Study on Quality Control of Compound Anoectochilus roxburghii (Wall.) Lindl. by Liquid Chromatography–Tandem Mass Spectrometry

Compound Anoectochilus roxburghii (Wall.) Lindl. (A. roxburghii) oral liquid (CAROL) is a hospital preparation of A. roxburghii and Ganoderma lucidum (G. lucidum), which have hepatoprotective effects. Eight active components (five nucleosides/nucleobases and three triterpenoid acids) in CAROL, A. roxburghii, and G. lucidum were simultaneously detected by high-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS). The multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode was applied for the detection of analytes. These eight compounds were separated well within 12 min and quantified using the internal standard working curve method. The method showed good linearity (R(2) > 0.9935) and high sensitivity (limit of detection = 0.29 ng/mL). The analyte recovery ranged from 85.07% to 97.50% (relative standard deviation < 3.31%). The content of the target analytes in four batches of CAROL, and the raw materials of G. lucidum and A. roxburghii from the five regions was determined using this method. The contents of guanosine and ganoderic acid A in four batches of oral liquid were high and stabilized and could be recommended as quality markers (Q-marker) for CAROL. Simultaneous qualitative and quantitative analysis of nucleosides and triterpenoid acids in CAROL, A. roxburghii, and G. lucidum by LC–MS/MS based on the MRM model was reported for the first time. The proposed method provides a sensitive, rapid, and reliable approach for the quality control of Chinese medicinal products.