Comprehensive Analysis of Corydalis decumbens From Different Regions Using UHPLC-HRMS and Chemometrics

Area of Science:

• Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry
• Analytical Chemistry
• Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Research

Background:

• The therapeutic efficacy of traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) is directly linked to their quality and authenticity.
• Distinguishing genuine Dao-di medicinal materials from inferior ones is vital for ensuring TCM quality and effectiveness.
• Corydalis decumbens (C. decumbens) is a widely used TCM, but its geographical origin differentiation and chemical basis remain underexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a comprehensive chemical profiling method for C. decumbens from various geographical regions.
• To identify specific chemical constituents responsible for regional variations in C. decumbens.
• To establish a chemometric approach for discriminating the geographical origins of C. decumbens.

Main Methods:

• Ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC-HRMS) was employed for chemical profiling.
• Compound identification involved database matching, fragmentation pathway elucidation, and comparison with authentic standards.
• Chemometric techniques, including Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Orthogonal Partial Least-Squares Discriminant Analysis (OPLS-DA), were used for origin differentiation.

Main Results:

• A total of 151 compounds were identified in C. decumbens, with 131 being isoquinoline alkaloids.
• 86 compounds, including eight novel isoquinoline alkaloids, were reported in C. decumbens for the first time.
• Chemometric analysis successfully distinguished 33 C. decumbens batches from six geographical origins, with alkaloids identified as the primary discriminative markers.

Conclusions:

• The developed UHPLC-HRMS method provides a powerful tool for comprehensive chemical profiling of C. decumbens.
• Alkaloids are key chemical constituents responsible for the geographical variations observed in C. decumbens.
• This study expands the chemical knowledge of C. decumbens and offers valuable insights for its quality control and origin discrimination.