Study on the identification of Pinelliae rhizoma and Pinelliae pedatisectae rhizoma based on the characteristic component triglochinic acid

Abstract

For the first time, a monomeric compound, triglochinic acid, has been isolated from the tubers of Pinellia pedatisecta Schott with its structure analyzed using NMR. Its molecular formula is C₇H₈O₆, with the chemical name (2E)-but-2-ene-1,2,4-tricarboxylic acid. Through HPLC-DAD and HPLC-MS analysis studies, it has concluded that Pinelliae rhizoma does not contain triglochinic acid, while Pinelliae pedatisectae rhizoma does. This key observation was used as a characteristic component to distinguish these two herbs. We analyzed 39 batches of Pinelliae rhizoma collected in herbal medicine market, among which triglochinic acid was detected in 27 batches, resulting in a adulteration ratio of Pinelliae rhizoma reaching 69.2%. Our method demonstrates great potential for authenticating the products, thus ensuring the quality of Pinelliae rhizoma.