Analysis of Shuanghuanglian Injection Powder by HPLC-ESI-mass/mass spectrometry

AIM: To analyse the main chemical constituents of Shuanghuanglian Injection Power(Flos lonicerae japanicae,Radix scutellariae and Fructus forsythiae) by high performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-mass/mass spectrometry. METHODS: The sample solution was analysed by a Zorbax C_18 column with a gradient mobile phase comprised of acetonitrile and water.Electrospray ionization mass spectrometry detector was used,full-scan detection mode was evaluated for the identification of the liquid chromatography peaks. RESULTS: To analyse the mass spectrum of every liquid chromatography peaks,we identified 18 molecular mass from the ion chromatogram of Shuanghuanglian Injection Powder,9 compounds were identified,including quinic acid,caffeic acid,three monocaffeoylquinic acids,dicaffeoylquinic acid,forsythin,forsythoside and baicalin. CONCLUSION: Quinic acid is identified from Shuanghuanglian Injection Power for the first time.High performance liquid chromatography-mass/mass spectrometry is emerging as an important tool in traditional Chinese medicine.