Fingerprint analysis and multi-ingredient determination using a single reference standard for Saposhnikoviae radix.

Area of Science:

• Pharmacognosy
• Analytical Chemistry
• Quality Control

Background:

• Saposhnikoviae Radix (SR) quality is crucial for its therapeutic efficacy.
• Existing methods for SR quality assessment may lack comprehensiveness or efficiency.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a comprehensive quality evaluation method for Saposhnikoviae Radix (SR).
• To establish a reliable analytical technique integrating fingerprint analysis and multi-component quantification.

Main Methods:

• High-performance liquid chromatography-diode array detection (HPLC-DAD) for fingerprint analysis.
• High-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) for peak identification.
• Principal component analysis (PCA) for sample discrimination.
• Single standard determination of multiple components (SSDMC) for chromone quantification.

Main Results:

• 12 out of 15 common peaks in SR fingerprints were identified.
• PCA effectively discriminated between 15 batches of SR from different origins.
• The SSDMC method for four chromones demonstrated high linearity (R(2) ≥ 0.9997), precision (RSD <4.0%), and accuracy (97.4 - 106.6%).

Conclusions:

• The integrated HPLC method provides a reliable and efficient approach for the overall quality evaluation of Saposhnikoviae Radix.
• This method offers advantages in feasibility, economy, and simplicity compared to traditional methods.