Quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry as a powerful tool for demystifying traditional Chinese medicine

•Principles and strategies for identification of unknowns using Q-TOF-MS.•Q-TOF-MS-based metabolomics approach to quality control of TCM in detail.•Q-TOF-MS-based metabolomics research for disclosing the intervention mechanism of TCM.•Q-TOF-MS-based metabolomics research for disclosing the toxicity mechanism of TCM.

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been effective in prevention and treatment of chronic diseases in a synergic manner with mild healing effects and lower side effects than Western medicines. Researchers have made great efforts to explore the real theory of TCM for many years with different strategies. With the rapid advances in instrumentation in chromatography and mass spectrometry, more scientific outcomes have been achieved for disclosing the mysteries of TCM. In this article, we review the achievements of quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry in TCM analysis, including profiling active ingredients and their metabolites, screening harmful components, and applying cutting-edge metabolomics strategies.