Simultaneous UHPLC/MS quantitative analysis and comparison of Saposhnikoviae radix constituents in cultivated, wild and commercial products

Differences in the components of the crude drug Saposhnikoviae radix, both wild and cultivated, and the cultivation duration were examined by UHPLC/MS. As a result, there was no significant difference in composition depending on the region in China where the drug was produced. The most abundant components in all samples were prim-O-glucosylcimifugin, 4′-O-glucosyl-5-O-methylvisamminol, 3′-O-acetylhamaudol and cimifugin. The 1 year-old Saposhnikoviae radix cultivated in Japan had a low component content overall. A comparison of components according to root thickness revealed that glycosides, such as prim-O-glucosylcimifugin and 4’-O-glucosyl-5-O-methylvisamminol, were accumulated in thin roots. In a comparison of the components according to the drying temperature, a large difference was observed in the content of glycosides, and a difference was observed depending on the sugar-binding position. According to a metabolome analysis in domestic commercial products by LC/MS, a characteristic component in the cultivated product was found and its content was low in the 1 year-old sample and high in the 2 year-old sample. If the cultivation duration is prolonged up to about 6 years, the contents of the ingredients are close to those of wild products.