Immobilized magnetic beads based multi-target affinity selection coupled with high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry for screening anti-diabetic compounds from a Chinese medicine “Tang-Zhi-Qing”

► A multi-target affinity selection-mass spectrometry approach was established. ► Screen anti-diabetic compounds from formula Tang-Zhi-Qing using the approach. ► Screening parameters were optimized using three model inhibitors. ► Five anti-diabetic compounds were identified. ► Three of them were identified for the first time.