Dynamic Variation Patterns of Aconitum Alkaloids in Daughter Root of Aconitum Carmichaelii (Fuzi) in the Decoction Process Based on the Content Changes of Nine Aconitum Alkaloids by HPLC- MS- MS

Abstract

The chemical components in the decoctions of Chinese herbal medicines are not always the same as those in the crude herbs because of the insolubility or instability of some compounds. In this work, a high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled with electrospray ionization (ESI) tandem mass spectrometry method was developed to explore dynamic variation patterns of aconitum alkaloids in Fuzi during the process of decocting aconite root. The fragmentation patterns of aconitum alkaloids using ESI and collision-induced dissociation (CID) techniques were reported. This assay method was validated with respect to linearity (r(2) > 0.9950), precision, repeatability, and accuracy (recovery rate between 94.6 and 107.9%).The result showed that the amounts of aconitum alkaloids in the decoction at different boiling time varied significantly. In the decoction process，the diester- type alkaloids in crude aconite roots have transformed into Benzoylaconines or aconines.

Keywords: Fuzi; HPLC- MS- MS; aconite decoction; aconitum alkaloids; dynamic variation.

Figure 1

Chemical structures of 9 compounds

Figure 2

Product ion mass spectra of [M+H]⁺ and the proposed fragmentation pathways of AC (A), BAC (B), BHA (C), aconine (D), and Hypaconine (E

Figure 3

Total ion MRM chromatograms of the sample obtained in positive mode for IS and 9 compounds from the decoction at 1 min after boiling (A) and black (B).

Figure 4

Amount of the 9 main components found in Fuzi decoction sample