OBJECTIVE To identify the chemical constituents of Xuanyunning by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS.

METHODS Waters ACQUITY UPLC BEH C₁₈ column(2.1 mm×100 mm, 1.7 μm) was employed for chromatographic separation with mobile phase of 0.1% formic acid solution(A)-0.1% formic acid-acetonitrile(B) for gradient elution, the flow rate was 0.50 mL·min⁻¹, column temperature was 40 ℃. Electrospray ionization(ESI), positive and negative ion detection modes and mass scanning range of 50~1500 Da were selected for mass spectrometry. Combining self-built database, MassLynx V4.1 and UNIFI software, and referring to the literature information, the chemical components of Xuanyunning were identified.

RESULTS A total of 121 components were identified in Xuanyunning, including terpenoids, flavonoids, phenylpropanoids, volatile oils, steroids and so on, of which 46 were in positive ion mode and 75 were in negative ion mode.

CONCLUSION UPLC-Q-TOF-MS technique can be used to rapidly and sensitively identify the components of traditional Chinese medicine, and qualitative analysis of the main components of Xuanyunning can be conducted by using this technique, which provides a basis for the research of its pharmacodynamic material basis and the establishment of quality control standards.