Comprehensive Quality Evaluation of Qizhi Xiangfu Pills Based on Quantitative Analysis of Multi-Components by a Single Marker Combined with GC Fingerprints and Chemometrics

Background Qizhi Xiangfu Pills (QXPs) are 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 improvement. Objective This study aimed to analyze and determine the active ingredients in QXPs for its overall evaluation. Methods In this study, a quantitative analysis of multi-components by a single marker (QAMS) method was established to simultaneously determine caryophyllene oxide, cyperotundone, ligustilide, and alpha-cyperone in QXPs by GC. Moreover, the GC fingerprints of 22 batches of 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). Results Compared with an internal standard method (ISM), the determination results obtained by QAMS had no significant difference. Twenty-two common peaks were distinguished in the fingerprint of 22 batches of QXPs, 17 of which were identified, and the similarity of the fingerprints was greater than 0.898. The 22 batches of QXPs were roughly divided into 3 categories, and 12 main markers causing the discrepancies were discovered. Conclusion The established QAMS method combined with the GC fingerprint and chemometrics is convenient and feasible, which helps to improve the quality evaluation of QXPs and provides a demonstration for the related study of compound preparations and single herbs.