Chemical Constituent Changes in Four Processing Procedures of Herbal Ephedra Based on UPLC-Q TOF MS^E and Mirror Image Contrast Analysis

UPLC-Q TOF MS^E technology was applied to rapidly acquire data of complicated nonvolatile chemical compositions for Herbal Ephedra (EP) and its various processed products. The variation of alkaloid, flavonoid, olefin, organic acid in non-volatile chemical compositions were compared and analyzed. The present study provided a basis for the modern research on Herbal Ephedra processing from the viewpoint of chemical component change. Time-dependent data scan mode (MS^E) was used to acquire high accuracy data and quickly identify main compositions of Herbal Ephedra and its processed product. Coupled with mirror image contrast analysis, the change trends of chemical components influenced by various processing procedures were obtained. Compared to crude EP, a total 4 classifications (alkaloids, flavonoids, olefins, and organic acids), 21 kinds of nonvolatile chemical components have changed. Among them, alkaloids were almost decreased, especially in wine and charcoal processed products were the least. However, flavonoids, olefins, and organic acids obviously ascended after stir-baked by honey while declined in other processed products. There were significant changes of chemical components between Herbal Ephedra and it processed products, and their therapeutic material basis and the efficacy of processed products may change. So it should be treated differently in clinic application.