Based on UPLC-QqQ-MS/MS Combined with Multivariate Statistical Analysis and Weighted TOPSIS Method to Evaluate the Quality of Atractylodes Macrocephala Koidz.

OBJECTIVE  In order to ensure the quality and clinical efficacy of Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz. pieces, a systematically evaluation was conducted.

METHODS  The contents of atractylenolide Ⅰ, atractylenolide Ⅱ, atractylenolide Ⅲ, isochlorogenic acid A, 1,3-dicaffeoylquinic acid, isochlorogenic acid C, isochlorogenic acid B, cryptochlorogenic acid, chlorogenic acid and neochlorogenic acid in Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz. were determined by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry(UPLC-QqQ-MS/MS). Multivariate statistical analysis was used to investigate the effects of origin, growing years and processing methods on the appearance and the contents of active ingredient in Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz.. The quality evaluation model of Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz. was constructed by the method of entropy weight TOPSIS. Then the effects of different influencing factors on the quality of Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz. pieces were investigated.

RESULTS  The content determination method of active ingredients in Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz. was established in this study which was stable and feasible. Through the analysis of the content of active ingredients in Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz., it was found that the origin had a significant effect on sesquiterpene lactones and phenolic acids. It was higher in the origin of Zhejiang. The growth years also had a significant effect on the content of sesquiterpene lactones and phenolic acids. It was higher in the perennial Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz. pieces. Cutting and drying method also had significant effect on the content of sesquiterpene lactones and phenolic acids. Although the content of active ingredients differed among various sources of Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz., bran stir-frying could converge their levels. Finally, the entropy weight TOPSIS analysis also confirmed that the quality of Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz. pieces which was higher in origin of Zhejiang, perennial, processing by softening cutting and oven drying.

CONCLUSION  The research method was established in this study, which could be used to evaluate the quality of Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz..