Enhancing quality evaluation in traditional Chinese medicine: Utilizing dual wavelength fusion fingerprint, electrochemical fingerprint, and DSC fingerprint.

Developing a reliable and effective quality evaluation system for traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is both challenging and crucial for its advancement. This study employs fingerprinting techniques to establish precise and comprehensive quality control for TCM, taking Xuezhikang capsules as an example and aiming to facilitate the internationalization of TCM. The "double wavelength absorption coefficient ratio fingerprint" and "Reliability theory" are developed to determine the fingerprint peak purity and fingerprint reliability respectively. Subsequently, the dual-wavelength fusion fingerprint was obtained to avoid the limitations of a single wavelength. In addition, an electrochemical fingerprint (ECFP) was obtained to assess the similarity of electroactive components in the sample, and the Differential Scanning Calorimetry quantized fingerprint (DSC QFP) was introduced for thermal analysis. Fingerprint-efficacy correlations between PL-EC* and dual-wavelength fusion fingerprint (DWFFP) provided valuable insights that there are 76.6 % of the fingerprint compounds exhibited electroactivity. Finally, samples were classified into grades 1∼3 by combining DWFFP, ECFP and DSC QFP through the mean method, meeting the evaluation standard (SL-M > 0.9, PL-M between 80 % and 120 %). This study provides valuable information for ensuring the quality of TCM products, which represents a significant step forward in enhancing the reliability and authenticity of TCM products.

Quality control and evaluation of Black chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa) by three-wavelength fusion fingerprinting and electrochemical fingerprinting combined with antioxidant activity analysis.

In this study, Black chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa) was used as an example to provide reference for improving the safety, efficacy and quality consistency of homologous foods. In this study, two quality markers (Q-markers) of 27 batches of Black chokeberry were determined using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and there were some differences among the 27 samples. Origin B samples had the highest levels of Q-markers for S15, and origin C had lower than average levels overall. Samples were analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively by Systematic Quantitative Fingerprinting (SQFM). Subsequently, a three-wavelength fusion analysis (TWFP) was established on the chromatographic data to compensate for the lack of a single wavelength. Fourteen batches of TWFP samples were rated at Level 5 or above in the SQFM assessment, indicating that there is some variation in the content of samples from different origins. Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to observe the differences in chemical composition and content of TWFP samples. Subsequently, electrochemical fingerprinting (ECFP) was established and nine characteristic parameters were recorded, showing that the samples were suppressed for all electrochemical Belousov-Zhabotinsky oscillation systems (B-Z oscillation systems). Finally, antioxidant tests were performed using DPPH. The antioxidant capacity was predicted using Partial Least Squares (PLS) analysis with R2Y = 0.84, Q2 = 0.77, a good model fit and accurate prediction. The fingerprint-potency relationship between IC50-peak area showed that 17 of the 19 shared peaks were negatively correlated, indicating that 17 peaks contributed significantly to the antioxidant. The methods established in this study for the determination of TWFP and ECFP, as well as the spectral relationships with peak area and IC50, can be used for the quality inspection and antioxidant capacity test of Black chokeberry, which provides a new research direction for improving the quality standard of medicinal and foodstuffs.

A new method to comprehensively evaluate the quality of Tianma Toutong tablets by multiple fingerprints combined with quantitative analysis and prescription analysis.

Tianma Toutong Tablets (TMTTTs) are composed of six traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs), and there is currently no comprehensive method to evaluate the quality of TMTTT. To ensure its quality, it is necessary to propose methods for evaluation and control. To address the issue, we established an HPLC and electrochemical fingerprint of TMTTT and quantify eight components-Gastrodin, p-hydroxybenzyl alcohol, chlorogenic acid, parishin A, ferulic acid, hesperidin, imperatorin, and isoimperatorin. We used the Sub-quantified profiling method (SQPM) to calculate the actual contribution value of each individual herb and evaluated and predicted the quality of the compound medication. In addition, electrochemical fingerprinting (ECFP) was established using a Belousov-Zhabotinsky (B-Z) oscillation system in which six characteristic electrochemical parameters were recorded to compare the differences between batches. Finally, a compound synthesizing fingerprint (CSF) of TMTTT was developed by fitting the compounds of the six herbs, the contribution of individual herbs to the prescription was evaluated. Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to downscale the data of different fingerprint profiles to assist the analysis process. The rational combination of multidimensional fingerprinting and PCA provided a comprehensive and reliable method for the evaluation of TMTTT and other TCM compound preparations, SQPM could effectively link single herbs to compound preparations, avoiding the use of non-compliant TCMs at source and improving the quality of compound preparations.

