A Comprehensive LC-DAD-QTOF-MS Method for Dereplication of Bioactive Compounds in Senna Extracts

Abstract

A reversed-phase analytical method was developed and validated by using a combination of high-performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection and ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry systems to dereplicate 46 compounds in samples prepared by mixing extracts from various organs of different Senna species, Fabaceae. The pre-treatment of the sample by solid phase extraction was also investigated. The results obtained showed that the clean-up of the plant extract produces relevant changes in its chemical profile, resulting in false fingerprints. The efficiency of the method was applying to compare the chemical profile of the extracts of seven different Senna species: S. cearensis Afr. Fern, S. macranthera (Collad.) H.S.Irwin & Bameby, S. obtusffolia (L.) H.S.Irwin & Bameby, S. reticulata (Willd.) H.S.Irwin & Barneby, S. spectabilis var. excelsa (DC.) H.S.Irwin & Barneby, S. splendida (Vogel) H.S.Irwin & Barneby, and S. trachypus (Benth.) H.S.Irwin & Barneby. These results suggest that the comprehensive developed method can be applied to the study and dereplication of the chemical composition of other Senna species, preferentially without clean-up of the samples.