Multiple approaches to characterize and visualize the chemical composition of Sijunzi Decoction comprehensively

Sijunzi Decoction is composed of Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma, Atractylodes Macrocephalae Rhizoma, Poria, and Glycyrrhizae Radix Et Rhizoma Praeparata Cum Melle, and it is a classic formula for treating spleen deficiency syndrome in Chinese medicine. Clarifying the active substances is an effective way to develop Traditional Chinese medicine and innovative medicines. Carbohydrates, proteins, amino acids, saponins, flavonoids, phenolic acids, and inorganic elements in the decoction were analyzed by multiple approaches. A molecular network was also used for visualizing the ingredients in Sijunzi Decoction, and representative components were also quantified. The detected components accounted for 74.544% of the Sijunzi Decoction freeze-dried powder, including 41.751% crude polysaccharides, 17.826% sugars (degree of polymerization 1-2), 8.181% total saponins, 2.427% insoluble precipitates, 2.154% free amino acids, 1.177% total flavonoids, 0.546% total phenolic acids, and 0.483% inorganic elements. Molecular network and quantitative analysis used to characterize the chemical composition of Sijunzi Decoction. The present study systematically characterized the constituents of Sijunzi Decoction, revealed the composition ratio of each type of constituent, and provided a reference for study on the substance basis of other Chinese medicine.