ABSTRACT
Objective: To establish a method for the toxic Q-Marker identification of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), based on the scientific analysis on the conventional application of TCM and taking Euodiae Fructus as a case study. Methods: Taking the literature research of the conventional application of "Jiu Jian" and "Tang Xi" as the breakthrough point, the components of Euodiae Fructus decoction were characterized by fingerprint and mass spectrometry technology, and the hepatotoxicity of Euodiae Fructus decoction was evaluated by the growth inhibition rate, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) of normal human liver cells (L02). The "spectrum-toxicity" relationship analysis was performed by grey relational analysis. Results: The hepatotoxicity of Euodiae Fructus decoction first increased and then decreased with the prolongation of boiling time. Through the "spectrum-toxicity" relationship analysis, it was found that the polar components could be the hepatotoxic Q-Marker in Euodiae Fructus decoction, and the polar components were characterized as isomers of caffeoyl gluconic acid. The scientific connotation of "Jiu Jian" and "Tang Xi" was revealed and the hepatotoxic Q-Marker identification method of Euodiae Fructus was established. Conclusion: It is feasible to take the scientific analysis of conventional application as the breakthrough point for the toxic Q-Marker identification of TCM.