Qualitative and quantitative analysis of Porana sinensis Hemsl by UHPLC‐Q‐Exactive MS, TLC autographic method and DART‐MS

INTRODUCTION: Erycibe obtusifolia and E. schmidtii are widely used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) to treat joint pain and rheumatoid arthritis. With the reduction of wild E. obtusifolia and E. schmidtii resources, Porana sinensis has been widely used as a substitute. However, few studies have been conducted on the chemical composition and quality control of P. sinensis. OBJECTIVE: To clarify the chemical composition and improve the quality control of P. sinensis. METHODOLOGY: We developed an ultra‐high performance liquid chromatography electrospray ionisation Q‐Exactive Focus tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC‐ESI‐Q‐Exactive Focus‐MS/MS) method to characterise the chemical constituents of P. sinensis. A strategy based on a combination of high‐performance thin‐layer chromatography (HPTLC) and direct analysis in real‐time (DART) ion source was proposed for the identification of alkaloid components in P. sinensis. Thin‐layer chromatography (TLC) autography for 2,2′‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl free radical (DPPH˙) and TLC bioautography for xanthine oxidase were used to rapidly screen marker compounds for high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) determination of P. sinensis. Based on the selected marker compounds, a HPLC method for the quantitative determination of eight marker compounds in P. sinensis was developed. RESULTS: Eighteen compounds in P. sinensis were identified by UHPLC‐Q‐Exactive MS. Taken together with the results of TLC autography and TLC bioautography, eight compounds were chosen as marker compounds for HPLC determination of P. sinensis. The alkaloid components in P. sinensis were identified as Baogongteng A and Baogongteng C by DART‐MS. CONCLUSION: We systematically clarified the chemical composition of P. sinensis for the first time, and potentially improved its quality control. These results should promote the application of P. sinensis as a new resource for Caulis Erycibes.