Core-multiplex-micro component profiling for precision discrimination of multi-sources and adulterated arnebiae radix, from herbs to formulations

IF 6.7 1区医学 Q1 CHEMISTRY, MEDICINAL

Phytomedicine Pub Date : 2025-06-18 DOI:10.1016/j.phymed.2025.156954

Fei Sha , Jianqing Zhang , Cuicui Wang , Huiting Ou , Yun Li , Wenlong Wei , Changliang Yao , Qirui Bi , Xiaochi Ma , De-an Guo

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Background

The “one-to-multiple” phenomenon and counterfeiting are prevalent in herbal medicines. Accurately identifying these issues in both crude herbs and commercial formulated products is crucial for ensuring drug safety and efficacy. However, this task remains inherently challenging due to the complex nature of the matrices involved.

Purpose

This study aims to develop methodologies for the precise authentication of multi-sourced herbal medicines and their counterfeits, and to trace constituent species in commercial products.

Methods

This paper proposes an integrated strategy termed “Core-Multiplex-Micro (CMM) component profiling for precision discrimination amid multi-sources and adulterants”, using Arnebiae Radix as a case study. The strategy begins with the comparative analysis of primary component, shikonin derivatives, across two genuine species and three adulterants, employing a single standard to determine multi-components (SSDMC) approach. It then expands to include a broader range of mid- to low-abundance metabolites through fingerprinting-based classification. Subsequently, trace-level components are explored using LTQ-Orbitrap MS combined with metabolomics to authenticate the five species. Robust chemical markers are identified, validated, and translated to a cost-effective QDa MS platform for targeted detection. This tiered methodology was applied to authenticate 15 batches of commercially available raw materials and 10 batches of formulations.

Results

The study successfully distinguished between two authentic Arnebiae Radix species and three adulterants simultaneously for the first time. Through cross-validation, nine diagnostic chemical markers were identified and effectively transferred from the expensive LTQ-Orbitrap MS platform to a more cost-effective QDa MS system for practical use in commercial product traceability. The research revealed that 60% of raw Arnebiae Radix materials were authentic, while 30% of the formulations matched their labeled species composition.

Conclusion

This study sets a precedent for precise traceability for “one-to-multiple” and counterfeit products: tracing them from raw herbs to final formulations.

Abstract Image

查看原文本刊更多论文

核心-多组分-微组分谱分析用于从草药到制剂的多来源和掺假的紫菀根的精确鉴别

中药行业存在“一对多”现象和假冒现象。准确识别粗草药和商业配方产品中的这些问题对于确保药物安全性和有效性至关重要。然而，由于所涉及的矩阵的复杂性，这项任务仍然具有固有的挑战性。目的建立多来源中药材及其仿冒品的精确鉴别方法，并对商品中药材的成分种类进行追踪。方法提出了一种“核心-多路-微（CMM）成分分析”的综合策略，用于多来源和掺假物的精确鉴别。该策略首先采用单一标准确定多组分（SSDMC）方法，对两种正品和三种掺假品的主要成分——紫草素衍生物进行比较分析。然后，通过基于指纹的分类，它扩展到包括更广泛的中低丰度代谢物。随后，利用LTQ-Orbitrap MS结合代谢组学对5种植物的痕量成分进行了鉴定。稳健的化学标记物被识别，验证，并转化为具有成本效益的QDa质谱平台，用于靶向检测。采用分层方法对15批市售原料和10批制剂进行了鉴定。结果本研究首次成功地同时鉴别出两种真品和三种伪品。通过交叉验证，鉴定出9个诊断化学标记，并有效地从昂贵的LTQ-Orbitrap质谱平台转移到更具成本效益的QDa质谱系统中，用于商业产品的可追溯性。研究表明，60%的原始紫杉材料是真实的，而30%的配方与其标记的物种成分相匹配。结论本研究为“一对多”和假冒产品的精确追溯开创了先例：从原料草药到最终配方的追溯。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Phytomedicine 医学-药学

CiteScore

10.30

自引率

5.10%

发文量

670

审稿时长

91 days

期刊介绍： Phytomedicine is a therapy-oriented journal that publishes innovative studies on the efficacy, safety, quality, and mechanisms of action of specified plant extracts, phytopharmaceuticals, and their isolated constituents. This includes clinical, pharmacological, pharmacokinetic, and toxicological studies of herbal medicinal products, preparations, and purified compounds with defined and consistent quality, ensuring reproducible pharmacological activity. Founded in 1994, Phytomedicine aims to focus and stimulate research in this field and establish internationally accepted scientific standards for pharmacological studies, proof of clinical efficacy, and safety of phytomedicines.