Multidimensional quantitative analysis, LC-Q-Orbitrap-MS combined with chemical-activity based TOPSIS modeling for...

Area of Science:

• Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry
• Analytical Chemistry
• Traditional Chinese Medicine

Background:

• Platycodon grandiflorus (Jacq.) A. DC. is a traditional food-as-medicine plant with inconsistent quality.
• Diverse cultivation and sourcing practices contribute to variability in Platycodon root quality.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop an integrated quality evaluation system for Platycodon root.
• To standardize, trace, and grade Platycodon root based on chemical and biological activity.

Main Methods:

• Characterization of 165 compounds and 27 oligosaccharides using UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap-MS.
• Quantification of 15 chemical markers via HPLC-ELSD, HPLC-DAD, and UV-Vis.
• Assessment of antioxidant capacity using DPPH and ABTS assays.
• Development of a quality evaluation system using TOPSIS analysis with 17 indicators.

Main Results:

• Identification of key chemical markers and assessment of antioxidant properties.
• Development of a multi-indicator quality evaluation framework.
• TOPSIS analysis identified two- and three-year-old Platycodon roots as superior quality.

Conclusions:

• The developed framework provides a robust, theory-based methodology for Platycodon root quality standardization.
• This approach offers a referential model for the quality control of other medicinal herbs.
• The study facilitates traceability and grading of Platycodon root for improved consistency.