Analysis of bioactive compounds in Gardenia jasminoides from different regions by UFLC/QTRAP-MS and PCA.

Gardenia jasminoides Ellis (GJE) is an important traditional Chinese medicine. While previous studies have examined the individual aspects of GJE quality, comprehensive multicomponent chemical profiling integrated with geographical analysis has not been reported. This study aimed to establish a ultrafast liquid chromatography coupled with triple quadrupole mass spectrometry method combined with principal component analysis (PCA) for the determination of multiple bioactive compounds in GJE, and to investigate quality variations across different regions. Eighteen batches of GJE samples were collected from various regions. The samples were analyzed using ultrafast liquid chromatography coupled with triple quadrupole mass spectrometry in multiple reaction monitoring mode. The method was validated in terms of linearity, precision, recovery, detection and quantification limits, and stability. PCA was used to evaluate regional differences in the composition of the GJE. The developed method enabled the simultaneous determination of 21 target compounds in GJE samples. Significant differences in the composition of the GJE were observed among different regions. The content of total iridoid glycosides ranged from 63.727 to 107.870 mg/g, total flavonoids ranged from 0.597 to 1.412 mg/g, and total phenolic acids ranged from 0.982 to 3.288 mg/g. GJE from Jurong city, Jiangsu province, exhibited higher levels of the target constituents and was selected for subsequent experiments. PCA confirmed significant regional differences in the chemical composition of GJE (P < .05). This study establishes a reliable analytical method for the comprehensive evaluation of GJE quality and regional variation. The findings reveal that geographical origin significantly influences the chemical composition of the GJE. The multicomponent approach provides a more comprehensive quality assessment method than single-marker analysis, offering a practical reference for GJE quality standardization, cultivation site selection, and harvest timing optimization in the traditional Chinese medicine industry.