Simultaneous analysis of eight bioactive steroidal saponins in Gongxuening capsules by HPLC-ELSD and HPLC-MS ⁿ

Summary

Rapid high-performance liquid chromatographic methods with evaporative light scattering detection (HPLC-ELSD) and electrospray ionization multistage mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-MS ⁿ) have been established and validated for simultaneous qualitative and quantitative analysis of eight steroidal saponins in ten batches of Gongxuening capsule (GXN), a widely commercially available traditional Chinese preparation. The optimum chromatographic conditions entailed use of a Kromasil C ₁₈ column with acetonitrile-water (30:70 to 62:38, υ/υ) as mobile phase at a flow rate of 1.0 mL min ⁻¹. The drift tube temperature of the ELSD was 102°C and the nebulizing gas flow rate was 2.8 L min ⁻¹. Separation was successfully achieved within 25 min. LC-ESI-MS ⁿ was used for unequivocal identification of the constituents of the samples by comparison with reference compounds. The assay was fully validated for precision, repeatability, accuracy, and stability, then successfully applied to quantification of the eight compounds in samples. The method could be effective for evaluation of the clinical safety and efficacy of GXN.