A repetitive frequency square wave generator based on Blumlein pulse forming network and pseudospark switch.

The Blumlein pulse forming network (PFN) has widely been used in pulsed power technology to generate square waves with short pulse widths. In this paper, we developed a repetitive frequency square wave generator based on Blumlein PFN and pseudospark switch (PSS). A Blumlein PFN with unequal capacitances has been proposed, and the PFN parameters have been optimized for better output waveforms. A single-gap PSS with a withstand voltage of 40 kV and a repetitive frequency of 100 Hz has been designed to switch the Blumlein PFN. The experiment results show that the square wave generator can output pulses with a voltage of 26 kV, a rise time of 25 ns, and a pulse width of 90 ns on a matched load of 11 Ω. It has operated steadily for 10 h with a repetitive frequency of 100 Hz, and the jitter remains at around 1 ns after 1.05 × 106 shots.

Establishing an integrated, four-dimensional quality assessment system for traditional Chinese medicine: A case study of Shuanghuanglian oral liquid.

The quality of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is the premise to ensure its safety and effectiveness in clinical application. In this study, a complete quality control system for four-dimensional fingerprinting of TCM was innovatively constructed based on multiple detection techniques, and the quality of Shuanghuanglian oral liquid (SHL) was evaluated. Electrochemical fingerprinting (ECFP) as an emerging method without pretreatment provides rich and quantifiable information for SHL samples. The first quantitative ECFP of SHL was developed by the B-Z oscillation system. Eight characteristic parameters were analyzed and a good linear relationship was found between the oscillation lifetime and sample volume, by which the calculated values of the added sample volume (VL) showed different fluctuations between samples. What is more, high-performance liquid chromatography five-wavelength fusion fingerprint (HPLC-FWFP), GC fingerprint (GC-FP), and UV quantum fingerprint (UV-QFP) was established. Meanwhile, the purity of the peaks of the HPLC-FWFP was verified by the dual-wavelength absorption coefficient ratio spectrum (DWAR). Equal weighted ratio quantitative fingerprinting method (EWRQFM) was successfully proposed to extract all potential features for the overall quality assessment of the samples. Finally, a comprehensive evaluation strategy was proposed, namely the variation coefficient weighting algorithm (VCWA). The results of qualitative and quantitative evaluation of HPLC-FWFP, GC-FP, electrochemical quantum fingerprints (EC-QFP), and UV-QFP were integrated by this method. The established evaluation system is also a suitable strategy to control the quality of other TCM preparations.

Quality assessment of Red Yeast Rice by fingerprint and fingerprint-effect relationship combined with antioxidant activity.

Red Yeast Rice (RYR) is an important functional food ingredient that plays a critical role in promoting dietary guidance and maintaining health. To ensure its quality, four key compounds were quantified, and both HPLC fingerprint and electrochemical fingerprint (ECFP) were applied to assess quality. Additionally, 2,2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS+•) scavenging test and ECFP were applied to assay the total antioxidant activity, with ascorbic acid as the positive control. The results showed that the holistic quality of samples was divided into 4 grades based on HPLC fingerprint analysis by the comprehensive linear quantitative fingerprint method. Additionally, the area of the total peak (Atp) in ECFP was found to be linearly correlated with the antioxidant activity (R > 0.99). A further fingerprint-efficacy relationship analysis determined the significant contributions to the antioxidant activity of peaks 20-Daidzein, 21-Glycitein, and 24-Genistein. Overall, this study suggested a comprehensive and reliable approach to the quality assessment of RYR.

Quality control and evaluation of Xiaozhong Zhitong tincture by multi-wavelength fingerprint combined with electrochemical fingerprint.

