UHPLC–Q‐TOF‐MS‐based metabolomics approach to compare the saponin compositions of Xueshuantong injection and Xuesaitong injection

Abstract

Various traditional Chinese medicine preparations developed from Notoginseng total saponins, including Xueshuantong injection and Xuesaitong injection, are extensively used in China to treat cardiocerebrovascular diseases. However, the difference of their saponin compositions remains unknown. An ultra high performance liquid chromatography with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry based metabolomics approach was developed to probe the saponin discrimination between Xueshuantong and Xuesaitong and the related factors by large sample analysis. A highly efficient chromatographic separation was achieved on an HSS T3 column within 20 min with the holistic metabolites information recorded in the negative MS mode. A six-step data pretreatment procedure mainly based on Progenesis QI and mass defect filtering was established. Pattern recognition chemometrics was used to discover the potential saponin markers. The saponin composition of Wuzhou Xueshuantong showed distinct discrimination from the other products. Wuzhou Xueshuantong contains more abundant protopanaxatriol-type noto-R , Rg , Re, and protopanaxadiol-type Rb , but less Rd and other low-polarity protopanaxadiol-type ginsenosides. These differences could not directly correlate to the use of different parts of Panax notoginseng, but possibly to the different preparation techniques employed by different manufacturers. These results are beneficial to the establishment of pharmacopoeia standards and the assessment of the efficacy and adverse drug reactions for these homologous products.

Approaches to establish Q-markers for the quality standards of traditional Chinese medicines

“…Secondly, LC–MS fingerprint coupled with multivariate statistical analysis is used to capture the global chemical information and discover the differential components. High-resolution mass spectrometry, including QTOF and LTQ-Orbitrap, coupled with UHPLC or offline comprehensive 2D-LC facilitates the high-throughput or profound qualitative analysis of ginsenosides from different Panax species and different parts3, 36, 39, 63, 64. Thirdly, a high-performance TLC approach that capacitates the species discrimination is established focusing on the examination of ginsenoside Q-markers.…”

“…In the case of quality assessment of P. notoginseng , a five-minute, UHPLC-based SSDMC method is developed that enables the simultaneous determination of five major saponins (noto-R 1 , Rg 1 , Re, Rb 1 , and Rd). On the other hand, UHPLC/QTOF-MS-based metabolomics is employed to establish the characteristic components of Xueshuantong and Xuesaitong, two similar Notoginseng total saponins products 64 .…”

A validated LC–MS/MS method for the simultaneous determination of 20‐(S)‐protopanaxatriol and its two active metabolites in rat plasma: Application to a pharmacokinetics study

“…Notoginsenosides are found as the major components in Panax notoginseng . They are prescribed for prevention and pretreatment of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases in China for hundreds of years . It has been widely accepted that notoginsenosides are susceptible to metabolism in gut, thereby forming deglycosylated metabolites and aglycones that are more readily absorbed into the body and act as the active substances .…”

“…in China for hundreds of years [1][2][3][4][5]. It has been widely accepted that notoginsenosides are susceptible to metabolism in gut, thereby forming deglycosylated metabolites and aglycones that are more readily absorbed into the body and act as the active substances [6,7].…”

Metabonomics study of the effects of traditional Chinese medicine formula Ermiaowan on hyperuricemic rats

“…In recent years, metabonomics is being used increasingly to study quality of TCM, therapeutic effects, toxicity, and side effects of TCM. Particularly LC-MS-based metabonomic method is the most widely used analytical technology in the field of global endogenous and exogenous profiling, due to its ability to separate and detect a wide range of molecules [13][14][15][16][17]. For example, Chang et al developed a metabolomics method to evaluate the influence of processing times on the quality of raw and processed Polygoni Multiflora Radix.…”