Rapid identification of chemical constituents from Ardisia japonica (Thunb.) Blume by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled to quadrupole Orbitrap high-resolution mass spectrometry

Ardisia japonica (Thunb.) Blume is a widely used traditional Chinese medicine to stop cough and uterine bleeding. However, it is difficult to separate and identify each component based on the traditional phytochemical methods, which hinders the clinical development and utilisation of A. japonica. In this case, a reliable ultra high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to quadrupole Orbitrap high-resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap HRMS) method was established to characterise and identify the chemical constituents in A. japonica. As a result, 42 compounds mainly including 9 phenols, 5 bergenin derivatives, 8 flavonoids and 20 triterpenoid saponins were identified in A. japonica. This is the first systematic and comprehensive chemical characterisation in A. japonica by UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap HRMS. The results will enrich the component information of A. japonica and accelerate the development and utilisation of plant resources.