EGFR/cell membrane chromatography-online-high performance liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry method for screening EGFR antagonists from Radix Angelicae Pubescentis

The intracellular kinase domains of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in some tumor cells are significant targets for drug discovery. We have developed a new EGFR cell membrane chromatography (EGFR/CMC)-online-high performance liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (HPLC/MS) method for screening anti-EGFR antagonists from medicinal herbs such as Radix Angelicae Pubescentis. In this study, the HEK293 EGFR cells with high expression of EGFR were used to prepare cell membrane stationary phase (CMSP) in the EGFR/CMC model. The retention fractions on the EGFR/CMC model were directly analyzed by combining a 10 port columns switcher with a HPLC/MS system online. As a result, osthole from Radix Angelicae Pubescentis was found to be the active component acting on EGFR like dasatinib as the control drug. There was a good relationship between their inhibiting effects on EGFR secretion and HEK293 EGFR cell growth in vitro. This new EGFR/CMC-online-HPLC/MS method can be applied for screening anti-EGFR antagonists from TCMs, for instance, Radix Angelicae Pubescentis. It will be a useful method for drug discovery with natural medicinal herbs as a leading compound resource.