[Rapid recognition and identification of chemical constituents in Qinghuo Zhimai tablets by SPE-HPLC-ESI-MS(n)].

OBJECTIVE: To establish a method for analyzing solid phase extraction-high performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (SPE-HPLC-ESI-MS(n)), in order to recognize and identify the main chemical constituents in Qinghuo Zhimai tablets.

METHOD: The possible structures of the compounds were determined according to the structure information of compounds observed from molecular ion peaks and fragment ions in HPLC-ESI-MS(n) negative ion mode and by comparing with literature data or control samples.

RESULT: Through the comparative analysis on Qinghuo Zhimai Tablets and components of its formula, 39 chemical constituents were identified, including 7 caffeoylquinic acids, 7 iridoids, 6 diterpenoid lactones, 5 homoisoflavonoids, 13 steroidal saponins and 1 flavone glycoside.

CONCLUSION: This study provides a simple and rapid method for identifying chemical components in Qinghuo Zhimai tablets.