Quantitative analysis of multicomponents by single marker combined with HPLC fingerprint qualitative analyses for comprehensive evaluation of Aurantii Fructus.

The present study aimed to develop a strategy involving quantitative analysis of multicomponents by single marker in combination with high-performance liquid chromatography fingerprint qualitative analysis for performing the quality control of Aurantii Fructus. The content of 12 components (eriocitrin, neoeriocitrin, narirutin, naringin, hesperidin, neohesperidin, meranzin, poncirin, naringenin, nobiletin, tangeretin, and auraptene) in samples was determined using reliable relative correction factors that were obtained using naringin as an internal reference standard. The new method demonstrated good applicability, and no significant differences were observed between the external standard method and the new method as determined by calculating standard method difference. Qualitative evaluation of samples was conducted using similarity analysis, hierarchical cluster analysis, and quality fluctuation analysis. Chromatographic fingerprint data were divided into three groups by similarity and hierarchical cluster analyses, and seven components may have a more significant impact on the quality of Aurantii Fructus in quality fluctuation analysis. Overall, the study suggests that the qualitative and quantitative analyses of multicomponents using quantitative analysis of multicomponents by single marker combined with chromatographic fingerprinting can be considered good quality criteria for performing quality control and providing technical support for the further pharmacological and pharmaceutical research of Aurantii Fructus.

Simultaneous optimization of ultrasound-assisted extraction for total flavonoid content and antioxidant activity of the tender stem of Triarrhena lutarioriparia using response surface methodology.

The asparagus of Triarrhena lutarioriparia (TL) is a popular vegetable with abundant chemical compounds in China. This study aims to optimize the ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) method for its content of total flavonoid and antioxidant activities by response surface methodology (RSM). Box-Behnken design was adopted to evaluate the influences of ethanol concentration, extraction time and solvent-to-sample ratio on the extraction yield of total flavonoid and the antioxidant activity. Considering the maximum content of extracted total flavonoids and antioxidant activity, the optimal extraction conditions were acquired with 70% (v/v) ethanol by UAE for 60 min at a solvent-to-sample ratio of 40 mL/g. The proportion of the extraction of total flavonoid was 15.88 mg/g and antioxidant activity reached 79.53%. The RSM would be recommended as an appropriate model for simultaneous optimization of the UAE conditions for the content of total flavonoid and the antioxidant activity of asparagus of TL.

Development of a Method for Simultaneous Determination of Two Stilbenes and Four Anthraquinones from Polygonum Cuspidatum by RP-HPLC.

Background: Polygonum cuspidatum Sieb. et Zucc. (named Huzhang in China) is a traditional and popular Chinese medicinal herb used in removing jaundice, clearing heat-toxin, improving blood circulation, expelling stasis, dispelling wind and dampness, repelling phlegm, and suppressing cough. It is widely used in drug and functional food fields and distributed throughout the world, including in China, Japan, and North America. Objective: To control the quality of Polygonum cuspidatum, an effective, reliable, and simple method for simultaneous determination of two stilbenes (polydatin, resveratrol) and four anthraquinones (emodin, physcion, rhein, and anthraglycoside B) was developed and validated for the first time in this study by reversed-phase HPLC (RP-HPLC). Methods: Separation was carried out on Agilent C18 column (250 × 4.6 mm I.D., 5 µm) with acetonitrile and 0.10% aqueous phosphoric acid as mobile phase and gradient elution at a flow rate of 0.8 mL/min. Detection was conducted with mobile wavelength at 30°C. Results: Good validation of the method including linearity, precision, repeatability, and recovery was performed. The contents of the studied analytes are significantly different, and resveratrol and rhein in particular existed in greater fluctuation among the samples. Conclusion: A simple, reliable, and sensitive method has been successfully established and applied to the analysis for simultaneous determination of the target compounds in 11 batches of samples. Highlights: Separation and quantitative analysis of two stilbenes and four anthraquinones from P. cuspidatum were developed by RP-HPLC. This method is convenient, sensitive, and accurate and can provide a reliable basis for further applications of P. cuspidatum in drug or food fields.