Steroidal glycosides from the leaves of Ruscus colchicus: Isolation and structural elucidation based on a preliminary liquid chromatography−electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry profiling

An HPLC-ESIMSn method, based on high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to electrospray positive ionisation multistage ion trap mass spectrometry has been used as an effective tool to rapidly identify and guide the isolation of target saponins from the ethanol extract of the leaves of Ruscus colchicus. Sixteen steroidal glycosides, including thirteen furostanol, two spirostanol and one cholestane glycosides, were identified along with four known furostanol and two spirostanol glycosides.