Rapid Analysis of Multiple Constituents of Suanzaoren Decoction by UPLC-MS

Abstract Suanzaoren decoction (SZRD) was reported originally in the Synopsis of Prescriptions of the Golden Chamber by Zhang Zhongjing (Han Dynasty) and is one of the most famous traditional prescriptions with effects of hypnosis, sedation, and anticonvulsion, and has been effectively used for the treatment of insomnia in clinics. It consists of five Chinese herbs, i.e., Semen Ziziphi Spinosae, Poria, Rhizoma Chuanxiong, Rhizoma Anemarrhenae, and Radix Glycyrrhizae. Chemical studies on the composition herbs of SZRD have been conducted respectively; unfortunately, the integrated chemical identification of SZRD preparation is still lacking. To investigate the effectiveness of SZRD, the characterization of multiple constituents in the prescription is crucial. It is widely accepted that a vast number of chemical constituents existing in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), which are responsible for therapeutic effects, have become challenging and major obstacles to further pharmacological investigation. In recent years, many analytical methods have been successfully applied in the analysis of TCM prescriptions. For example, time-of-flight mass spectrometry, which can provide accurate mass measurements and formulas of nontarget compounds, is able to identify nontarget compounds tentatively. Quadrupole ion trap mass spectrometry can distinguish isomers according to their characteristic fragment ions. The chemical compounds in TCM prescriptions can be tentatively characterized by combining the two techniques. Ultraperformance liquid chromatography with minor particles has greatly improved the resolution, sensitivity, and analytical speed, integrating with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry to form a new high-performance platform for TCM research. In the present study, a robust Waters ultraperformance liquid chromatography electrospray ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry system and a Waters UPLC BEH C 18 column with a 1.7 μm particle size was utilized, and a thorough analysis of the famous SZRD was undertaken.