Xiaozhong Zhitong tincture (XZZTT), a prominent Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) formulation comprising 21 intricate herbal components, poses a challenge in terms of quality control due to its complex composition and the interplay of diverse chemical constituents. To address this issue, a comprehensive assessment strategy was devised by integrating chromatographic and electrochemical techniques to construct a multidimensional fingerprint for XZZTT samples. This study encompassed the evaluation of 42 XZZTT samples through a systematic quantitative fingerprinting method (SQFM), while also quantifying the concentrations of four specific compounds-Geniposide, Palmatine hydrochloride, Paeonol, and Chlorogenic acid. The experimental approach encompassed the establishment of fingerprints using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC), Gas Chromatography (GC), and GC-HPLC tandem fingerprints methods. Furthermore, electrochemical fingerprints (ECFP) were established using the B-Z oscillation system, and eight characteristic parameters in the oscillation system were recorded and compared among samples. Hierarchical Clustering Analysis (HCA) was subsequently employed to classify the distinct fingerprints and compare outcomes from one-dimensional spectroscopy, GC-HPLC tandem chromatography, and the fusion fingerprints. Finally, Grey Relation Analysis (GRA) was harnessed to unravel the relationship between ECFP outcomes and peak areas in fusion fingerprints, facilitating predictions regarding the substances' reducing potency. In conclusion, the rational combination of multidimensional fingerprinting and multidimensional analysis provides a reliable and comprehensive method for the evaluation of XZZTT and its related products.

Quality evaluation of Keteling capsules based on fingerprinting, multicomponent quantification, and quantitative prediction.

The Keteling capsule (KC) is a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) made from the dried extract of Ficus microphylla and an appropriate amount of chlorpheniramine maleate. It is widely used to treat cough and relieve asthma. Despite its extensive usage, a rapid and comprehensive quality evaluation strategy for KC remains a challenge. This study introduces an electrochemical fingerprint analysis technique, in addition to the commonly employed HPLC fingerprints, for efficient and convenient quality evaluation. Moreover, a cost-effective, rapid, and accurate multi-component quantification technique known as the "Multi-markers assay by the monolinear method (MAML)" and the "FT-IR quantitative model" were explored. The HPLC fingerprints were evaluated using a systematically quantified fingerprint method, while the electrochemical fingerprints, based on the Belousov-Zhabotinsky oscillation reaction principle, were effectively analyzed and characterized using oxidation induction times and oscillation lifetimes. Multi-component quantitative analysis was carried out through the MAML and FT-IR quantitative models. The HPLC fingerprint successfully classified the 22 samples into eight grades with excellent discrimination. Active ingredient content analysis was achieved using reliable parameters obtained from electrochemical fingerprinting. The no significant difference in the quantitative results proves the accuracy of the MAML method. Additionally, successful FT-IR quantitative prediction models were developed for chlorogenic acid, isovitexin, and chlorpheniramine maleate. This study offers a dependable and effective approach for enhancing the quality control of KC, and it can provide new insights for improving the quality analysis methods in the field of TCM.

Thorough evaluation of the Chinese medicine preparations and intermediates using high performance liquid chromatography fingerprints and ultraviolet quantum fingerprints along with antioxidant activity: Shuanghuanglian oral solution as an example.

The growing global popularity of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has generated a growing interest in the quality control of TCM products. Shuanghuanglian Oral Liquid (SHL) is a commonly used TCM formula for treating respiratory tract infections. In this study, we present a thorough evaluation method for the quality of SHL and its intermediates. We assessed the quality through multi-wavelength fusion high-performance liquid chromatogram (HPLC) fingerprints of 40 batches of SHL samples and 15 batches of intermediates. Meanwhile, we introduced a new method called multi-markers assay by monolinear method (MAML) to quantify ten components in SHL, and revealed quality transmitting of ten components from intermediates to formulations. This information allowed us to establish a quality control system for intermediates, ensuring their quality consistency. Furthermore, we proposed UV quantum fingerprinting as an orthogonal complement to the quality evaluation by HPLC fingerprint. The relationship between fingerprinting and antioxidant capacity was also established. Overall, this study presented a novel and integrated approach for the quality evaluation of TCM products, providing valuable information for ensuring the safety and efficacy of TCM products for consumers.

Assessing the quality consistency of red yeast medicinal material by five-wavelength fusion fingerprint and ultraviolet quantum fingerprint corresponding with antioxidant activity analysis.

In this study, a five-wavelength fusion fingerprint (FWFFT) combined with all-ultraviolet(UV) and antioxidant methods was used to explore the quality consistency of red yeast (RYT) samples. 1,1-Diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl Free Radical (DPPH) was used for antioxidant experiments, combined with high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and grey correlation analysis (GCA) was performed with chromatographic peak area. The results showed that multi-wavelength fusion technology compensates for the shortcomings of single-wavelength technology, and the combination with UV avoids of the one-sidedness of single technology. Simultaneously, the fingerprint peak of the sample and the antioxidant activity had a high correlation, and the antioxidant activity had a corresponding relationship with the content of the two controls. This study provides a comprehensive and reliable method for the quality consistency evaluation of traditional Chinese medicines (TCM).

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 Pm 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.

Evaluating the quality consistency of antiviral oral liquid by high-performance liquid chromatography five-wavelength matched average fusion fingerprint combined with electrochemical fingerprint and ultraviolet spectral quantum fingerprint.

The antiviral oral liquid (AOL) was an antiviral drug currently in clinical trials against coronavirus disease 2019. This study aimed to improve its quality consistency evaluation method using fingerprint techniques from several aspects. First, the five-wavelength matched average fusion fingerprint (FMAFFP) for HPLC, electrochemical fingerprint (ECFP), and ultraviolet spectral quantum fingerprint (UVFP) was established for 22 samples, respectively. Their quality was then assessed using the average linear quantitative fingerprint method, and 22 samples were classified into eight quality grades. OPLS and PCA were then used further to explore the characteristic parameters of these three fingerprints. Five compounds were quantified simultaneously for the first time, and then the relationship between the average linear quantitative similarity (PL) and the sum of the five quantitative components (P5c) was investigated. A linear correlation (r ≥ 0.9735) between PL and P5c suggested that PL may be used to predict chemical content. Finally, to investigate the antioxidant potential of the AOL, correlation analyses were performed for FMAFFP peaks-PEC and UVFP peaks-PEC, respectively, where the PEC value was defined as the quantitative similarity of ECFP. The Pearson correlation coefficient and gray correlation analysis were consistent, allowing us to initially explore the antioxidant capacity of the unidentified components of the samples. This study researched AOL using multidimensional fingerprints to provide a comprehensive and reliable method for quality consistency control of herbal compound preparations.

Anti-inflammation activity of Zhizi Jinhua Pills and overall quality consistency evaluation based on integrated HPLC, DSC and electrochemistry fingerprints.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Zhizi Jinhua Pills (ZZJHP), a compound preparation composed of 8 traditional Chinese medicines (TCM), is widely used clinically to clearing heat, purging fire, cooling blood and detoxifying. However, the studies on its pharmacological activity and the determination of active compounds are relatively few. There is a lack of quality control methods that can reflect the effectiveness of the drug. AIM OF THE STUDY: The objective was to construct fingerprint profiles, conduct a spectrum-effect relationship study and establish an overall quality control method for ZZJHP through anti-inflammatory and redox activity studies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Firstly, anti-inflammatory activity was tested using the xylene-induced ear edema model in mice. Then, Five-wavelength fusion HPLC fingerprint, electrochemical fingerprint, and Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) profiling were established to evaluate ZZJHP more comprehensively, where Euclidean quantified fingerprint method (EQFM) was proposed for the similarity assessment of these three fingerprints. Moreover, the spectrum-activity relationship of HPLC-FP and DSC-FP with electrochemical activity helped explore the active components or ranges in the fingerprint. Finally, integrated analysis of HPLC, DSC and electrochemistry were used for the quality screen of samples from different manufacturers. RESULTS: ZZJHP was found to significantly decrease the levels of both TNF-α and IL-6 in the mice. Qualitatively, the integrated similarity Sm of 21 samples were all greater than 0.9, indicating the great consistency in chemical composition. Quantitatively, 9 batches of samples were classified as Grade1∼4; 6 batches of samples were classified as Grade5∼7 due to higher PINT; 6 batches of samples were classified as Grade4∼5 due to lower PINT. EQFM can qualitatively and quantitatively characterize the fingerprint profile information from an overall perspective. CONCLUSIONS: This strategy will contribute to the quantitative characterization of TCM and promote the application of fingerprint technology in the phytopharmacy field.

Cerebral iron deficiency may induce depression through downregulation of the hippocampal glucocorticoid-glucocorticoid receptor signaling pathway.

BACKGROUND: Iron is a trace essential element to sustain the normal neurological function of human. Many researches had reported the involvement of iron deficiency (ID) in neural development and cognitive functions. However, the role of ID in pathogenesis of depression and its underlying mechanism are still unclear. METHODS: In this study, we first used chronic unpredicted mild stress (CUMS) and iron deprivation mouse models to clarify the pathogenesis role of cerebral ID in depression. Then the role of hippocampal glucocorticoid (GC)-glucocorticoid receptor (GR) pathway in cerebral ID induced depression were elucidated in iron deprivation mice and iron deficiency anemia patients. RESULTS: Our results revealed that both CUMS and iron deprivation could induce cerebral ID in mice, and combination of iron deprivation and CUMS could accelerate the onset and aggravate the symptoms of depression in mice. In hippocampus, ID led to neuronal injury and neurogenesis decrease, which might be related to downregulation of GC-GR signaling pathway caused GR dysfunction, thereby inhibiting the negative feedback regulation function of hippocampus on hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. Moreover, the overactivity of HPA axis in iron deprivation mice and iron deficiency anemia patients also confirmed GR dysfunction. LIMITATIONS: Iron deprivation led to food and water intake decrease of mice, which may affect the behavioral test. In addition, we mainly evaluated the role of hippocampal ID in depression, and the number of iron deficiency anemia patients was limited. CONCLUSIONS: Our results identified that cerebral iron homeostasis was a key factor for maintaining mental stability.

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 control strategies of medicine food homology materials based on fingerprint profiling and chemometrics: Citri Reticulata Pericarpium as an example.

The study aimed to provide a reliable and feasible strategy for the comprehensive quality control of medicine food homology materials (MFHM). The high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) fingerprints and Fourier transform mid-infrared (FT-MIR) quantized fingerprints were successfully developed to comprehensively evaluate overall quality of Citri Reticulata Pericarpium (CRP) by applying comprehensive quantified fingerprint method (CQFM). All samples were well distinguished and divided into 5 grades. In addition, through principal component analysis (PCA) and partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA), the identification ability of HPLC fingerprints and FT-MIR fingerprints on CRP with different storage years was discussed. The results showed that HPLC fingerprints combined with PCA had good discrimination ability, and the PLS-DA model established by the preprocessed FT-MIR fingerprint data could accurately distinguish and predict the storage period of CRP. Finally, based on 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH•) scavenging assay, combined with bivariate correlation analysis, the fingerprint-activity relationship of offline antioxidant activity of CRP samples with the fingerprints peak were studied. In general, the comprehensive strategies provide a reliable and scientific reference scheme for the quality control of MFHM in the future.

Dual control system for comprehensive evaluation of quality consistency of herbal preparations.

This study was undertaken to establish an integrated quality control method based on the fingerprint of different testing instruments and a four-dimensional antioxidant activity profile. Firstly, the comprehensive ratio quantitative fingerprint method was used to rapidly calculate the similarity of GC fingerprint, UV-vis quantized fingerprint, HPLC fingerprint and ATR-FT-IR quantized fingerprint. In addition, a comprehensive evaluation strategy was proposed using the variation coefficient weighting algorithm, incorporating four complementary inputs, to achieve highly accurate analysis. At the same time, multi-markers assay by monolinear method was used for the first time for the quantitative analysis of multiple components. Based on this, the fingerprint-efficacy relationship was investigated, and substances that might be biologically active and the wavelength range of their distribution were predicted using the online-HPLC-DPPH-FIA method in conjunction with a PLS model built from individual and combined data matrices. The results showed that all 20 batches of samples were within 1-3 grades, with good quality consistency. According to index E, the samples' overall antioxidant capacity was also highly correlated with the year of production. The four-dimensional antioxidant activity profile also led to the conclusion that variations in antioxidant characteristics were caused by differences in the concentration and volatility of particular bioactive chemicals. Finally, mid-level data fusion produced better classification results than a single technique, further demonstrating the synergistic effects that may occur when the four types of data were combined. This study demonstrated that the combination of GC, UV-vis, ATR-FT-IR and HPLC can be used for the consistency control of herbal preparations and can elucidate the potential in predicting the antioxidant capacity of herbal preparations.

