Rapid Screening and Quantitative Determination of Active Components in Qing-Hua-Yu-Re-Formula Using UHPLC-Q-TOF/MS and HPLC-UV

Qing-Hua-Yu-Re-Formula (QHYRF), a new herbal preparation, has been extensively used for treating diabetic cardiomyopathy. However, the chemical constituents of QHYRF remain uninvestigated. In the present study, rapid ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC-Q-TOF/MS) was used to qualitatively analyze the components of QHYRF. Qualitative detection was performed on a Kromasil C18 column through the gradient elution mode, using acetonitrile-water containing 0.1% formic acid. Twenty-seven compounds were identified or tentatively characterized, including 12 phenolic acids, nine monoterpene glycosides, two flavonoids, three iridoids, and one unknown compound. Among these, six compounds were confirmed by comparing with standards. A high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method was developed to simultaneously determine the following six active components in QHYRF: danshensu, paeoniflorin, acteoside, lithospermic acid, salvianolic acid B, and salvianolic acid C. These HPLC chromatograms were monitored at 254, 280, and 320 nm. The method was well validated with respect to specificity, linearity, limit of detection, limit of quantification, precision, stability, and recovery. The HPLC-UV method was successfully applied to 10 batches of QHYRF.


Introduction
An increasing number of people have suffered from diabetes in recent years, and cardiovascular complications secondary to diabetes have become the main cause of death in diabetic patients. e incidence of cardiovascular disease in patients with diabetes is 2-3 times higher than that of nondiabetic patients [1]. Diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM), a specific cardiomyopathy and one of the major cardiac complications in diabetic patients, was found in diabetic patients without significant coronary artery atherosclerosis by Rubler et al. in 1972 [2]. Few clinical symptoms were observed in early DCM. However, with the further development of the disease, patients have become more susceptible to heart failure due to myocardial microvascular and metabolic disorders, which lead to changes in myocardial cell dysfunction and structure.
Moreover, DCM is closely related to the high incidence of cardiovascular disease and high mortality in patients with diabetes. It was reported that the prevalence of DCM in patients with type 2 diabetes is approximately 12% [3].
At present, controlling blood sugar and improving heart failure are the main ways to overcome DCM. However, treatment with Western medicine remains unsatisfactory. erefore, the diagnosis and therapy for DCM have presently become pressing problems. Traditional Chinese herbal formulation (TCMF) has been widely used in clinic due to its well-proven efficacy and few side effects. e Qing-Hua-Yu-Re-Formula (QHYRF) is a new herbal preparation for treating DCM, which was developed by Professor Wang Xu, according to the clinic experience of Chinese Medicine Master Professor Zhou Zhongying. e recipe of QHYRF comprises six herbal medicines: radix rehmanniae recen, Salvia miltiorrhiza Bge, cortex moutan, Rhizoma coptidis, radix paeoniae rubra, and Euonymus alatus. Emerging evidences have indicated that the six major active components (danshensu, paeoniflorin, acteoside, lithospermic acid, salvianolic acid B, and salvianolic acid C) in QHYRF protect cardiomyocytes by antioxidation, anti-inflammation, antiapoptosis, and decreasing calcium overload [4][5][6][7]. Moreover, clinical studies have shown that QHYRF could effectively improve symptoms in patients with DCM, including blood sugar, blood rheology, and left ventricular structure and function. According to the known effective components, we speculate that the effect of myocardial protection of QHYRF could be achieved through the following methods: (1) increase myocardial glucose transporter gene expression to improve glucose and lipid metabolism; (2) decrease the level of inflammatory cytokine hypersensitive C-reactive protein and tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and increase serum adiponectin levels to reduce inflammation; (3) reduce glucose toxicity; (4) increase insulin sensitivity and improve insulin resistance; (5) reduce the apoptosis of cardiac muscle cells and decrease the PAI-1 level of the fibrinolysis system; (6) improve blood stasis [8,9].
It has been widely accepted that the chemical composition of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is complex, and its improper use may cause toxic effects [10]. erefore, the quality control of TCM is extremely important. However, few researches have been carried on the chemical composition of QHYRF. Furthermore, the specific content of its main ingredients remains unknown. It should be noted that the constituents and contents of the main active components of QHYRF may be influenced by harvest time, plant origin, and manufacturing procedures [10,11]. us, there is an urgent need to develop an effective method for QHYRF quality control, in order to guarantee its pharmacological efficacy.
In the present study, both qualitative and quantitative approaches were developed for the comprehensive quality control of QHYRF. Twenty-seven compounds were identified or tentatively characterized by ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole-time-offlight mass spectrometry (UHPLC-Q-TOF/MS), including 12 phenolic acids, nine monoterpene glycosides, two flavonoids, three iridoids, and one unknown compound. Moreover, a simple, reliable, and sensitive analytical method, the high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection (HPLC-UV) method, was used to determine the quantity of the six major active components (danshensu, paeoniflorin, acteoside, lithospermic acid, salvianolic acid B, and salvianolic acid C) of QHYRF. e potential application of the present study not only supports the quality control of QHYRF but also provides a theoretical research basis for the further research of QHYRF in clinic. e standard compounds (purity > 98%; danshensu, paeoniflorin, acteoside, lithospermic acid, salvianolic acid B, and salvianolic acid C) were purchased from Sichuan Victor Biotechnology Co., Ltd. HPLC-grade acetonitrile was obtained from Merck Co. All solutions and dilutions were prepared with ultrapure water obtained from a Milli-Q water purification system. e extraction procedures for QHYRF total fraction were as follows: first, 15 g of radix rehmanniae recen, 15 g of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bge, 10 g of paeonol, 5 g of Rhizoma coptidis, 10 g of radix paeoniae rubra, and 10 g of Euonymus alatus were extracted twice with water (×8) to yield a crude extract. Second, the crude extract was concentrated and spray-dried to obtain the final product.

