Fingerprint Analysis and Quality Marker Identification of Sanhuang Xiexin Decoction Based on Integrated Phytochemical and Chemometric Approaches

Sanhuang Xiexin Decoction (SHXXD) is a classical traditional Chinese medicine prescription with a long history of clinical application. However, a systematic phytochemical characterization and reliable quality evaluation strategy for SHXXD remain insufficient. This study aimed to establish a fingerprint-based quality evaluation approach for SHXXD and to identify representative quality markers (Q-markers) through integrated phytochemical analysis and chemometric methods. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) fingerprinting combined with chemometric analysis was employed to evaluate the chemical consistency of SHXXD across different batches. Potential Q-markers were screened based on chromatographic behavior, specificity, and relative abundance. Reproducible HPLC fingerprints were obtained, revealing high similarity among batches. Six representative components were identified as potential Q-markers, showing good chromatographic resolution and stable quantitative profiles. Chemometric analysis effectively distinguished characteristic peaks contributing to the overall chemical features. The established HPLC fingerprint combined with Q-marker screening provides a practical and reliable analytical strategy for the quality control and standardization of SHXXD.