Qualitative and quantitative analysis of Eclipta prostrata L. by LC/MS

Area of Science:

• Pharmacognosy
• Analytical Chemistry
• Herbal Medicine Quality Control

Background:

• Eclipta prostrata L. is a vital Chinese medicinal herb with diverse therapeutic uses.
• Current quality control methods for E. prostrata are insufficient, necessitating advanced analytical techniques.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish and validate a comprehensive qualitative and quantitative analysis method for Eclipta prostrata.
• To ensure the quality and consistency of E. prostrata for medicinal applications.

Main Methods:

• Utilized Ultra-High-Performance Liquid Chromatography-Diode Array Detection-Quadrupole Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (UHPLC-DAD-Q-TOF-MS) for fingerprinting and qualitative analysis.
• Developed a simultaneous quantitative determination method for nine marker compounds using LC/MS.
• Validated the analytical method for accuracy, precision, repeatability, and linearity.

Main Results:

• Successfully established a UHPLC-DAD-Q-TOF-MS fingerprint for Eclipta prostrata.
• Developed and validated a method for the simultaneous quantification of nine specific compounds.
• Demonstrated the method's suitability for analyzing E. prostrata samples from various origins.

Conclusions:

• The developed LC/MS method provides a robust tool for the qualitative and quantitative analysis of Eclipta prostrata.
• This analytical approach significantly enhances the quality control of E. prostrata, ensuring its therapeutic efficacy.