HPLC/DAD comparison of sixteen bioactive components between Da-Cheng-Qi decoction and its parent herbal medicines.

Abstract Differences in the contents of sixteen bioactive components (three tannins, five anthraquinones, six flavonoids and two neolignans) between Da-Cheng-Qi decoction (DCQD) and its three constitutional herbal medicines (Radix et Rhizoma Rhei, Cortex Magnoliae officinalis, and Fructus Aurantii Immaturus) were compared using validated HPLC/DAD methods. The results indicated that there existed some kinds of interactions between these constitutional natural medicines during the DCQD preparation procedure, which could either enhance or depress the extractive rates of bioactive components.