[High-performance liquid chromatography combined with mass spectrum analysis for chromatographic fingerprinting of compound dandelion enema].

Objective: To identify the active components of compound dandelion enema, a preparation from 7 traditional Chinese herbal drugs for treatment of gynecological diseases.
Methods: Three-dimensional high-performance liquid chromatography (3D-HPLC) was employed to separate the ethyl acetate extract of compound dandelion Enema, and HPLC combined with mass spectrum (MS) analysis used for chromatographic fingerprinting.
Result: By comparing the ionic fragments of MS and retention time of each peak, the main active components in compound dandelion enema were determined, including caffeic acid, ferulic acid and protocatechualdehyde.
Conclusion: HPLC coupled with mass spectroscopy can be used for qualitative analysis of compound dandelion enema.