High performance liquid chromatography three-wavelength fusion fingerprint combined with electrochemical fingerprint and antioxidant method to evaluate the quality consistency of Mingmu Dihuang Pill.

In this paper, three-wavelength fusion fingerprint (TWFFP) combined with electrochemical fingerprint (ECFP) and antioxidant methods were used to jointly explore the quality consistency of Mingmu Dihuang Pill (MMDHP). The TWFFP fully demonstrated the maximum ultraviolet absorption characteristics at multiple wavelengths, supplemented the defects brought by the single-wavelength evaluation. ECFP was established to analyze the characteristic parameters in more depth, and all samples had inhibitory effects on the electrochemical oscillation system. Using 2,2-diaza-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazole-6-sulfonic acid) antioxidant test, combined with ECFP, the fingerprint-efficacy relationship was established with the peak areas of the TWFFP. As a result, 15 of the 36 common peaks made important contributions to both efficacy relationships at the same time. The TWFFP and ECFP were evaluated by a systematically quantified fingerprint method, and the ability of HPLC and electrochemical to distinguish samples was discussed by hierarchical clustering analysis. Content percentage was introduced to calculate the relationship between marker components and macro quantitative similarity. The method of quantitative analysis of multi-components by single marker was explored to analyze the accuracy of evaluating the marker components. This study provided a comprehensive and reliable method for the quality consistency control of complex Traditional Chinese Medicine and its compound preparations.

Evaluating quality consistency of cigarette by 3 kinds of quantum fingerprints.

Cigarette has a history of more than 40 years and once sold well all over the country. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the quality consistency of 30 batches of cigarettes. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) curves, Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) spectra and terahertz time-domain spectra of 30 batches of cigarettes were collected. In this paper, a new quality evaluation method was explored, the obtained fingerprints were quantized, the t-test was used to analyze the correlation between the original fingerprint and the quantum fingerprint. The quantized fingerprints were evaluated by the systematically quantitative fingerprint method (SQFM), the macro qualitative similarity and the macro quantitative similarity were used to reflect the internal differences of the samples. Finally, the antioxidant activities of 30 batches of samples were investigated, and the correlation between quantum fingerprints and IC50 values were analyzed by Pearson correlation coefficient (r).The result shows that there was no significant difference between the quantum fingerprint and the original fingerprint; SQFM can effectively calculate the similarity of sample curves and classify samples into different grades; the FT-IR fingerprints had a good correlation with the IC50 value. 30 samples performed a good quality consistency within an acceptable grades range. In addition, quantum fingerprints have broad application prospects in spectral analysis.

Quality grade evaluation and related antioxidant activity research of different medicinal parts of Catalpa fruit.

Catalpa fruit is a traditional Chinese medicine used in the treatment of diuresis and detumescence; however one-sided quantitative or qualitative investigation limits its overall quality evaluation. Hence, this study proposed to qualitatively and quantitatively evaluate the quality consistency of Catalpa fruit from the perspectives of chromatography and spectroscopy. First, the fusion fingerprints of 15 batches of Catalpa fruit pericarp and 15 batches of Catalpa fruit seed were established by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and ultraviolet (UV) spectroscopy in equal weights, respectively, to avoid the unilaterality of a single analytical technique. The different medicinal parts of Catalpa fruit were graded and evaluated based on a systematically quantified fingerprint method, and the quality of the pericarp and seed was further investigated. The results revealed that the quality of most pericarp and seed samples was within the acceptable level range (grade ≤ 5), and that seed quality was clearly superior to pericarp quality. Furthermore, according to the research findings, the content of p-hydroxybenzoic acid in Catalpa fruit pericarp was generally higher than that in Catalpa fruit seed, while the content of catalposide was generally lower than that in Catalpa fruit seed. Additionally, the fingerprint-efficacy relationship with HPLC was discussed by binary correlation analysis, which indicated that catalposide had the strongest antioxidant activity. This study demonstrated that the analytical techniques based on chromatographic fingerprinting, spectral fingerprinting and antioxidant activity provided new theoretical foundation as well as technical guidance for Catalpa fruit quality control and rational utilization.