JIANG Hui,LIU Wei,CHENG Xuemei,et al.Development and application of an UHPLC‑ELSD method for analysis of saponins in Astragali Radix[J].Shanghai Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine,2026,60(1):64-72.
JIANG Hui,LIU Wei,CHENG Xuemei,et al.Development and application of an UHPLC‑ELSD method for analysis of saponins in Astragali Radix[J].Shanghai Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine,2026,60(1):64-72. DOI: 10.16305/j.1007-1334.2025.z20250905005.
Development and application of an UHPLC‑ELSD method for analysis of saponins in Astragali Radix
To establish a simple, rapid and practical quantitative analysis method for multiple astragalosides, including astragaloside Ⅰ (ASⅠ), isoastragaloside Ⅰ (Iso-ASⅠ), astragaloside Ⅱ(ASⅡ), isoastragaloside Ⅱ (Iso-ASⅡ), astragaloside Ⅲ (ASⅢ), astragaloside Ⅳ (ASⅣ) and cycloastragenol (CA) in Astragali Radix and to lay a foundation for improving the quality standard of Astragali Radix.
Method
2
The sample pretreatment method was optimized through single-factor experiments and response surface methodology (Box-Behnken design), focusing on three key parameters: extraction time, extraction solvent, and solid-to-liquid ratio. Quantitative analysis of astragalosides in Astragali Radix was performed using ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with an evaporative light scattering detector (UHPLC-ELSD). The chromatographic separation was achieved on a Waters HSS T3 column (2.1 mm × 100 mm, 1.7 μm) using a mobile phase consisting of A (0.1% formic acid aqueous solution) and B (acetonitrile) and eluted at a flow rate of 0.3 mL/min by the following gradient program: 0-1 min, 28% B to 35% B; 1-6 min, 35% B to 35% B; 6-13 min, 35% B to 48% B; 13-17 min, 48% B to 48% B. The injection volume was 8 μL, and the column temperature was maintained at 30 ℃. The evaporator temperature and nebulizer temperature were set at 60 ℃ and 70 ℃ respectively with a gas flow rate of 1.6 SLM.
Results
2
The optimal sample pretreatment conditions were determined as follows: 2 h of heated reflux extraction using 70% methanol as the solvent and a solid-to-liquid ratio of 1∶60. The established quantitative method demonstrated excellent specificity. The precision validation showed
RSD
values ranging from 0.30% to 2.89%, and the recover
y rates ranged from 95.65% to 105.18%. The
RSDs
for repeatability and 48-hour sample stability were within 2.92% and 2.83%, respectively (no repeatability or stability data were available for CA in Astragali Radix samples due to its content being below the detection limit). All validation results complied with acceptance criteria for quantitative analysis. Quantitative results revealed significant positive correlations among astragalosides, and their contents were related to geographical origin and growth years. The content of astragalosides followed the order: ASⅠ
>
ASⅡ
>
Iso-ASⅠ ≥ ASⅣ
>
Iso-ASⅡ
>
ASⅢ, with the level of CA below the detection limit.
Conclusions
2
A simple, rapid, efficient, and well-separated quantitative method is established, enabling accurate and simultaneous determination of multiple astragalosides. This approach provides a foundation for selecting quality markers among astragalosides and establishing scientific quality standards for Astragali Radix.
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Analysis of rationality of quality control for astragaloside Ⅰ based on pharmacokinetic characteristics of Astragalus saponins
Research progress on biosynthesis, in vivo and in vitro transformation, pharmacological effects, and quality control of astragalus saponins components
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Related Author
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Related Institution
Institute of Liver Diseases, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine
Key Laboratory of Liver and Kidney Diseases (Ministry of Education)/Shanghai Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine
Department of Pharmacy, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine/The SATCM Third Grade Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Preparations
Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine Research, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine/Shanghai Chemical Biology of Frontier Base of Traditional Chinese Medicine
Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, The MOE Key Laboratory of Standardization of Chinese Medicines