A rapid and sensitive UHPLC-FT-ICR MS/MS method for identification of chemical constituents in Rhodiola crenulata extract, rat plasma and rat brain after oral administration

• A UHPLC-FT-ICR MS was firstly used to identify chemical constituents for TCMs in vitro and vivo.
• Chemical constituents absorbed in rat plasma and brain were firstly detected by UHPLC-FT-ICR MS/MS method.
• The analytical strategy based on UHPLC-FT-ICR MS/MS could be used to study other TCMs.

A rapid and sensitive UHPLC-FT-ICR MS/MS method was developed for the first time to analyze the extract of Rhodiola crenulata and the constituents absorbed into rat blood and brain after oral administration. Under the optimized conditions, a total of 64 chemical constituents were identified or tentatively characterized in vitro in 30 min, and also 24 and 9 chemical constituents were detected in rat plasma and brain respectively, by comparing the retention time, accurate mass and/or MS/MS data of blank and dosed sample. The results indicated that the developed UHPLC-FT-ICR MS/MS method was suitable for detection and identifying the chemical constituents in Rhodiola crenulata extract, rat plasma and rat brain, and it could be used as a powerful and reliable analytical strategy for rapid identification of chemical constituents in vitro and in vivo for other traditional Chinese herbal medicines (TCMs). Furthermore, the detected chemical constituents in rat brain could be speculated to be the pharmacodynamic substances of Rhodiola crenulata for Alzheimer's disease (AD) and it could also provide useful chemical information for further mass spectrometry imaging and bioactive substances research on Rhodiola crenulata.

UHPLC-FT-ICR MS base peak intensity chromatograms (BPCs) of chemical constituents absorbed in rat plasma and brain (marked with circle) after oral administration of R. crenulata.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide