Multiple wavelengths maximization fusion fingerprint profiling for quality evaluation of compound liquorice tablets and related antioxidant activity analysis

A rapid evaluation method for the quality consistency assessment and spectrum-effect relationship study of Xiaohuoluo Pills developed based on combined spectral and chromatography technology

To ensure the effectiveness of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and drive the advancement of high-quality Chinese medicine, the establishment of a scientifically sound quality evaluation system is particularly important. The objective of this study was to develop a straightforward and practical comprehensive evaluation method for quality control of Xiaohuoluo Pills (XHLP) by employing diverse fingerprint technologies. Firstly, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy fingerprint (FT-IRFP), ultraviolet spectral fingerprint (UVFP) and fusion fingerprints based on five-wavelength matched average fusion fingerprint (FWFFP) were established for 21 samples. Secondly, the Comprehensive Quantified Ratio Fingerprinting Method (CQRFM) was used to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the fingerprint profiles of 21 batches of samples and the results showed that all samples met the quality requirements. Then to further evaluate the samples, the External Standard Method (ESM) was employed to measure the content of three indicator components in XHLP, and this was done with the intention of enhancing the quality control system of the samples. Furthermore, antioxidant activity was also measured, and a model for analyzing the relationship between antioxidant data and fingerprint information from the three spectra was established using Orthogonal Projection to Latent Structures (OPLS), resulting in an accurate spectral efficacy relationship diagram. In conclusion, this study utilized spectral and chromatography techniques to comprehensively assess the quality of XHLP, incorporating qualitative and quantitative aspects. Additionally, a correlation between spectral profiles and efficacy was established by evaluating the antioxidant capacity of the samples. This method offers valuable insights for quality control not only of XHLP but also for other TCM.

Spectrum-Effect Relationships as an Effective Approach for Quality Control of Natural Products: A Review

As natural products with biological activity, the quality of traditional Chinese medicines (TCM) is the key to their clinical application. Fingerprints based on the types and contents of chemical components in TCM are an internationally recognized quality evaluation method but ignore the correlation between chemical components and efficacy. Through chemometric methods, the fingerprints represented by the chemical components of TCM were correlated with its pharmacodynamic activity results to obtain the spectrum-effect relationships of TCM, which can reveal the pharmacodynamic components information related to the pharmacodynamic activity and solve the limitations of segmentation of chemical components and pharmacodynamic research in TCM. In the 20th anniversary of the proposed spectrum-effect relationships, this paper reviews its research progress in the field of TCM, including the establishment of fingerprints, pharmacodynamic evaluation methods, chemometric methods and their practical applications in the field of TCM. Furthermore, the new strategy of spectrum-effect relationships research in recent years was also discussed, and the application prospects of this technology were discussed.

Holistically assessing the quality consistency of compound liquorice tablets from similarities of both all chemical fingerprints and the integrated dissolution curves by systematically quantified fingerprint method

In recent years, traditional analytical methods have failed to meet the widespread use of multi-component Chinese pharmaceutical formulations. To solve this problem, this study proposed a comprehensive analytical strategy using compound liquorice tablets (CLTs) as an example, both in terms of chemical quality and dissolution curve consistency. Firstly, the peak purity of the two wavelengths was checked using dual-wavelength absorbance coefficient ratio spectra (DARS) to avoid the fingerprint bias caused by peak purity. Secondly, liquid-phase dual-wavelength tandem fingerprint (DWTF) of 38 batches of CLTs was established for the first time. The two analytical methods were also evaluated using the systematically quantified fingerprint method (SQFM), and the 38 batches of samples were classified into two grades with good quality consistency. Quantitative analysis of the five markers of CLTs was performed simultaneously using the standard curve method (SCM) and the quantitative analysis of multiple components by single marker (QAMS). The results showed no significant differences between the two analytical methods (p > 0.5). In addition, the in vitro dissolution of CLTs in two media (pure water and pH = 4.5 medium) was determined by the total UV fingerprint dissolution assay. The similarity of the dissolution curves was also analyzed by combining the f₂ factor and the dissolution-systematically quantified fingerprint method (DSQFM). The result showed that most of the samples had f₂ > 50 and P_m satisfied the range of 70-130%. Finally, a principal component analysis (PCA) model was developed to combine the evaluation parameters of chemical fingerprint and dissolution curves for comprehensive analysis of the samples. In this study, a chromatographic and dissolution-based quality analysis method was proposed, which effectively overcomes the shortcomings of previous analytical methods and provides a scientific analytical method for the quality control of natural drugs.

Quality control of Hugan capsule based on four-wavelength fusion profiling and electrochemical fingerprint combined with antioxidant activity and chemometric analysis

Improving the quality standard system of herbal preparations (HPs) is an arduous task for the development of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). At present, an urgent task is to establish a comprehensive, scientific and effective evaluation method for improving the safety, effectiveness and quality consistency of HPs. In this study, Hu Gan capsules (HGCs) were used as an example. Firstly, the three quality markers (Q-markers) in 21 batches of HGCs from 4 manufacturers were determined by HPLC and great difference in content of each sample was found. Furthermore, four-wavelength fusion profiling (FWFP) was established and evaluated by systematically quantified fingerprint method (SQFM). Principal component analysis (PCA) was employed to make a preliminary analysis of the FWFP and distinguish the fluctuation of differences in chemical composition and content. Then, 9 characteristic parameters were recorded through the B-Z oscillating system, and the electrochemical fingerprint (ECFP) was constructed for jointing evaluation with the FWFP, using the equal weight of SQFM results to comprehensively evaluate the sample quality. The 21 batches of samples were divided into four groups and six grades, which indicated that there were significant differences in the content of indicator components and electrochemical active substances in samples. Finally, taking vitamin C as a positive control, 2, 2'-azino-bis (3 - ethyl -benzthiazoline - 6 - sulfonic acid) (ABTS) scavenging assay was applied to study the antioxidant activity of samples. Partial Least Squares (PLS) and bivariate correlation analysis (BCA) were used to analyze the fingerprint-efficacy relationships of FWFP-ABTS and FWFP-ECFP. Consequently, it was found that there were similar antioxidant capacities in electrochemistry and ABTS tests, and 31 of the 40 HPLC fingerprint peaks of HGCs were discovered to have antioxidant activity. The two methods supported each other, to effectively and corporately reflect the antioxidant components in HGCs. In this research, the FWFP and ECFP established could realize the quality detection of HGCs, and provide a novel direction for the improvement of the quality standard of HPs and the research of the quality standard method of TCM.

Quality assessment of traditional Chinese medicine based on data fusion combined with machine learning: A review

The authenticity and quality of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) directly impact clinical efficacy and safety. Quality assessment of traditional Chinese medicine (QATCM) is a global concern due to increased demand and shortage of resources. Recently, modern analytical technologies have been extensively investigated and utilized to analyze the chemical composition of TCM. However, a single analytical technique has some limitations, and judging the quality of TCM only from the characteristics of the components is not enough to reflect the overall view of TCM. Thus, the development of multi-source information fusion technology and machine learning (ML) has further improved QATCM. Data information from different analytical instruments can better understand the connection between herbal samples from multiple aspects. This review focuses on the use of data fusion (DF) and ML in QATCM, including chromatography, spectroscopy, and other electronic sensors. The common data structures and DF strategies are introduced, followed by ML methods, including fast-growing deep learning. Finally, DF strategies combined with ML methods are discussed and illustrated for research on applications such as source identification, species identification, and content prediction in TCM. This review demonstrates the validity and accuracy of QATCM-based DF and ML strategies and provides a reference for developing and applying QATCM methods.

Compound synthesizing profiling based on quantitative HPLC fingerprints combined with antioxidant activity analysis for Zhizi Jinhua pills

BACKGROUND

Compound drug Zhizi Jinhua Pills (ZZJHP) is composed of 8 herbal medicines (HMs), and it is necessary to control the HMs to ensure its holistic quality.

PURPOSE

To establish a quality monitoring method for ZZJHP from precise control of multiple active ingredients to contour control of fingerprint, to calculate the contribution of HMs and predict the quality of compound drugs.

METHODS

In this study, HPLC method was established for content determination of 11 analytes and fingerprint assessment. In vivo and in vitro studies of antioxidant activity were performed, Orthogonal Partial Least Squares analysis was applied for spectrum-effect correlation between antioxidant activity and HPLC fingerprint. The compound synthesizing fingerprint (CSF) of ZZJHP was fitted with 8 HMs, and the contribution of the single herb to prescription was evaluated by Sub-quantified profiling method.

RESULTS

The content of 11 analytes and fingerprints of ZZJHP were measured simultaneously, 32 batches of samples were divided into 6 grades. In vivo and in vitro researches suggested significant antioxidant activity capacity of ZZJHP. Then, spectrum-effect relationship study showed that 24 of the 30 fingerprint peaks had antioxidant activity. By prescription and decomposition profiling, the qualitative and quantitative contributions of the 8 herbs were revealed in turn. The negative solution experiment proved that CSF could accurately predict the quality of composite drugs.

CONCLUSION

The intelligent prediction strategy could intervene at the source to realize rapid screening of HMs and prediction of the quality of preparations, which could provide guidance for the use of HMs and improve the quality of composite drugs.

Electrochemical-based quantitative fingerprint evaluation strategy combined with multi-markers assay by monolinear method for quality control of herbal medicine

BACKGROUND

Improving the quality control (QC) criterion of herbal medicine (HM) is an ongoing challenge. A rapid and convenient electrochemical analysis technique is now emerging as a promising application for HM QC. So far, extraction and analysis of the overall electroactive components is a key issue need to be solved to improve its application in integral HM QC.

PURPOSE

In this work, using compound liquorice tablets (CLQTs) as an example, we like to put forward a more reliable and accurate quantification method of multi-components for the precise QC of HM. Furthermore, we propose an electrochemical fingerprint-based data mining, extract and synthesis strategy for in-depth and comprehensive QC of HM, qualitatively and quantitatively.

METHODS AND DESIGN

Firstly, the electrochemical quantitative fingerprint of 54 batches of CLQTs from nine manufacturers were developed using B-Z oscillatory system. Secondly, eight characteristic parameters were recorded and compared among samples using intuitive information and PCA. Then, t_und was used to establish the correlation with sample dosage for determination of the relative content of overall electroactive components (Rc). The quantitative determination of five quality markers (Q-markers) were also performed using the novel method, called multi-markers assay by monolinear method (MAML). Finally, after using area integral calculus for electrochemical fingerprint, average linear quantitative fingerprint method (ALQFM) was successfully proposed to extract all latent characteristics for integral quality evaluation of samples.

RESULTS

The t_und and dosage showed a good correlation, by which the obtained Rc displayed different fluctuation among nine manufacturers. Moreover, the contents of five Q-markers obtained by MAML displayed no significant difference with the traditional quantification method. Samples evaluated by ALQFM manifested the integral information and were divided into eight quality grades. The deduced results of correlation between P_l with P_5C, Rc and P_A were more persuasive for demonstrating the reliability and integrity of ALQFM in quality evaluation of HM electrochemical fingerprint.

CONCLUSION

The study confirmed the idea that quantification of Q-markers combined electrochemical-based quality evaluation strategy could be used as a reliable method for HM QC qualitatively and quantitatively from point (precise) to face (integral).

Quality Evaluation of Traditional Chinese Medicine Prescription in Naolingsu Capsule Based on Combinative Method of Fingerprint, Quantitative Determination, and Chemometrics

BACKGROUND

Naolingsu capsule (NLSC) is a well-known traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) prescription in China. It is widely used to treat neurasthenia, insomnia, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease, and other diseases. However, its inalienable chemical groups have not been carried out.

METHODS

We first established the nontargeted investigation based on fingerprinting coupled with UHPLC-Q/TOF-MS/MS. Second, the quantitative methods based on HPLC-DAD and LC-MS/MS were connected to the synchronous quantitative assurance of eleven and fourteen marker compounds. Finally, the quantitative information was processed with SIMCA-P for differentiating the distinctive bunches of samples to screen the foremost appropriate chemical markers.