Sample Preparation.
e samples were prepared as follows: 20 mg of QHYRF total fraction was dissolved in 1 mL of methanol and ultrasonicated for 15 minutes. en, the sample solution was centrifuged at 12,000 rpm for 10 minutes, transferred to vials, and subjected to UHPLC-Q-TOF/MS and HPLC-UV analysis.

HPLC-UV Analysis.
e analysis was performed on a Shimadzu HPLC system. Chromatographic separation was achieved on an XBridge C 18 column (4.6 × 150 mm, 5 μm). e temperature of the column oven was set at 30°C, and the flow rate was 1.0 mL/min. e sample injection volume was 10 μL. e mobile phases were a mixture of water with 0.1% formic acid (solvent A) and acetonitrile (solvent B). A gradient program was employed according to the following profile: 0-10 minutes, 10-15% B; 10-25 minutes, linear increase to 30% B; 25-60 minutes, linear increase to 100% B. e UV wavelength was set at 254 nm (paeoniflorin, lithospermic acid, and salvianolic acid B), 280 nm (danshensu and salvianolic acid C), and 320 nm (acteoside).

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Journal of Analytical Methods in Chemistry

Validation of the Established HPLC-UV Approach.
e stock solution that contained the six reference compounds (0.5 mg/mL danshensu, 25 mg/mL paeoniflorin, 1 mg/mL acteoside, 1 mg/mL lithospermic acid, 10 mg/mL salvianolic acid B, and 1 mg/mL salvianolic acid C) was prepared in methanol and stored at 4°C. In order to establish the calibration curves, the stock solution was diluted to appropriate concentrations. Solutions that contained different concentrations of the six standard compounds were injected in triplicate. e calibration curves were peak areas versus the concentration for each compound [12]. e limit of detection (LOD) was determined as a signalto-noise ratio equal to 3, and the limit of quantification (LOQ) was based on 10 times of the signal-to-noise ratio value. e precision was evaluated by intraday and interday variability. Intraday reproducibility was carried out by analyzing the individual sample solution six times within one day. For interday variability, six samples were determined six times in three consecutive days.
A stability study was performed with a sample solution checked at 0, 4, 8, 12, and 24 hours. Variations were expressed by relative standard deviations (RSDs).
Recovery studies were carried out by spiking known amounts of the reference compounds at low, medium, and high concentration in the samples. en, the spiked samples were thoroughly mixed, extracted, and analyzed in accordance with the methods mentioned above. Recovery (%) � (amount found − original amount)/amount spiked × 100% [12].

Application to Different Batches of QHYRF.
e established HPLC-UV method was subsequently employed for the simultaneous quantification of danshensu, paeoniflorin, acteoside, lithospermic acid, salvianolic acid B, and salvianolic acid C in QHYRF from 10 different batches.

UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS Analysis.
e UHPLC-Q-TOF/MS approach was employed for the separation and identification of compounds in QHYRF. e total ion current chromatogram is shown in Figure 1. A total of 27 compounds were identified, including 12 phenolic acids, nine monoterpene glycosides, two flavonoids, three iridoids, and one unknown compound. e detailed information is displayed in Table 1. e retention time and fragmentation information of compounds 2, 11, 16, 22, 23, and 26 were compared with that of the standard compounds.
Phenolic acids were the major components of QHYRF. A total of 12 phenolic acids were identified and tentatively characterized based on their mass data and reports in literature.
ese always exhibited a unique fragmentation behavior. e characteristic mass behaviors of these phenolic compounds were the losses of danshensu (198 Da) and caffeic acid (180 Da) molecules. Peak 2 revealed the [M-H] − ion at m/z 197.0467 and gave the element composition of C 9 H 10 O 5 . In the MS 2 spectra, the ions at m/z 135 and 179 were observed, which was consistent with that of danshensu. In comparison with the reference, compound 2 was unambiguously identified as danshensu (Figure 2           Journal of Analytical Methods in Chemistry and was 104 Da more than that of paeoniflorin. Compared with the literature [16], peak 27 was tentatively characterized as benzoylpaeoniflorin. Iridoids were also observed in the formula. Peaks 16 and 17 revealed the same [M-H] − at m/z 623 and produced the same fragments at m/z 461 and 161. Compared with the standard, compound 16 was unambiguously identified as acteoside (Figure 2(c)). e retention time of peak 17 was a little later than that of peak 16. Compared with the literature, compound 17 was tentatively deduced as forsythoside A.  [21], compounds 12 and 13 were tentatively characterized as hydroxysafflor yellow A and its isomer.

