[Identification of main related substances in potassium sodium dehydroandrographolide succinate]

To identify the structure of three related substances in potassium sodium dehydroandrographolide succinate (PSDS), an HPLC preparation method was used to separate the impurities. These main impurities were identified using LC-ESI/TOFMS, LC-ESI/MSn, NMR, UV and IR. One of the main impurities was a hydrolyzed and oxidized product of PSDS, which has not been reported previouely. The other two impurities were hydrolyzed products of PSDS after losing different succinic acids. The results indicate that PSDS can be easily hydrolyzed and oxidized. It should be stored at cool and dry places.