ABSTRACT
Objective: A novel and generally applicable approach was established for the interaction analysis on compatibility of Danshen-Honghua (Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix and Carthami Flos) pair with different preparations and proportions when decocting together by using HPLC-PDA and fuzzy chemical identification strategy with poly-proportion design. Methods: A simple project was initially developed for the rapid identification and classification of four types of components in Danshen-Honghua based on the establishment of relevant component data base, recognition of the reference compound peaks, selection of the characteristics of ultraviolet spectrum, and formation of group networks. In this study, the accurate structures of the chemical components did not need to be determined, and only the constituents attributed to different groups were further considered for quantitative analysis. Results: A total of 47, 57, and 43 constituents from different preparations of Danshen-Honghua were classified into four kinds of chemical groups, and they were quantitatively analyzed furtherly according to semi-symmetric proportion design. The results showed that the preparation of methanol-water could significantly promote the dissolution of most salvianolic acids, chalcones, and flavonoids, while the contents of tanshinones in methanol were higher than others. The relative dissolution rate range of total optimization for the four types of components were from 5:1 to 5:2, and the highest proportion of the total relative dissolution were all 5:2. Conclusion: The most reasonable range may appear 5:1-5:2 for water preparation and be consistent with clinical ratio, which provides the reference for clinical application of Danshen-Honghua pair, and for modern research approach of herb pairs.