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. 2023 Jun 1;28(11):4504.
doi: 10.3390/molecules28114504.

Identification of Chemical Constituents in Blumea balsamifera Using UPLC-Q-Orbitrap HRMS and Evaluation of Their Antioxidant Activities

Liping Dai  1   2 , Shengnan Cai  1   2 , Dake Chu  2 , Rui Pang  2 , Jianhao Deng  2 , Xilong Zheng  1 , Wei Dai  2
Affiliations

Identification of Chemical Constituents in Blumea balsamifera Using UPLC-Q-Orbitrap HRMS and Evaluation of Their Antioxidant Activities

Liping Dai et al. Molecules. .

Abstract

Blumea balsamifera (L.) DC., a perennial herb in the Asteraceae family native to China and Southeast Asia, has a notable history of medicinal use due to its pharmacological properties. Using UPLC-Q-Orbitrap HRMS techniques, we systematically investigated the chemical constituents of this plant. A total of 31 constituents were identified, of which 14 were flavonoid compounds. Significantly, 18 of these compounds were identified in B. balsamifera for the first time. Furthermore, the mass spectrometry fragmentation patterns of significant chemical constituents identified in B. balsamifera were analyzed, providing important insights into their structural characteristics. The in vitro antioxidative potential of the methanol extract of B. balsamifera was assessed using DPPH and ABTS free-radical-scavenging assays, total antioxidative capacity, and reducing power. The antioxidative activity exhibited a direct correlation with the mass concentration of the extract, with IC50 values of 105.1 ± 0.503 μg/mL and 12.49 ± 0.341 μg/mL for DPPH and ABTS, respectively. For total antioxidant capacity, the absorbance was 0.454 ± 0.009 at 400 μg/mL. In addition, the reducing power was 1.099 ± 0.03 at 2000 μg/mL. This study affirms that UPLC-Q-Orbitrap HRMS can effectively discern the chemical constituents in B. balsamifera, primarily its flavonoid compounds, and substantiates its antioxidative properties. This underscores its potential utility as a natural antioxidant in the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetics sectors. This research provides a valuable theoretical basis and reference value for the comprehensive development and utilization of B. balsamifera and expands our understanding of this medicinally valuable plant.

Keywords: Blumea balsamifera; UPLC–Q–Orbitrap HRMS; antioxidant activities; chemical constituents; mass spectrometry fragmentation patterns.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Possible fragmentation pathways of rutin in negative ion mode.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Possible mass spectrometry fragmentation pathway of hesperidin in negative ion mode.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Possible mass fragmentation pathways of chlorogenic acid in negative ion mode.
Figure 4
Figure 4
The possible mass spectrometry fragmentation pathway of aurantiamide acetate in positive ion mode.
Figure 5
Figure 5
The possible mass fragmentation pathway of tanshinone IIA in positive ion mode.
Figure 6
Figure 6
The DPPH radical scavenging activities of (a) the ascorbic acid control and (b) B. balsamifera methanol extract.
Figure 7
Figure 7
The ABTS radical scavenging activities of (a) the ascorbic acid control and (b) B. balsamifera methanol extract.
Figure 8
Figure 8
Total antioxidant capacity of (a) the ascorbic acid control and (b) B. balsamifera methanol extract.
Figure 9
Figure 9
Total reducing power of (a) the ascorbic acid control and (b) B. balsamifera methanol extract.
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