Discovery of quality markers and quality evaluation of Poria cocos based on “in vitro-in vivo” multidimensional chemical group associated network / 中草药

ABSTRACT

Objective: The quality markers of Poria cocos were identified based on the “in vitro-in vivo” multidimensional chemical group associated network and in vivo pharmacokinetics, and the mass spectrometry method for quantitative detection of quality markers was established to evaluate the quality of P. cocos. Methods: A quantitative analysis method of triterpenoids in P. cocos was established by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-triple quadruple tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) while dioscin was chosen as internal reference substance. The pharmacokinetic curves of active ingredients in vivo were drawn. Seven quality markers of P. cocos including dehydrotumulosic acid, tumulosic acid, and poricoic acid B were identified based on the results of pharmacokinetics. The content of high content components and quality markers in 10 batches of P. cocos were detected and used as variables for cluster analysis of 10 batches of P. cocos. Results: There were differences in the results of clustering analysis with different indexes as variables in evaluating the quality of P. cocos. Conclusion: To a certain extent, the method of quality control of P. cocos with high content components is one-sided. In order to comprehensively and accurately control the quality of P. cocos, it is necessary to take into full account the in vivo and in vitro changes and the in vivo dynamic process of P. cocos composition, and select the effective quality markers related to its pharmacodynamics for its quality control.