Development and Validation of the HPLC-UV Approach.
e HPLC separation conditions were optimized including the mobile phase system, column temperature, and UV detection wavelength. In order to obtain chromatograms with better resolution of the adjacent peaks and shorter time, methanol and acetonitrile were compared in the experiment. e result indicated that acetonitrile was better than methanol due to shorter analysis time and better peak shape. In addition, the different column temperatures were also optimized. Finally, 30°C was chosen as the best column temperature. Under present HPLC conditions, the samples of QHYRF and standard solutions were analyzed. e UV absorption and detection wavelength of each compound were confirmed as follows: paeoniflorin, lithospermic acid and salvianolic acid B (254 nm), danshensu and salvianolic acid C (280 nm), and acteoside (320 nm) (chemical structure is shown in Figure 3).
According to the representative chromatograms of the standard solution, sample solution, and negative control samples solution, it could be found that the determination of these six compounds does not interfere with each other (Figure 4). e calibration curves of danshensu, paeoniflorin, acteoside, lithospermic acid, salvianolic acid B, and salvianolic acid C were linear within the range of 2.6-500, 20.8-25,000, 5.2-1000, 10.4-1000, 5.2-10,000, and 10.4-1000 μg/mL, respectively. e correlation coefficient (R 2 ) of all six standards revealed a good linearity of >0.991 in the aforementioned ranges. e LODs and LOQs of these six compounds were 0.6-5.0 and 2.6-20.8 μg/mL, respectively (Table 2).
Intraday and interday variations were chosen to evaluate the precision of the method. ese results are shown in Table 2. It was revealed that the intraday and interday RSDs were within the range of 1.6%-4.8% and 1.2%-2.2% (n � 6). e stability of six major compounds ranged from 2.8% to 4.7%, which met the requirements of the analytical approach (Table 3).
e recovery data are shown in Table 4, which represents the accuracy of the method and was sufficient for the analysis. e measured data indicated that the recovery of these six components ranged from 99.0% to 104.7%.

Application.
e established HPLC-UV approach was employed for simultaneously quantifying the six active components in 10 batches of QHYRF.
ese results are presented in Table 5. Furthermore, these results revealed that there were small differences among the contents of the six major constituents in different batches of QHYRF.
Optimized chromatographic conditions for the good resolution of adjacent peaks were achieved after several trials with elution systems of acetonitrile-water, methanol-water, acetonitrile-acid, and methanol-acid in different proportions.  It was found that the presence of 0.1% fomic acid resulted in the significant improvement on the retention behavior of the different components. e optimal mobile phase, which consists of acetonitrile-0.1% fomic acid, was finally employed.
is led to its high resolution and symmetrical peak shape. According to the theory of TCM, QHYRF was prepared by six herbal medicines to cure the disease of diabetic cardiomyopathy. e presence of the researched active compounds in QHYRF was proved, making it possible to suggest a therapeutic effect in clinical applications. However, it enhances the complexity of the constituents and preparation procedures, which make it difficult to ensure the batch-to-batch uniformity of QHYRF. us, the quantitative measurement of its bioactive components is extremely necessary during the preparation and application of this prescription.
In recent years, methods for multicomponent analysis have become a credible solution for the analysis of a complex system in TCM. At present, we developed a sensitive HPLC-UV method to simultaneously quantify six active components in 10 different batches of QHYRF. A slight variation was observed in the different batches of QHYRF during the determination of the six major constituents, which reveal that the present preparation of QHYRF has good reproducibility. Furthermore, good reproducibility ensures the safety and effects of QHYRF in clinical application.

Conclusion
In summary, a simple and sensitive UHPLC-Q-TOF/MS method was established to qualitatively analyze the chemical components of QHYRF. Twenty-seven compounds were identified or tentatively characterized based on retention time, and MS 1 and MS 2 data, or by comparing with standards and literatures. ese compounds include 12 phenolic acids, nine monoterpene glycosides, two flavonoids, three iridoids, and one unknown compound. A HPLC-UV method for the simultaneous determination of six active components from QHYRF was developed and well validated, showing its excellent precision, stability, and recovery. In addition, these results indicate a slight variation in the contents of the six major constituents among the different batches of QHYRF. is is the first comprehensive study that qualitatively and quantitatively determined the chemical constituents of QHYRF using UHPLC-Q-TOF/MS and HPLC-UV. us, these findings could serve as a foundation for the quality control or further research of QHYRF.