Simultaneous component analysis of Akebia quinate seeds by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry for quality and cytotoxicity assessment title

Akebia quinata seeds (AQSs) are used as an analgesic, antiphlogistic, and diuretic in traditional herbal medicine [ 1 ] [ 2 ]. We developed an ultra-performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) simultaneous component analysis method to analyze eight compounds (chlorogenic acid, isochlorogenic acid A, isochlorogenic acid C, hederacolchiside F, hederacoside C, dipsacoside B, akebia saponin D, and α-hederin) as markers for the quality assessment of AQSs ([ Fig. 1 ]). The separation of the eight analytes was performed in an Acquity UPLC BEH C18 reversed-phase analytical column. The method was validated with respect to linearity (coefficient of determination≥0.994), recovery (90.32-108.18%; relative standard deviation (RSD)