Study on the transmission law of Sanghuang and its standard decoction dose value based on multivariate statistical analysis

Objective: To establish the characteristic spectrum of Sanghuang standard decoction and the content determination method of index components, to study the change of the characteristic spectrum of Sanghuang and standard decoction, and to analyze the transfer rule of the quantity value of the index component content between Sanghuang and its standard decoction. Methods: Analysis was performed on a Shimadzu WondaSil C18 column (4.6×250 mm, 5 μm) with acetonitrile-0.1% phosphoric acid for gradient elution. The characteristic spectrum method was established. The paste-forming rate, content, and transfer rate of polysaccharide and total phenol, and the number of common peaks in the characteristic spectrum were used as the main evaluation indexes to analyze the quantitative transmission law of the standard decoction of Sanghuang. Results: The findings demonstrated that the similarity of characteristic chromatographic both Sanghuang and its standard decoction was all at a range of 0.992–1.000. The ability of both Orthogonal Partial Least Squares-Discriminant Analysis (OPLS-DA) and Hierarchical Cluster Analysis (HCA) to distinguish between them confirmed that peaks 1 (ergothioneine), 4 (protocatechuic aldehyde), and 6 are the distinctive elements of Sanghuang and its typical decoctions. Polysaccharides and total phenols from Sanghuang were transferred to standard decoctions at average rates of 31.98% and 25.38%, respectively, while the average extraction rate of 15 batches of standard decoctions was 4.85%. Conclusion: Sanghuang’s chemical components and those of its normal decoctions are nearly the same, with main chemical components and stable components showing good transfer throughout the procedure. This lays the foundation for the development of quality standards for Sanghuang formula particles by demonstrating the well-controlled quality of Sanghuang standard decoctions and a methodical and scientific preparation methodology.