Integrated UPLC-MS and multivariate data processing approach to explore the chemical components of Uncaria rhynchophylla and its absorbed components in rats following oral adminstration

Abstract

Uncaria rhynchophylla (Miq.) Jacks (Gouteng in Chinese, UR), a common herbal medicine, is chosen for treating cerebral diseases such as convulsions, hypertension, epilepsy, and eclampsia. However, comprehensive research on the chemical components of UR and its absorbed components has not been revealed. To develop an integrative UP LC-Q-TOF-MS and multivariate data processing approach for determining the chemical constituents of UR and its absorbed constituents in rat serum after oral adminstration. A UP LC-Q-TOF-MS equipped with a Waters UP LCT M HSS T3 was applied for sample seperation. P CA and OP LS-DA were applied to extract differential variables. Based on the self-built databases combined with mass spectrometry cleavage patterns and reference standards, the components structural identification were carried out. In total, 40 compounds, including alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids were identified in UR. Amongst them, 26 prototype constituents were found in rat serum, which might be the potential active constituents.The identified constituents absorbed in blood could be the effective constituents. This work provided a solid experimental data for further research on the pharmacological substance basis and demonstrated the practicability of the UP LC-Q-TOF-MS for chemical constituents structural elucidation from herbal medicines.

Graphical Abstract

Keywords:

• Uncaria rhynchophylla
• UPLC-Q-TOF-MS
• chemical components
• multivariate data processing approach

Disclosure statement

This work has no conflicts of interest that might be relevant to the contents of this manuscript.

Data availability statement

Data available on request from the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the S&T Program of Hebei (H2022406026; H2022329001), the Research Fund for the Doctoral Program Funded by the Chengde Medical University (202106), the Central Government guides local S&T program of Hebei Province (216Z2501G), the Health Commission of Hebei Province(20200382), Hebei Key Laboratory of Nerve Injury and Repair (NJKF202103;NJKF202202;NJKF202304), Chengde Medical University Discipline Construction Funds (No. 2023LJ-1), Special Project for Basic Research Business Expenses of Chengde Medical College (KY202316), the Natural Science Foundation for the Youth funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (82104384), and Pharmacodynamic Material Basis Team of traditional Chinese medicine of the Youth PI (principle investigator) Science and Technology Innovation Team Project of Chengde Medical University.