UPLC Coupled with a Post-column Derivatization Approach for Identification of Bioactive Compounds in Huanglian Jiedu Decoction

A UPLC coupled with post-column derivatization (PCD) and diode array detector (DAD) collecting biochemical reaction signal analysis technique (UPLC–PDC–DAD) was developed and applied to screen acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors, 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl and 2,2ʹ-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) free radical scavengers in Huanglian Jiedu decoction (HLJDD) and its constituent herbs; The main active ingredients in the HLJDD were identified by UPLC–linear ion trap/orbitrap mass spectrometry; The twenty peaks showing obvious free radicals scavenging activity were mainly derived from Coptidis Rhizoma, Scutellariae Radix and Phellodendri Cortex in HLJDD. The five peaks in Coptidis Rhizoma and Phellodendri Cortex exhibiting strong AChE inhibition activity were identified as coptisine, epiberberine, jatrorrhizine, berberine and palmatine, respectively. Jatrorrhizine was found to possess radical scavenging and AchE inhibiting activities; The proposed UPLC–PCD–DAD method could identify rapidly and efficiently the different bioactivities of multiple components in complex matrixes and reveal the different mechanisms of the components in the treatment of some diseases.