Characterization of thirty-nine polymethoxylated flavonoids (PMFs) in the branches of Murraya paniculata by HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS/MS

AimTo investigate the polymethoxylated flavonoids (PMFs) in the branches of Murraya paniculata (L.) Jack.MethodsA sensitive HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS/MS method was established to screen PMFs in the branches of M. paniculata based on the analysis of six PMF standards in the positive mode by CID-MS/MS.ResultsThe diagnostic fragmentation pathways for polymethoxylated flavones, polymethoxylated flavanones, polymethoxylated chalcones and PMF glycosides were summarized, respectively. According to the MS fragmentation pathways, 39 PMFs, including 24 flavones, 10 flavanones or chalcones and 5 PMFs glycosides were screened.ConclusionThe results indicated that the developed analytical method could be employed as a rapid, effective technique for the chemical screening of PMFs in TCMs extracts.