A systematic quality control method of Huangqi decoction: simultaneous determination of eleven flavonoids and seven triterpenoid saponins by UHPLC-MS

Abstract

A novel method of ultra high-pressure liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS) was developed for the quantitative analysis of 18 major bioactive components from Huangqi decoction (HQD). HQD is a classic traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) commonly used to treat consumptive and chronic liver diseases. Chromatographic separation was performed on a reverse-phase C₁₈ column for 30 min at a flow rate of 1 mL min⁻¹. The optimum mobile phase for the gradient elution was 0.05% aqueous formic acid and acetonitrile. All of the analytes showed good linearity over the tested concentration ranges (r² > 0.9972). The recoveries of the three concentration levels ranged from 91.14% to 106.21% with relative standard deviation (RSD) less than 4.69%. Intra- and inter-day precisions were less than 4.73% and 4.97%, respectively. Moreover, this method was successfully used to determine the content of HQD extracts in three different batches. Hence, this method could be used for the multi-component quality control of HQD.