Identification and Analysis of Compound Profiles of Sinisan Based on 'Individual Herb, Herb-Pair, Herbal Formula' before and after Processing Using UHPLC-Q-TOF/MS Coupled with Multiple Statistical Strategy.

Sinisan has been widely used to treat depression. However, its pharmacologically-effective constituents are largely unknown, and the pharmacological effects and clinical efficacies of Sinisan-containing processed medicinal herbs may change. To address these important issues, we developed an ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization tandem quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC-Q-TOF/MS) method coupled with multiple statistical strategies to analyze the compound profiles of Sinisan, including individual herb, herb-pair, and complicated Chinese medicinal formula. As a result, 122 different constituents from individual herb, herb-pair, and complicated Chinese medicinal formula were identified totally. Through the comparison of three progressive levels, it suggests that processing herbal medicine and/or altering medicinal formula compatibility could change herbal chemical constituents, resulting in different pharmacological effects. This is also the first report that saikosaponin h/i and saikosaponin g have been identified in Sinisan.