Study on Chemical Constituents in Polygoni Cuspidati Folium and its Preparation by UPLC-ESI-Q-TOF-MS/MS

A rapid and credible analytical method was developed using online UPLC-ESI-Q-TOF-MS/MS to identify chemical constituents in Polygoni cuspidati folium and its preparation. By accurate mass measurements within 6.5 ppm error for [M-H]- ion in routine analysis, 26 chemical constituents, including tannin, derivatives of phenylpropionic acid, stilbene, flavonoid, anthraquinone, torachryson and its derivatives, were identified or tentatively characterized. Among them, five constituents (compounds 19-23) were firstly reported in Polygoni cuspidati folium, other 17 constituents were coexisting in both Polygoni cuspidati folium and its preparation. Fragmentation behaviors of different categories of constituents were also investigated to confirm the results. This established UPLC-ESI-Q-TOF-MS/MS method, with reliance and efficiency for the identification the major constituents, would be the basis for quality control of Polygoni cuspidati folium and its preparation.