Multi-Component Characterization and Quality Evaluation Strategy of Sarcandrae Herba by Combining Dual-Column Tandem HPLC Fingerprint and UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS

A dual-column tandem mode was used to establish the fingerprints of <i>Sarcandrae</i> herb from different origins, and their chemical compositions were characterized by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS, which provided an experimental basis for the establishment of a rapid and efficient method for the overall quality control of <i>Sarcandrae</i> herba. For the first time, nine common components were identified from the <i>Sarcandrae</i> herba herbs of 24 origins, which were neochlorogenic acid, chlorogenic acid, 4-caffeoylquinic acid, eleutheroside B1, quercetin-3-O-β-D-glucuronide, neoastilbin, astilbin, isofraxidin, and rosmarinic acid, respectively. A total of 92 compounds were identified by liquid mass spectrometry. The quality of the <i>Sarcandrae</i> herb from 24 origins was analyzed by similarity evaluation, principal component analysis, and cluster analysis, and the chemical components of <i>Sarcandrae</i> herba were identified by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS. The results showed that the overall analysis based on fingerprinting and mass spectrometry could differentiate the origins of the herbs.