Transformation of astragalosides from radix astragali under acidic, neutral, and alkaline extraction conditions monitored by LC-ESI-TOF/MS

Chin J Nat Med. 2014 Apr;12(4):314-20. doi: 10.1016/S1875-5364(14)60062-5.

Abstract

Aim: To reveal the profile of astragalosides for better quality evaluation of Radix Astragali, this study was aimed to investigate the transformation of astragalosides under different conditions.

Method: Seven major astragalosides were selected for evaluation under acidic, neutral and alkaline conditions. The transformation in real plant samples was also examined and the products were characterized by LC-ESI-TOF/MS.

Results: In weak acidic solution, all of the astragalosides are stable. In addition, the transformation ratios of the astragalosides under neutral and alkaline conditions were also obtained.

Conclusion: In neutral solution, malonylastragaloside I was transformed to astragaloside I; and in alkaline solution, substituent group(s) in the xylose moiety of all the astragalosides were eliminated. Since astragalosdie IV is the basic skeleton structure of the astrgalosides, it is a common transformation product of other astragalosides.

Keywords: Astragalosides; LC-TOF/MS; Radix Astragali; Transformation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Astragalus Plant / chemistry*
  • Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid
  • Drugs, Chinese Herbal / chemistry*
  • Drugs, Chinese Herbal / isolation & purification
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Molecular Structure
  • Plant Roots / chemistry*
  • Tandem Mass Spectrometry
  • Triterpenes / chemistry*
  • Triterpenes / isolation & purification

Substances

  • Drugs, Chinese Herbal
  • Triterpenes