RESULTS

The similarity of HPLC fingerprints of 24 batches of NLSC samples was 0.645-0.992. In total, 37 flavonoids, 21 organic acids, 22 lignans, 13 saponins, and 20 other compounds were recognized in NLSC by the UHPLC-Q/TOF-MS/MS method. The quantitative determination was approved for linearity, discovery limits, accuracy, repeatability, soundness, and precision. Principal component analysis (PCA) and partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) models accomplished the great classification of the samples from the five enterprises, respectively. Rehmannioside D (RD), methylophiopogonanone A (MPA), 3,6'-disinapoyl sucrose (DS), schisandrin B (SSB), epimedin C (EC), icariin (ICA), and jujuboside B (JB) were considered as the potential chemical markers for NLSC quality control.

CONCLUSION

The experimental results illustrated that the combinative strategy was valuable for quick pharmaceutical quality assessment, which can potentially differentiate the origin, decide the realness, and assess the overall quality of the formulation.

Multivariate Statistical Analysis Uncovers Spectrum–Effect Relationship between HPLC Fingerprints and Antioxidant Activity of Saffron

Crocus sativus L. is commonly used as functional food and medicinal herb in traditional Chinese medicine. In this study, the spectrum–effect relationship was established between HPLC fingerprints and in vitro antioxidant activity of saffron to improve the quality evaluation method of saffron. The fingerprints of 21 batches of saffron collected from different regions were assessed, and the data were further analyzed by chemometric methods, including similarity analysis, hierarchical clustering analysis, principal component analysis, and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis. The spectrum–effect relationship between fingerprints and antioxidant effect of saffron was analyzed by grey relational analysis and partial least square methods to figure out the antioxidant component of saffron. Thirteen common peaks of 21 batches of saffron were included in the analysis, and peak 3 (picrocrocin), peak 7 (crocin I), and peak 10 (crocin II) were identified as the main active components responsible for antioxidant efficacy. Besides, a multi-index quality control method was developed for simultaneous determination of these three antioxidant components in saffron. Taken together, this study provided new strategies for the quality control and the development of new bioactive products of saffron in the future.

A smart spectral analysis strategy-based UV and FT-IR spectroscopy fingerprint: Application to quality evaluation of compound liquorice tablets

This study focuses on development of a smart spectral analysis strategy for rapid quality evaluation of complex sample. Firstly, the ultraviolet (UV) and Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy were established. Secondly, the second derivative UV spectral was obtained and showed 7 major absorption peaks, which was the projection of the 3D-spectrum profile. It can perform peak matching like chromatogram, thus, helpful for 3D UV spectrum analysis, qualitatively and quantitatively. The qualitative and quantitative similarity results based on systematic quantified fingerprint method displayed basically a consistency with their hierarchical cluster analysis results. Notably, the quality evaluation of the first proposed FT-IR spectral quantized fingerprints and the good correlation of P_m% with PA (R² = 0.80296), as well as the excellent quantitative prediction model for liquiritin, glycyrrhizinic acid and sodium benzoate all indicated the promising of FT-IR spectral quantized fingerprint in quantitative analysis and QC of compound liquorice tablets. Finally, an integrated evaluate strategy was developed by mean algorithm to reduce the error caused by single technique. 54 samples integrally had a good quality consistency as their quality ranged grade 1-5. This study illustrated that the smart data analysis strategy based on spectral fingerprint has potential to enhance existing methodologies for further rapid and integrated studies evaluating the quality of herbal medicine and its related products.

Isolation, structural characterization and anti-oxidant activity of a novel polysaccharide from garlic bolt

Allium sativum L. is a widely distributed plant used as a spice, vegetable and medicine. In this study, one novel water-soluble polysaccharide (GBP-1a), with a molecular weight of 15.0 kDa, was isolated from the scape of A. sativum (garlic bolt). GBP-1a consists of galactose, glucose and arabinose at a ratio of 73.29:4.36:1.70. It has a backbone, which is composed of 1,4-linked Galp, with 1,2,6-linked Galp branches and 1-linked Glcp residue. In addition, the anti-oxidant activities of GBP-1a, as well as the two main polysaccharide fractions on ABTS radicals, metal ions and superoxide anion radicals, were evaluated in vitro. This study added new data to the study of polysaccharides from garlic bolt.