Integrated UPLC-MS and multivariate data processing approach to explore the chemical components of Uncaria rhynchophylla and its absorbed components in rats following oral adminstration

Uncaria rhynchophylla (Miq.) Jacks (Gouteng in Chinese, UR), a common herbal medicine, is chosen for treating cerebral diseases such as convulsions, hypertension, epilepsy, and eclampsia. However, comprehensive research on the chemical components of UR and its absorbed components has not been revealed. To develop an integrative UP LC-Q-TOF-MS and multivariate data processing approach for determining the chemical constituents of UR and its absorbed constituents in rat serum after oral adminstration. A UP LC-Q-TOF-MS equipped with a Waters UP LCT M HSS T3 was applied for sample seperation. P CA and OP LS-DA were applied to extract differential variables. Based on the self-built databases combined with mass spectrometry cleavage patterns and reference standards, the components structural identification were carried out. In total, 40 compounds, including alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids were identified in UR. Amongst them, 26 prototype constituents were found in rat serum, which might be the potential active constituents.The identified constituents absorbed in blood could be the effective constituents. This work provided a solid experimental data for further research on the pharmacological substance basis and demonstrated the practicability of the UP LC-Q-TOF-MS for chemical constituents structural elucidation from herbal medicines.