Simultaneous analysis of protoberberine, indolequinoline and quinolone alkaloids in coptis-evodia herb couple and the Chinese herbal preparations by high-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray mass spectrometry.

A new and sensitive method has been developed for analysis of protoberberine, indolequinoline and quinolone alkaloids in coptis-evodia herb couple and the Chinese herbal preparations by using HPLC in combination with electrospray mass spectrometry (ESI-MS). Different LC and cone voltages have been optimized prior to this in order to obtain better results and sensitivity. The method was carried out by using a spherigel C(18) analytical column with a gradient solvent system of acetate buffer-acetonitrile-methanol. The contents of alkaloids were measured by pseudomolecule ion on the selective ion recording (SIR) mode. Linearity of around three orders in the magnitude of concentration was generally obtained and limits of detection for these compounds were in the range of 9-30pg.