The root of Gentiana straminea Maxim. (Gentianaceae), is officially listed as “Qin-Jiao” in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia for the treatment of rheumatic arthritis, icteric hepatitis, constipation, pain, and hypertension. To establish the geographical origin traceability in G. straminea, its chemical profiles were determined by a UPLC-Q exactive mass spectrometer, from which 43 compounds were identified by comparing retention times and mass spectrometry. Meanwhile, a pair of isomers (loganin and secologanol) was identified by mass spectrometry based on their fragmentation pathway. A total of 42 samples from difference habitats were determined by an UPLC-Q exactive mass spectrometer and the data were assayed with multivariate statistical analysis. Eight characteristic compounds were identified to determine the geographical origin of the herb. To estimate the key characteristic markers associated with pharmacological function, the inhibiting activities of nitric oxide (NO) production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced macrophages were examined. This finding is crucial in realizing the determination of botanical origin and evaluating the quality of G. straminea.

Lamiophlomis rotata (L. rotata) is a Tibetan medicinal herb used for centuries that contains iridoid glycosides (IGs), which are pharmacologically active ingredients and can be used for quality control. The IG profiles of the underground and aerial parts of the plant were determined by UPLC-TOF-MS to evaluate the similarity and variability of the different herbal parts listed in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia. Twenty-six IGs were detected in the total ion current (TIC) profile of L. rotata, and twenty-two of these were identified by comparing the retention times and mass spectra of the compounds to those of authentic standards. Among these compounds, five IGs with the same molecular formula (C₁₇H₂₆O₁₁) were identified for the first time by mass spectrometry based on their different hydroxyl group-substituted positions. The aerial part has a similar chemical profile to that of the roots. The difference between the two parts was determined by multivariate statistical analysis of the UPLC-TOF-MS data of 24 specimens. Sesamoside was explored as the most characteristic marker to distinguish the two parts of L. rotata. To further estimate the distinction between the two parts, the content of total IGs and the antioxidant capacity were investigated in samples from different locations. The aerial parts showed a high content of total IGs and high antioxidant capacity, although not higher than those of the roots. The results also suggest the dosage should be increased when the aerial parts are used as crude medicinal materials instead of the underground parts.

Lamiophlomis rotata (L. rotata), is known as “Daba” in the Tibetan region, Ajuga ovalifolia and Oreosolen wartii have also been utilized as substitutes for “Daba”, however, only L. rotata has been officially listed in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia for hemostasis preparations. To safely apply the traditional uses of the herb, internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) DNA barcodes were employed to discriminate L. rotata from its adulterants. For further evaluation of the quality of different originating habitats, the chemical profiles of 25 samples were determined by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-QTOF-MS) coupled with multivariate analyses. ITS2 DNA barcodes differentiated L. rotata from O. wartii and A. ovalifolia accurately. A neighbor-joining (NJ) tree showed that three origins clustered into three clades. Forty-nine compounds were identified in the total ion current (TIC) profile of L. rotata. Additionally, two pairs of isomers were identified for the first time by using mass spectrometry fragmentation. The differences between the variable habitats were determined by multivariate statistical analysis of the UPLC-QTOF-MS data from 25 specimens. Ten compounds were identified as the characteristic markers distinguishing the sample from four geographical origins. The results also suggest that samples from Qinghai and Sichuan province would be the most suitable choice for traditional prescriptions and preparations.