Systematic Comparison and Distribution Patterns of Bioactive Metabolites in Different Polarity Fractions of Gentiana scabra Bunge Ethanol-Water Extract.

Fractionation is key for enriching bioactive compounds in traditional Chinese medicine, yet systematic studies on chemical differences across polarity-based fractions are limited. This study systematically compared the chemical profiles of four polarity fractions from a Gentiana scabra Bunge ethanol-water extract to elucidate the distribution patterns of its major active constituents. An integrated approach of untargeted LC-MS and quantitative HPLC was employed. The contents of gentiopicroside, isoorientin, and gentisin generally increased with ethanol concentration, with gentisin showing a more favorable elution trend. Notably, isoorientin and gentisin exhibited co-enrichment specifically in the 50% ethanol fraction (GSE50), resulting in its most complex and balanced chemical profile. This work provides the first systematic elucidation of these distribution patterns, establishing a foundation for precision preparation and quality control based on distinct chemical profiles.