Characterization of triterpenoidic saponin mixture in crude extracts from leaves of Acanthopanax senticosus Harms by saponin structural correlation and mass spectrometry

Eighteen triterpenoidic saponins in crude extracts from leaves of Acanthopanax senticous Harms have been investigated by electrospray ionization multi-stage tandem mass spectrometry and high-resolution mass spectrometry. In ESI-MS spectra, predominant [M + Na](+) ions in the positive ion mode have been observed for molecular mass information. Meanwhile, specific structural correlations between these ions are firstly found. The 18 peaks (ions) can be classified into three groups (group D, E, and F with mass increase) with each group including six peaks. There is a mass difference of 132 Da between group D and E for each corresponding peak in turn (for example peak 1 to peak 7), indicating one more pentose residue was attached to saponins in group E than those corresponding in group D. The mass difference of 146 Da between group E and F implies one more deoxy-hexose attached to saponins in group F than those corresponding in group E. The structural correlations of the corresponding ions are confirmed by tandem mass spectrometry and high-re solution mass spectrometry. These structural features can not only facilitate the rapid characterization of the native known saponins in crude plant extracts, thus avoiding tedious derivation and separation of saponins, but also help find novel compounds of the same type in a specific medicinal plant.

Identification of herb Acanthopanax senticosus (Rupr. Et Maxim.) harms by capillary electrophoresis with electrochemical detection

In this paper, a rapid, high efficient, sensitive and inexpensive approach based on a combination of simple ultrasonic extract and capillary electrophoresis (CE) separation with electrochemical detection (ED), is described to identify herbs by comparing their CE-ED profiles (namely, CE-ED electropherograms). The proposed method takes advantage of ultrasmall sample volume, low consumption of organic solvent, simple sample pretreatment and easy cleanup procedure. It was applied to analyze the CE-ED profiles of stems of herb Acanthopanax senticosus (Rupr. Et Maxim.) Harms from different sources and different parts (roots, rhizomes, stems and leaves) of this herb. By comparing peak number, peak height and peak height ratio, we found that the CE-ED profiles showed big differences for the herbs from the different sources and the different parts of this herb. In addition, the distribution of bioactive compounds (isofraxidin, rutin and chlorogenic acid) in the different parts of this herb and their content variations affected by the source were studied with the CE-ED method. Based on their own unique CE-ED profiles, these herbs from the different sources and the different parts of this herb could be easily distinguished. Therefore, the proposed approach could be used as a rapid, high efficient and sensitive method for the identification of herbal medicines.

Analysis of flavonoids from leaves of Acanthopanax Senticosus Harms

Using electrospray tandem mass spectrometry (ESI-MSn), the flavonoids obtained from leaves in Acanthopanax Senticosus Harms were analyzed. The typical colorimetric method and the ultroviolet spectrophotometry were also utilized for the determination of the content of total flavonoids. The analytical results showed that there was quercetin as well as its derivatives in leaves of acanthopanax senticosus harms and their content was as high as 37.25%.

Identification of the flavonoid constituents from leaves of Acanthopanax Senticosus Harms

Four flavonoids from leaves of Acanthopanax Senticosus Harms were observed in negative ion mode in the electrospray mass spectra. Two of them were further isolated and identified as quercitrin (quercetin-3-O-alpha-L-rhamnoside) and hyperin (quercetin-3-O-beta-D-galactoside) on the basis of MS' and NMR data. The other two compounds in the mixtures were tentatively established as quercetin and rutin (quercetin-3-O-rutinoside) in terms of their electrospray tandem mass spectrometry (ESI-MSn) data. Three of the four flavonoids (excluding hyperin) haven't been reported in this plant before.

Analysis of flavonoid constituents from leaves of Acanthopanax senticosus Harms by electrospray tandem mass spectrometry

Three known flavonoids, quercetin, quercitrin (quercetin-3-0-rhamnoside) and rutin (quercetin-3-0-rutinoside), have been identified for the first time in the leaves of Acanthopanax senticosus Harms by using electrospray tandem mass spectrometry techniques (ESI-MSn). The flavonoid hyperin (quercetin-3-0-beta-galactoside), already known to be present, was also investigated. The diagnostic fragment ions of the aglycone quercetin were obtained in the ESI-MSn experiments, and a fragmentation mechanism proposed.

Multi-stage mass spectrometric studies of triterpenoid saponins in crude extracts from Acanthopanax senticosus harms

Three triterpenoid saponins in crude extracts from Acanthopanax senticosus Harms have been investigated by use of multi-stage mass spectrometry (MSn) combined with electrospray ionization (ESI), MSn spectra were applied to direct structure elucidation of these saponins in crude plant extracts, in positive and negative ion mode. The characteristic fragmentations of triterpenoid saponins are discussed. The method provides a means of rapid initial screening of crude plant extracts. Copyright (C) 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.