Rapid Analysis of Xanthones and Steroidal Saponins in Extract of Rhizoma Anemarrhenae by Ultra-performance Liquid Chromatography/Quadrupole-Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry

A rapid method for the chemical constituents analysis of Chinese herbal Rhizoma Anemarrhenae was developed by using ultra-performance liquid chromatography/quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC/Q-TOF MS) in both positive and negative ESI mode. This method could provide good accuracy of molecular weight of each component found in the Rhizoma with relative deviation within 5 ppm. On the basis of the mass spectrometric fragmentation mechanisms, MS/MS data and relevant literatures, the constituents of Rhizoma Anemarrhenae, including 7 xanthones and 43 steroidal saponins, were identified, in which 17 new isomers and 9 components were discriminated in Rhizoma Anemarrhenae for the first time. Meanwhile, the fragmentation behaviors of individual components were discussed in details.