Effective-constituent compatibility-based analysis of Bufei Yishen formula, a traditional herbal compound as an effective treatment for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Critical effective constituents were identified from Bufei Yishen formula (BYF), a traditional herbal compound and combined as effective-constituent compatibility (ECC) of BYF I, which may have potential bioactive equivalence to BYF. METHODS: The active constituents of BYF were identified using four cellular models and categorised into Groups 1 (Bufeiqi), 2 (Bushen), 3 (Huatan) and 4 (Huoxue) according to Chinese medicinal theory. An orthogonal design and a combination method were used to determine the optimal ratios of effective constituents in each group and the ratios of "Groups 1 to 4" according to their pharmacological activity. We also comprehensively assessed bioactive equivalence between the BYF and the ECC of BYF I in a rat model of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). RESULTS: We identified 12 active constituents in BYF. The numbers of constituents in Groups 1 to 4 were 3, 2, 5 and 2, respectively. We identified the optimal ratios of effective constituents within each group. In Group 1, total ginsenosidesAstragalus polysaccharideastragaloside IV ratio was 952. In Group 2, icariinschisandrin B ratio was 10012.5. In Group 3, nobiletinhesperidinpeiminepeimininekaempferol ratio was 4306.2500. In Group 4, paeoniflorinpaeonol ratio was 41. An orthogonal design was then used to establish the optimal ratios of Group 1, Group 2, Group 3 and Group 4 in ECC of BYF I. The ratio for total ginsenosidesAstragalus polysaccharideastragaloside IVicariinschisandrin Bnobiletinhesperidinpeiminepaeoniflorinpaeonol was determined to be 22.512.5510012.54306.25256.25. A comprehensive evaluation confirmed that ECC of BYF I presented with bioactive equivalence to the original BYF. CONCLUSION: Based on the ECC of traditional Chinese medicine formula method, the effective constituents of BYF were identified and combined in a fixed ratio as ECC of BYF I that was as effective as BYF itself in treating rats with COPD.