Novel insight into qualitative standardization of Polygoni avicularis herba (Ph. Eur.)

Polygonum aviculare L. (Common Knotrgrass) (Polygonaceae Juss.) is an annual from which pharmacopoeial (Ph. Eur.) plant material Polygoni avicularis herba is obtained. Although its main active constituents are flavonoids and its standardization is based on their total content, no profound qualitative analysis has been performed, yet. The use of hyphenated analytical methods: UHPLC–DAD coupled with ion trap or time of flight mass detectors together with acidic hydrolysis products analysis allowed for a comprehensive determination of flavonoid composition. Among dominating compounds, myricetin, kaempferol, isorhamnetin and kaempferide glucuronides, which were not previously reported in P. avicularis herba, were discovered. The developed method can be used as a suitable tool for a more insightful, metabolome-based standardization of flavonoid rich pharmacopoeial plant material – P. avicularis herba.