Chemical diversity investigation of hepatotoxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids in Qianliguang (Senecio scandens) and related species by UHPLC-QTOF-MS1

Lin Zhu; Na Li; Jian-Qing Ruan; Peter P Fu; Zhong-Zhen Zhao; Ge Lin

doi:10.15806/j.issn.2311-8571.2014.0010

Users Online: 198

MODERN RESEARCH ON CHINESE MATERIA MEDICA

Year : 2015 | Volume : 1 | Issue : 2 | Page : 1-11

Chemical diversity investigation of hepatotoxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids in Qianliguang (Senecio scandens) and related species by UHPLC-QTOF-MS¹

Lin Zhu¹, Na Li², Jian-Qing Ruan¹, Peter P Fu³, Zhong-Zhen Zhao⁴, Ge Lin¹
¹ School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, Hong Kong, China
² State Key Lab for Quality Research in Chinese Medicines, Macau Institute for Applied Research in Medicine and Health, Macau University of Science and Technology, Taipa, Macau, China
³ National Center for Toxicological Research, Jefferson, AR 72079, United States
⁴ School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong SAR, Hong Kong, China

Correspondence Address:
Ge Lin
School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, Hong Kong
China

Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None

DOI: 10.15806/j.issn.2311-8571.2014.0010

Objective: Qianliguang (Senecio scandens) is a common Chinese medicinal herb. Qianliguang-containing herbal proprietary products are registered as over-the-counter remedies in China and exported to Western countries. The presence of hepatotoxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) has raised concerns about the safety of using Qianliguang and its products. The present study aims at investigation of different types of PAs present in Qianliguang collected from representative locations in China. Methods: In this study, a simple but specific UHPLC-QTOF-MS method for the determination of toxic PAs was developed, based on the characteristic fragment ions specific to different types of PAs. It was successfully applied for the identification and distinguishing of PAs present in Qianliguang and related Senecio species growing in different locations of China. Results: Significant diversity of the PA types and quantities were revealed among the samples tested. The estimated total amounts of toxic PAs in three of the samples exceed the toxic limits of PA intake restricted by WHO, demonstrating the timely and highly demand for regulating both types and quantities of PAs present in Qianliguang. Conclusions: This study provides the methodology for simultaneous identification and quantification of PAs present in herbs without requiring corresponding standards, which could be further used for more systematic investigations of the PA distribution in Qianliguang and other PA-containing herbs.

[FULL TEXT] [PDF]*