Study on C(21) steroidal glycosides of Cynanchum atratum by LC-MS

High performance liquid chromatography coupled with on-line electrospray tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC/ESI-MS/MS) was used to identify C_(21) steroidal glycosides in the roots of Cynanchum atratum.The structures of C_(21) steroidal glycosides were deduced from mass fragments features in positive and negative mode.The constituents of C atratum were separated and detected.7 compounds were identified by comparing their ESI-MS/MS data with the reference compounds and 2 compounds were inferred solely by the ESI-MS/MS data.The method is sensitive,and provides good separation and rapid qualitative characterization of C_(21) steroidal glycosides in the roots of C.atratum.