LC-MS profiling of Kanchnar Guggulu - A polyherbal Ayurvedic formulation using two solvent systems

Abstract

Kanchnar Guggulu is an Ayurvedic Polyherbal Formulation made up of 12 ingredients. Liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometric detection is a powerful analytical technique for separating, identifying, and quantifying various analytes within a mixture. Objective: This study aims to characterise the phytochemical composition of Kanchnar Guggulu using two different solvent systems: (100% Water + 0.1 % Formic acid) and (100 % Acetonitrile + 0.1 % Formic acid). Materials and Methods: Samples obtained from a GMP-certified pharmacy underwent solid-liquid extraction employing two distinct solvents, followed by LC-MS analysis. Results: Analysis revealed the presence of 1976 & 859 phytochemical compounds in the (100% Water + 0.1 % Formic acid) and (100 % Acetonitrile + 0.1 % Formic acid) extracts, respectively.  Notably, 696 phytochemicals were common in both extracts, likely due to slight differences in solvent polarity. Among Total Compounds from polar solvent, 17.68% Steroids,15.24 % Terpenoids, 15.8 % Alkaloids, 9.75 % Phenolic compounds, 6.7 % Hormones, 4.8 % Flavonoids, 3.65 %  Lactones, 3.65 % Carboxyllic acid & Derivatives,3.4 % Esters & Lactones, 2.43 % Organic acid,2.43 % Nitrogen-Containing Compounds,1.82 % Carbohydrates & Sugar derivatives, 0.6 % Saponins were found. And among Total compounds from Nonpolar solvent 14.81% Alkaloids, 14.81 % Terpenoids, 11.11% Esters,12.96 % Fatty acid & derivative,7.4 % Steroidal compounds,7.4 % Hydrazones, 5.55 % Cinnamic acid derivative, 3.7 % Lactones, 3.7 % Quinones, 3.7 % Piperazine derivatives and 1.85 % Acridines were found. Conclusion: 2291 unique phytochemical constituents were identified in the two solvent extracts of the same sample, highlighting the significance of solvent selection in phytochemical profiling studies.