloid

“…The product had an m / z of 371.1967, and also appeared to undergo dehydration ( m / z 353) during mass spectrometry (Figure S3). The fragmentation pattern indicated that the compound contains an indole moiety, with the typical 144 fragment observed for other indole alkaloids . In addition, a fragment of 342, which could potentially arise from the loss of a CH 2 O functional group, was observed.…”

Screening of monoterpene indole alkaloids in six Rauwolfia species by ultra‐high performance liquid chromatography orbitrap velos pro mass spectrometer

“…Separation of MIAs was reported within 23–50 min. in different Rauwolfia species using high performance liquid chromatography‐quadrupole time of flight‐mass spectrometry . The present method has good separation in 10 min time, high mass resolution, and mass accuracy with MS n facility .…”

“…Compounds 3 and 6 showed common fragment ions at m/z 160 and 174. Similarly, compounds 1 , 7 , 9 , 10 and 12 showed common fragment ions at m/z 170, 158 and 144 due to loss of terpene moiety via C ‐ring cleavage .…”

“…Similarly, fragment ion at m/z 210 also provided 178 due to losses of CH 3 OH in MS 3 experiment. MS 2 spectra of compounds 2 , 4 and 13 also showed RDA fragment ions at m/z 144, 178 and 204 corresponding with indole moiety and formed due to elimination of terpene moiety via C‐ring cleavage .…”

Analysis of alkaloids (indole alkaloids, isoquinoline alkaloids, tropane alkaloids)

“…Among all indole alkaloids, reserpine (antihypertensive agent) from Rauvolfia serpentine (Sagi et al, 2016), vinblastine and vincristine (antitumor lead) from Catharanthus roseus (El-Sayed and Verpoorte, 2007) are the most significant. Other indole alkaloids also possess essential and potent pharmacological activities such as antimicrobial, antifungal, CNS stimulant, antiviral.…”