Study on the transfer law of dosage values between Shouwuteng decoction pieces and standard decoction based on feature maps and multi-component quantification

Shouwuteng is a dried vine stem of Polygonum multiflorum Thunb, a plant in the Polygonaceae family. It is also known as night cross vine and has the effects of nourishing blood, calming the mind, dispelling wind, and unblocking meridians. Used for insomnia, frequent dreaming, blood deficiency, body pain, rheumatism, and itching of the skin. Modern research has shown that the main components of Polygonum multiflorum are anthraquinones, flavonoids, polysaccharides, and stilbene compounds, which have effects such as anti chronic inflammation, sedative hypnotic, antioxidant, immune regulation, antibacterial inhibition, and blood lipid regulation. They are commonly used clinically to improve symptoms such as fatigue, irritability, sleep disorders, and skin diseases.
The standard decoction of traditional Chinese medicine decoction pieces refers to a single decoction of traditional Chinese medicine decoction pieces prepared by standardized processes guided by traditional Chinese medicine theory and based on clinical application, with reference to modern extraction methods. It is used for standardized clinical medication, ensuring the accuracy of medication and consistency of dosage. The evaluation method using standard decoction pieces as reference materials is one of the methods for overall quality control of traditional Chinese medicine. This study followed the principles of the “Management Measures for Traditional Chinese Medicine Formula Granules” issued by the National Pharmacopoeia Committee, and conducted research on the standard decoction of Polygonum multiflorum and its standard decoction according to the preparation process of root and rhizome traditional Chinese medicine decoction pieces. Multi index content determination was carried out on Polygonum multiflorum and its standard decoction pieces, and a fingerprint spectrum was established to compare the differences in their main chemical components, in order to provide reference for the quality evaluation of Polygonum multiflorum water extract and its formula granules.

The optimal chromatographic conditions were determined through the selection of mobile phase, elution program, and detection wavelength in the experiment. The preparation methods of Shouwuteng decoction pieces and Shouwuteng standard decoction solution were investigated to determine the optimal sample preparation method for Shouwuteng decoction pieces and their standard decoction. This method not only maximizes the retention of the chemical components of Shouwuteng decoction pieces and their standard decoction, but also achieves good chromatographic separation, laying the foundation for the quality evaluation research of Shouwuteng decoction pieces and their standard decoction.
Shouwuteng decoction pieces and standard decoction have the same common peak, and the similarity between Shouwuteng decoction pieces and their standard decoction is above 0.95, indicating that the main components of Shouwuteng are transferred to the standard decoction, but the transfer rates of each component are inconsistent. There are two major categories and four components (one stilbene glycoside and three anthraquinones) that can be detected and have high content in Shouwuteng decoction pieces. These components can basically be transferred to the standard decoction, and batches with high content of the four components in the decoction pieces correspond to relatively high content of the standard decoction; However, the transfer rates of each component are not consistent. The transfer rates of stilbene glycoside and emodin glycoside are relatively high, basically above 20%, while the transfer rates of two anthraquinone components, emodin and emodin methyl ether, are relatively low, basically below 20%. This is related to the fact that stilbene glycoside has a certain degree of water solubility, while the rest of the components are mostly lipid soluble. In addition, besides being present in free form, rhein is also in a reduced state, such as derivatives of anthracene phenols and anthrone. Emodin anthraquinone or emodin anthrone is a reduction product of emodin, which is unstable and easily oxidized to anthraquinone, leading to an increase in the transfer rate of emodin. The standard decoction of Shouwuteng is a water decoction prepared according to the quality control and standard setting technical requirements of traditional Chinese medicine formula granules. The highly polar components of stilbene glycoside and emodin are easily transferred from the decoction pieces to the standard decoction, while the less polar components such as emodin and emodin methyl ether are not easily transferred to the standard decoction. Therefore, stilbene glycoside and emodin can be used as indicator components reflecting their preparation process, and can be used as quality control indicators for Shouwuteng formula granules and other formulations. 2,3,5,4 ‘- Tetrahydroxystilbene-2-O – β – D-glucoside has the effects of lowering blood lipids, cholesterol, and regulating immune function in the body; Anthraquinone components (such as emodin, emodin methyl ether, and its glycosides) can improve nerve damage caused by cerebral ischemia. Therefore, suitable extraction solvents can be selected for formulations containing Polygonum multiflorum according to the different functional indications.
The method established in this study can effectively control the quality of Shouwuteng decoction pieces, standard decoctions, and formula granules, and provide a reference method for the study of other varieties.