Development of a Reverse-Phase High-Performance Liquid Chromatography and Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry Methods for Quality Control of Daegunjoong-Tang

Daegunjoong-tang (DGJT) is an oriental medicine consisting of four medicinal herbs (Zingiber officinale Rosc., Panax ginseng C.A.Mey., Oryza sativa L., and Zanthoxylum schinifolium Sieb. et Zucc.) that is used to treat intestinal- and cancer-related diseases. In this study, a protocol for quality control of DGJT based on reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) analysis were developed. In HPLC analysis, the marker analytes (hyperoside, quercitrin, ginsenoside Rg1, and 6-gingerol) were separated, verified, and quantified using a mobile phase of 0.1% (v/v) aqueous formic acid–0.1% (v/v) formic acid in acetonitrile system, and a C18 reverse-phase column (4.6 mm × 250 mm, particle size; 5 m) maintained at 40 °C. In LC–MS/MS analysis, all analytes were separated using a Waters Acquity UPLC BEH C18 column (2.1 mm × 100 mm, particle size; 1.7 μm). Using the developed HPLC and LC–MS/MS methods, the four marker analytes were found in the samples at 0.95–13.86 mg/g (HPLC) and 0.27–2.42 mg/g (LC–MS/MS). The assay will be useful for evaluating the quality of DGJT.