Qualitative and quantitative analysis of the chemical constituents in Mahuang-Fuzi-Xixin decoction based on high performance liquid chromatography combined with time-of-flight mass spectrometry and triple quadrupole mass spectrometers.

High-performance liquid chromatography coupled with time-of-flight mass spectrometry (HPLC-TOF/MS) and high-performance liquid chromatography-triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (HPLC-QQQ/MS/MS) were utilized to clarify the chemical constituents of Mahuang-Fuzi-Xixin Decoction. There are 52 compounds, including alkaloids, amino acids and organic acids were identified or tentatively characterized by their characteristic high resolution mass data by HPLC-QQQ/MS/MS. In the subsequent quantitative analysis, 10 constituents, including methyl ephedrine, aconine, songrine, fuziline, neoline, talatisamine, chasmanine, benzoylmesaconine, benzoylaconine and benzoylhypaconine were simultaneously determined by HPLC-QQQ/MS/MS with multiple reaction monitoring mode. Satisfactory linearity was achieved with wide linear range and fine determination coefficient (r > 0.9992). The relative standard deviations (RSD) of inter- and intra-day precisions were <3%. This method was also validated by repeatability, stability and recovery with RSD <3% respectively. A highly sensitive and efficient method was established for chemical constituents studying, including identification and quantification of Mahuang-Fuzi-Xixin decoction.