Simultaneous detection of flavonoids and phenolic acids in Herba Lysimachiae and Herba Desmodii Styracifolii using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry

A sensitive liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) method was developed and validated for the simultaneous analysis of 15 flavonoids and 3 phenolic acids in Herba Lysimachiae and Herba Desmodii Styracifolii. Separation was performed using a Diamonsil C18 column, which was eluted with methanol (A) and 0.1‰ acetic acid (B). The gradient condition was as follows: 0–34 min, 20–34% A; 34–38 min, 34–95% A; maintained 95% A for the next 4 min. Analytes were detected using a hybrid quadrupole linear ion trap mass spectrometer that was equipped with an electrospray ionisation source in the negative ion and multiple-reaction monitoring modes. A full validation of the method was performed, including the linearity, precision, and accuracy, as well as limits of detection and quantification. The results indicated that the developed method was simple, sensitive and reliable. Furthermore, the method was successfully applied to differentiate 16 batches of Herba Lysimachiae and 21 batches of Herba Desmodii Styracifolii.