Fingerprint Analysis of Ginkgo biloba Extract and Ginkgo semen in Preparations by LC-Q-TOF/MS

摘要

An ultra-high performance liquid chromatography with tandem quadrupole/flight mass spectrometry (LC-Q-TOF/MS) method was developed for the chromatographic fingerprint analyses of Ginkgo biloba extract and Ginkgo semen. All samples were extracted with 70% methanol and part of each extract was hydrolyzed by acids. The chromatographic analyses of these materials were performed on a C18 analytical column (3.0 x 150 mm, 2.7 um) with gradient elution using methanol and water with 0.01% formic acid at a flow rate of 0.5 mL/min. Mass spectrometry was performed in the negative-ion mode ESI to determine the compounds in G. biloba extract and G. semen by comparison with the accurate molecular weight of the reference compounds and literature reported. In addition, Ginkgolide J and Bilobalide were identified from G. semen by this method for the first time. The method was successfully used to analyze compounds in G. biloba extract and G. semen with significantly reduced analytical time, and also applied in the analysis of more complex components in G. biloba products. Many clinical experience and researches indicated that Chinese medicines have significant function in the treatment of human diseases, improvement of the quality of life and prolongation of life. Owing to the chemical complexity of Chinese herbal medicines, the authenticity and quality of raw materials are key factors to medical effectiveness. Therefore, it is important to establish an analytical method to identify the authenticity of raw materials and their related products. For complex botanicals, such as Ginkgo biloba extracts, the quantitation of single or selected targeted compounds does not provide the whole picture of the botanicals. For this reason, the chromatographic fingerprint technology was accepted by the World Health Organization in 1991 as a strategy for the identification and evaluation of herbal medicines. Fingerprint profiling has been widely accepted as a tool for quality control by regulatory authorities worldwide.