Simultaneous quantitation of 15 bioactive components in Yupingfeng granules by LC-MS/MS

Area of Science:

• Pharmacology
• Analytical Chemistry
• Traditional Chinese Medicine

Background:

• Yupingfeng granules (YPFG) are used for immunological, inflammatory, and pulmonary diseases.
• Chromones, flavones, and saponins are key bioactive compounds in YPFG.
• Accurate quantification methods for YPFG's bioactive compounds are lacking.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish a simple, rapid, and accurate liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method.
• To quantify 15 major bioactive compounds in Yupingfeng granules (YPFG).
• To provide a basis for YPFG quality standard improvement.

Main Methods:

• Optimization of extraction parameters (solvent, time, ratio) and LC-MS/MS conditions.
• Ultrasound-assisted extraction using 50% ethanol.
• Chromatographic separation using a C18 column with formic acid/acetonitrile mobile phase.
• Validation of linearity, precision, repeatability, stability, and recovery.

Main Results:

• Optimal extraction: 0.1g YPFG, 50mL 50% ethanol, 30 min ultrasound.
• The developed LC-MS/MS method demonstrated acceptable linearity, precision, repeatability, stability, and recovery.
• Quantification of 15 bioactive compounds in seven YPFG batches.
• Comparison with HPLC showed the LC-MS/MS method is faster, simpler, more accurate, and reliable.

Conclusions:

• The established LC-MS/MS method is suitable for simultaneous determination of 15 compounds in YPFG.
• This method offers significant advantages over existing HPLC techniques.
• The findings support improved quality control and further research on YPFG's bioactive compounds.