Comprehensive quality evaluation of Qizhi Xiangfu Pills based on Quantitative Analysis of Multi-components by Single Marker combining with GC Fingerprint and Chemometrics.

Abstract

Qizhi Xiangfu Pills (QXPs) is a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) used clinically for Qi stagnation and blood stasis. The current quality control of QXPs in the ministry standards and the reported literature is minimal, and requires to be improved. This study aimed to analyze and determine the active ingredients in QXPs for its overall evaluation. In this study, a quantitative analysis of multi-components by single marker (QAMS) method was established to simultaneously determine the caryophyllene oxide, cyperotundone, ligustilide and α-cyperone in QXPs by GC. Moreover, the GC fingerprints of 22 batches samples were also established, and the common peaks were initially identified by GC-MS, then classified in various dimensions using chemometric methods, and the main markers causing the discrepancies between groups were analyzed by orthogonal partial least squares discrimination analysis (OPLS-DA). Compared with internal standard method (ISM), the determination results obtained by QAMS had no significant difference. 22 common peaks were distinguished in the fingerprint of 22 batches QXPs, 17 of which were identified, and the similarity of the fingerprint was greater than 0.898. The 22 batches of QXPs were roughly divided into 3 categories, and 12 main markers causing the discrepancy were discovered. The established QAMS combined with GC fingerprint and chemometrics method is convenient and feasible, which helps to improve the quality evaluation of QXPs and provides a demonstration for the relative study of compound preparations and single herbs. A quantitative analysis of multi-components by single marker combining with GC fingerprint and chemometrics method was established to evaluation the quality of Qizhi Xiangfu Pills for the first time.