Analysis on the Constituents of Branches, Berries, and Leaves of <i>Hippophae rhamnoides</i> L. by UHPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS and Their Anti-Inflammatory Activities

Abstract

Sea buckthorn ( Hippophae rhamnoides L.) is a medicinal plant widely distributed in Asia and Europe, containing plentiful bioactive substances. Our research aimed to promote the comprehensive utilization of the branches, leaves, and berries of sea buckthorn. Qualitative analysis of chemical constituents in branches, leaves, and berries of sea buckthorn was conducted by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography accurate mass quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry with electrospray ionization (UHPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS). As a result, the branch, leaf, and berry samples could be clearly separated in principal component analysis scores plot, and 24 significant markers were found to distinguish these parts by partial least squares regression discrimination analysis in Mass Profiler Professional software. Meanwhile, the compositional similarity of sea buckthorn leaves and branches was higher than that of leaves and berries. In addition, the inhibition of nitric oxide (NO) production of different parts in macrophage RAW 264.7 cells was carried out. At the concentration of 10 μg/mL, sea buckthorn extracts showed good anti-inflammatory activities with NO inhibition values from 73% to 98%.