Background : To evaluate the quality of Glycyrrhizae radix (licorice), a popular herbal medicine in Korea, it is necessary to investigate the component profiles of the Glycyrrhiza species distributed in Korean market. Specifically, to control the quality of Korean Glycyrrhizae radix preparations including raw materials, glycyrrhizin (> 2.5%) and liquiritigenin (> 0.7%) has been used as a standard marker compound in Korea Food and Drug Administration (KFDA). To the best of our knowledge, there have been only a few studies regarding the fingerprinting techniques and metabolomics approach of the phytochemicals in Glycyrrhizae radix in Korean market. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a validated method for botanical raw material (BRM) standardization.
Methods and Results : Twenty-one Glycyrrhizae radix (G. glabra, G. uralensis, and G. glabra × G. uralensis) were analyzed by UPLC-QTOF-MS and were estimated to statistical and multivariate analysis. Large scale multi-targeted metabolic profiling and fingerprinting techniques were utilized to access a broader insight into the chemical composition of Glycyrrhiza species. The UV/VIS spectra, and MS data (accurate mass and fragmentation pattern in negative mode) of the components in the BRM of G. glabra, G. uralensis, and G. glabra × G. uralensis (incorporation and hybridization) were analyzed with multivariate analyses. Interestingly, UPLC-QTof-MS derived PCA analysis and fingerprinting techniques was found to be effective techniques in the classification of species based on genetic and/or geographical origins. In addition, the revealed metabolite markers could be utilized as a guidance for the BRM standardization as well as a database for quality control of commercial products containing Glycyrrhizae radix.
Conclusion : From the above results, the revealed metabolite markers could be utilized as a guidance for the BRM standardization as well as a database for quality control of commercial products containing Glycyrrhizae radix.