# Comprehensive and Rapid Chemical Profiling of Cirsium japonicum DC Utilizing UHPLC‐Q‐Orbitrap MS With Parallel Reaction Monitoring

## TL;DR

This study provides a detailed chemical analysis of Cirsium japonicum, identifying 94 compounds that could help understand its medicinal properties and improve quality control.

## Contribution

The study introduces a comprehensive and rapid chemical profiling method for Cirsium japonicum using advanced mass spectrometry techniques.

## Key findings

- A total of 94 compounds were identified, including 57 organic acids, 25 flavonoids, and 3 phenylpropanoids.
- Chlorogenic acid was found to dominate the organic acid fraction, which may contribute to hemostatic effects.
- The identified compounds can serve as potential biomarkers for standardizing and controlling the quality of C. japonicum medicinal products.

## Abstract

Cirsium japonicum, a traditional medicinal plant, has been widely used for its therapeutic properties in treating various ailments. However, a comprehensive analysis of its chemical composition remains limited, hindering a full understanding of its chemical basis and pharmacological activities. This study aims to identify and characterize the chemical constituents of C. japonicum using ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole‐Orbitrap mass spectrometry (UHPLC‐Q‐Exactive Orbitrap MS) and parallel reaction monitoring (PRM). A total of 94 compounds were identified, including 57 organic acids, 25 flavonoids, 3 phenylpropanoids, and 9 other components, with chlorogenic acid dominating the organic acid fraction. Organic acids and caffeic acid, among organic acid compounds, exhibit hemostatic effects based on prior evidence. The UHPLC‐Q‐Exactive Orbitrap MS‐based approach provided a detailed chemical profile of C. japonicum, which could facilitate a deeper understanding of its medicinal properties and guide future pharmacological studies. The identified compounds can be used as potential biomarkers for the standardization and quality control of medicinal products of C. japonicum.