Objective To establish qualitative and quantitative analysis methods for the chemical constituents of Mori Cortex and Mori Cathayanae Cortex, to systematically characterize and identify their chemical constituents, determine the contents of core differential components, and provide technical support for the quality evaluation of Mori Cortex and the identification of its adulterants.

Methods UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS technology was used to collect the chemical component data of Mori Cortex and Mori Cathayanae Cortex, and the components were identified by combining literature and reference standard information. Using multivariate statistical methods, such as principal component analysis (PCA) and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA), to determine the differential components between the two with the criteria of variable importance in projection (VIP) > 1.0 and P < 0.05. UPLC-QqQ-MS/MS technology was used to determine the content of a specific marker (sanggenon C) in Mori Cathayanae Cortex, and the HPLC-UV method was adopted to determine the content of mulberroside A in Mori Cortex. A comprehensive methodological validation was carried out for the quantitative methods.

Results A total of 34 chemical components were identified from Mori Cortex and Mori Cathayanae Cortex, including 24 flavonoids, 5 stilbenes, 4 coumarins, and 1 other compound. 14 differential components, such as mulberroside A, sanggenon C, and cathayanon A, were screened out. Mulberroside A and sanggenon C showed good linear relationships within the determined concentration range, and the precision, stability, repeatability, and sample recovery all met the requirements of methodological validation. Mulberroside A (0.16%-6.46%) was detected in all 33 batches of Mori Cortex, while no sanggenon C was detected; and sanggenon C (0.09%-0.42%) was detected in all 9 batches of Mori Cathayanae Cortex, while no mulberroside A was detected. The contents of the two constituents showed a highly significant negative correlation.

Conclusion There are significant characteristic differences in chemical components between Mori Cortex and Mori Cathayanae Cortex. Mulberroside A can be used as the core index for the quality control of Mori Cortex, and the establishment of its quality control item can effectively curb the adulteration of Mori Cortex with Mori Cathayanae Cortex. The qualitative and quantitative methods established in this study can provide a scientific basis for the holistic quality evaluation of Mori Cortex and the identification of its adulterants.

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