Rapid quantitative analysis of 12 chemical constituents in wild-simulated and cultivated Astragali Radix based on UHPLC-MS

Objective: Astragali Radix (AR) is one of the most widely used traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) for tonic, which can be divided into wild-simulated and cultivated AR according to its cultivation method. However, whether cultivated AR can replace wild-simulated AR has always been a concern. Methods: In this study, a rapid, highly sensitive and specific analytical method using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS) was developed to quantitatively measure 12 chemical constituents of AR in the different cultivation methods. Results: AR samples were analyzed with a good linear regression relationship (R-2, 0.9983-0.9995), precisions (relative standard deviation (RSD), 1.31%-2.36%), repeatability (RSD, 2.65%-4.92%), stability (RSD, 1.50%-4.05%), and recovery (95.13%-106.52%). Through the determination of AR samples, we found the components of flavonoids in wild-simulated AR were higher than cultivated AR, the saponins in cultivated AR were higher, the ratio of saponins/flavonoids in cultivated AR was higher than wild -simulated AR. Conclusion: Based on this research, it could provide guidance for the quality control of AR. (C) 2022 Tianjin Press of Chinese Herbal Medicines. Published by ELSEVIER B.V.

Automated summary

In this study, a rapid, highly sensitive and specific analytical method using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS) was developed to quantitatively measure 12 chemical constituents of Astragali Radix (AR) in different cultivation methods. The results showed that there were differences in the composition and ratio of chemical constituents between wild-simulated and cultivated AR. This research provides guidance for the quality control of AR.