ABSTRACT
Objective: The quantitative method for the quality makers screened by a chemical pattern recognition method combined with the HPLC fingerprint was established, so as to provide reference for scientific and comprehensive quality evaluation of Prunella vulgaris. Methods: Fingerprints of 30 batches of P. vulgaris were established by HPLC. Similarity evaluation was performed by using Similarity Evaluation System for Fingerprint Chromatogram of TCM (2004A) to confirm the common peak. Principal component analysis and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis were used to screen out the components that caused the quality differences in the batches. Quantitative method of the screened quality makers was established, and its content in 61 batches of samples was determined. Results: The HPLC fingerprints of P. vulgaris were obtained, and a total of 28 common peaks were marked. The similarity of 30 batches of samples was higher than 0.970, which indicated that the overall quality of P. vulgaris was relatively stable. Caffeic acid (F5), hyperoside (F9), isoquercitrin (F10), salviaflaside (F11), and rosmarinic acid (F12) were recognized as the quality makers using principal component analysis and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis. Five markers, which showed good linear relationship, were used as indicators for content determination. The average recovery was 95.0%-105.0%, with the RSD value less than 3%. Conclusion: The analysis method established was scientific, accurate, and reliable. A more perfect, reasonable, and effective method for quality evaluation of P. vulgaris was constructed using a fingerprint combined with chemical pattern recognition technique.