Identification of Saponins, Flavonoids and Other Phenolic Compounds in Polysaccharide-containing Mixed Herbal Product (Pectorales species No 2) by Ultra-performance Liquid Chromatography with Photodiode arrays and Tandem Quadrupole Mass-selective Detectors

In Russian pharmaceutical practice, pectorales species No. 2 (phytopectol No.2) is used as part of complex therapy for upper respiratory tract diseases. Pectorales species No. 2 (PS No.2) includes in its composition polysaccharide-containing medicinal plant raw materials, leaves of plantain (Plantaginis majoris folia), leaves of coltsfoot (Tussilaginis farfarae folia), and licorice roots (Glycyrrhiza radices). In addition to polysaccharides, the listed medicinal plant raw materials contain saponins, flavonoids, hydroxycinnamic acids. These groups of compounds can exhibit antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory effects. The aim of this study is to determine the profile of saponins, flavonoids and other phenolic compounds in PS No. 2. To achieve this aim, the UPLC-PDA-MS/MS method was used. Results: Chemical analysis of herbal tea PS No. 2 identified a variety of flavonoids, including isoquercitrin, kaempferol and its derivatives, and liquiritigenin glycosides. Hydroxycinnamic acids, including chlorogenic and isochlorogenic acids, a number of dicaffeoylquinic acids (1,3-O-, 3,5-O-, 4,5-O-), 3,5-Di-O-caffeoyl-4-O-muconolactonylquinic acid, and 3,4,5-tricaffeoylquinic acid, were also found in the extract. Detected compounds from the group of saponins are represented by glycyrrhizic acid, glycyrrhizic acid, isoglycyrrhizic acid, licoricesaponin G2, isolicoricesaponin G2. Conclusions: PS No. 2 is rich in saponins, flavonoids and hydroxycinnamic acids. These compounds may be responsible for the anti-inflammatory effect of the herbal tea. To standardize PS No. 2, it is recommended to carry out a quantitative determination of glycyrrhizic acid as a marker compound.