Simultaneous determination of seven ginsenosides in Du Shen Tang decoction by rapid resolution liquid chromatography (RRLC) coupled with tandem mass spectrometry

A rapid quantification of seven ginsenosides in Du Shen Tang decoction, the decoction of the root of Panax ginseng was investigated by rapid resolution liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (RRLC–MS/MS). All analytes including seven major constituents, namely ginsenoside-Re, Rg1, Rb1, Rc, Rb2, Rd and Rf were analysed simultaneously in short time and provide good linearity (r > 0.9976), repeatability (RSD < 5.67%), intra- and inter-day precisions (RSD < 5.06%) with accuracies (94.65–105.31%) and recovery (93.76–106.82%) by using optimised methods. In addition, the content of seven ginsenosides in the decoction prepared by the root of 2-year-old, 4-year-old and 6-year-old Panax ginseng was also analysed. The results showed the concentration of ginsenosides detected in Du Shen Tang decoction was affected by the difference in collected times of the root of Panax ginseng. The established method could be used as a rapid and reliable approach for assessment of the quantity of Du Shen Tang decoction.