A novel method for quality evaluation of Radix Angelica sinensis based on molecularly imprinted electrochemical sensor

• Published in: Talanta (Oxford) 2025-02, Vol.283, p.127115, Article 127115
• Main Authors: Wu, Di, Che, Yanyun, Li, Yanping, Suo, Ziqin, Zhang, Jingbo, Zhou, Yunxian, Zeng, Yingying, Wang, Xinyue, Gao, Xuemin, Chen, Qing, Chen, Quancheng
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Angelica sinensis - chemistry; Drugs, Chinese Herbal - analysis; Drugs, Chinese Herbal - chemistry; Electrochemical sensor; Electrochemical Techniques - methods; Electropolymerization; Limit of Detection; Molecular Imprinting; Molecularly imprinted polymers; Molecularly Imprinted Polymers - chemistry; N-butylidenephthalide; Phenylenediamines - chemistry; Phthalic Anhydrides - chemistry; Quality Control; Quality evaluation; Radix Angelica sinensis
• ISSN: 0039-9140; 1873-3573; 1873-3573
• DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2024.127115

Rapid and sensitive detection of n-butylidenephthalide (NBP) is crucial for quality control of Radix Angelica Sinensis (RAS) and its related pharmaceuticals due to their shared pharmacological effects, such as immune enhancement and anti-tumor properties. Current detection methods struggle to quantify NBP quickly and accurately. A molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP)-based electrochemical sensor has been developed, forming a film on PCN-222(Fe) via electropolymerization for the rapid and selective detection of NBP. o-Phenylenediamine (o-PD) was polymerized onto PCN-222(Fe), utilizing its high surface area and porous structure to create a high-performance MIP (MIP/PCN-222(Fe)) sensor. This sensor detects NBP binding at the molecularly imprinted sites through a redox probe, with current changes reflecting the NBP content in the sample. This sensor exhibits a strong affinity for NBP, with a linear detection range from 200 nM to 1 mM, a detection limit of 76 nM, and high specificity towards similar phthalide compounds. Experimental results show that the MIP/PCN-222(Fe) sensor can accurately quantify NBP in real samples, offering a simplified method with promising applications for RAS quality evaluation. [Display omitted] •Sensors adopt one-time electropolymerization for rapid synthesis.•Synthesizing highly selective MIP sensors leveraging the advantages of PCN-222(Fe).•Achieve precise detection of n-butylidenephthalide using the sensor.•This sensor exhibits good selectivity among phthalide analogs.•This method enables rapid evaluation of the authenticity and quality of TCM.