LC-MS-Based Quality Assessment of a Traditional Chinese Medicine YANG XIN Formulation

YANG XIN is a traditional Chinese medicine formulation used for nervous fatigue and consists of a proprietary blend of concentrated extracts from 18 plant ingredients. The 18 constituent plant ingredients, YANG XIN capsules, and formulations 2014-005_1A and 1B were extracted by consecutive 24-hour macerations with dichloromethane followed by methanol. Metabolite separation was carried out through LC-MS in 40 minutes. Data acquisitions for qualitative and quantitative analyses of the samples were collected under () ESI modes and (+) APCI mode using full spectrum scan analysis. A total of 18 analytical markers were identified by LC-MS for YANG XIN formulations based on accurate mass measurements, molecular formula, double bond equivalent, MFG score, and error (ppm) of the measurement. Aditionally, a comparison of the data with previously reported results for the compounds, followed by identity confirmation with standard compounds, was performed. Seventeen analytical markers representing 17 plant ingredients in the different YANG XIN formulations were quantified for the first time. The YANG XIN capsules and the 2014-005_1B formulation were similar to each other and different from the 2014-005_1A formulation based on the fact that both YANG XIN capsules and the 2014-005_1B formulation contain the same analytical markers. This method provides good linearity (r(2)>0.9945), intraday precision (R.S.D. <3.9%), interday precision (R.S.D. <5.6%), accuracy (99.2-101%), recovery (145.7%), limit of detection (0.0011-0.0732 mu g/mL), and limit of quantitation (0.0038-0.2441 mu g/mL).