Screening of Quality Markers During the Processing of Reynoutria multiflora Based on the UHPLC-Q-Exactive Plus Orbitrap MS/MS Metabolomic Method

The root of Reynoutria multiflora (Thunb.) Moldenke (syn: Polygonum multiflorum Thunb.) is a distinguished herb that has been popularly used in traditional Chinese medicine. The raw Reynoutria multiflora (RRM) should be processed by steaming before use, and the processing time is not specified in the processing specification. Our previous studies showed that the efficacy and toxicity of processed Reynoutria multiflora (PRM) at different processing times were inconsistent. A comprehensive identification method was established in this study to find a quality marker of raw Reynoutria multiflora (RRM) and processed Reynoutria multiflora (PRM) with different processing times. Metabolomics based on ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography tandem quadrupole/electrostatic field orbitrap high-resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC-Q-Exactive plus orbitrap MS/MS) was used in this study. Using the CD.2 software processed database, multivariate statistical analysis methods coupled with cluster analysis and heatmap were implemented to distinguish between RRMs and PRMs with different processing times. The results showed that RRM and PRMs processed for 4, 8, 12, and 18 h cluster into group 1, and PRM processed for 24 and 32 h into group 2, indicating that it can effectively distinguish between the two groups and twenty potential markers, made the highest contributions to the observed chemical differences between two groups. Among them, tetrahydroxystilbene-O-hexoside-O-galloyl and sucrose can be used to identify PRM processed for 24 h. Therefore, the properties of RRM changed after 24 h of processing, and the quality markers were screened to distinguish RRM and PPM. It can also be used as an important control technology for the processing of RM, which has wide application prospects.

Quality assessment: Qualitative and quantitative analysis of nine active components in Sargentodoxa cuneata by HPLC/Q Exactive Plus MS and UPLC-ESI-MS/MS

Background: Sargentodoxa cuneata is an herb commonly used by the Hmong people, and many preparations containing this herb have been marketed. However, the source of medicinal materials is not standardized during the production process, and the quality of medicinal materials from different sources may be inconsistent. This study was aimed to establish a qualitative and quantitative analysis method for quality assessment of Sargentodoxa cuneata in different regions. Methods: HPLC/Q Exactive Plus MS was performed in positive mode and negative mode used for qualitative analysis, and there were twenty-one ingredients were tested. Nine high-content or characteristic ingredients were screened out and applied to the quantitative analysis of thirty batches of medicinal materials from different origins. Based on the results of the quantitative analysis, further multivariate statistical analyses were carried out for quality assessment of Sargentodoxa cuneata . Results: Results showed that there were significant differences in the contents of the nine ingredients of Sargentodoxa cuneata in the eastern and southwestern regions. The content of hydroxytyrosol, salidroside, chlorogenic acid, desrhamnosyl isoacteoside, and liriodendrin of Sargentodoxa cuneata in eastern region was higher, while the content of protocatechin in southwestern region was higher. The different ingredients included protocatechuic acid, desrhamnosyl isoacteoside, liriodendrin, and hydroxytyrosol. These four ingredients were important factors that caused the difference in the quality of Sargentodoxa cuneata from different origins. Conclusion: Protocatechuic acid, desrhamnosyl isoacteoside, liriodendrin, and hydroxytyrosol may become a new marker for quality assessment of Sargentodoxa cuneata.