LC/TIS-MS fingerprint profiling of Cimicifuga species and analysis of 23-Epi-26-deoxyactein in Cimicifuga racemosa commercial products

In this study, a liquid chromatography (LC)/turbo ion spray (TIS)-mass spectrometry (MS) method was developed to examine the chromatography or "fingerprint profile" of seven Cimicifuga herbs and six Cimicifuga racemosa (black cohosh) commercial products. Triterpene glycoside components were selected as chemical markers for analysis because they have appeared as a major compound group in Cimicifuga species. LC/MS chromatograms unveiled the patterns of C. racemosa, Cimicifuga dahurica, Cimicifuga foetida, Cimicifuga heracleifolia, Cimicifuga japonica, Cimicifuga acerina, and Cimicifuga simplex, which are very different from each other. 23-Epi-26-deoxyactein was found only in C. racemosa, C. dahurica, and C. foetida. A highly selective and sensitive LC/MS/MS method for quantitative analysis of 23-epi-26-deoxyactein with detection levels up to 2.5 ng in these samples was also developed and was applied to six commercial C. racemosa products. C. racemosa and its six commercial products contained about 6-15% of 23-epi-26-deoxyactein in total triterpene glycosides. On the other hand, the estimated amount of total triterpene glycosides in other commercial products was either greater or lesser than what the manufacturers claimed. The technique and LC/MS profiles generated in this study provide a reliable and reproducible method that can be readily utilized for botanical identification of Cimicifuga plants, for examination and validation of its commercial products, and for "chemical" quality control in the manufacture of black cohosh products.