Rapid detection and characterization of the major chemical constituents in Akebia quinata by high performance liquid chromatography coupled to electrospray ionization and quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry

The stem of Akebia quinata (SAQ) has long been used in traditional Chinese medicine as an antiphlogistic, a diuretic, and an analgesic. However, its multiple chemical constituents remained unknown. In this study, we conducted high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to electrospray ionisation and quadrupole time-of-flight-mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS) analysis to comprehensively profile chemical constituents in SAQ. A total of 34 compounds were identified or tentatively characterized, including scopolin, calceolarioside B and 32 triterpene saponins, of which 10 triterpene saponins from SAQ were reported for the first time and were characterized as potential new compounds. This study provides a good example for the rapid identification of multiple chemical constituents in complex samples by HPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS without tedious and time-consuming isolation of each pure constituent from the crude extract.