Chemical profiling of Zilong Jin tablets using ultra high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole/orbitrap high resolution mass spectrometry

J Sep Sci. 2021 Oct;44(19):3562-3579. doi: 10.1002/jssc.202100310. Epub 2021 Aug 25.

Abstract

Zilongjin tablets as a traditional Chinese medicine are widely used for primary lung cancer patients with deficiency of "qi " and "blood " syndrome undergoing chemotherapy. It is a compound preparation that consists of eight herbs. To clarify the chemical profiling of Zilong Jin tablets rapidly, a feasible and accurate strategy was developed by the ultra high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole/orbitrap high resolution mass spectrometry. According to the accurate mass and fragment ion information provided by high resolution mass spectrometry, the compounds were reasonably identified. In total, 74 compounds were characterized, including 20 flavonoids, 14 quinones, 15 organic acids, 6 phthalide compounds, and 19 other compounds. Among them, 34 major compounds were unambiguously confirmed by comparing with reference standards. This study could provide an important scientific basis for further research on quality control, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, and clinical application of Zilong Jin tablets.

Keywords: Chemical profiling; High resolution mass spectrometry; Quadrupole/Orbitrap; Traditional Chinese medicine; Ultra high performance liquid chromatography.

MeSH terms

  • Benzofurans / analysis
  • Benzofurans / chemistry
  • Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid / methods*
  • Drugs, Chinese Herbal / chemistry*
  • Flavonoids / analysis
  • Flavonoids / chemistry
  • Mass Spectrometry / methods*
  • Quinones / analysis
  • Quinones / chemistry

Substances

  • Benzofurans
  • Drugs, Chinese Herbal
  • Flavonoids
  • Quinones
  • zilongjin