Chemical composition analysis of Qingyan dropping pills using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry.

Rationale: This study developed a method for the rapid classification and identification of the chemical composition of Qingyan dropping pills (QDP) to provide the theoretical basis and data foundation for further in-depth research on the pharmacological substance basis of the formula and the selection of quality control indexes.

Methods: Ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS) and data postprocessing technology were used to analyze the chemical composition of QDP. The fragmentation information on possible characteristic fragments and related neutral losses was summarized based on the literature and was compared with the MS data obtained from the assay, and thus a rapid classification and identification of chemical components in QDP could be achieved.

Results: A total of 73 compounds were identified, namely 24 flavonoids, 14 terpenoids, 30 organic acids and their esters, 3 alkaloids, and 2 phenylpropanoids.

Conclusions: In this study, UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS and data postprocessing technology were used to realize the rapid classification and identification of the chemical constituents of QDP, which provided a comprehensive, efficient, and fast qualitative analysis method, a basis for further quality control and safe medication of QDP.