UPLC–Q‐TOF/MS analysis of chemical components of single decoction and combined decoction of Qige decoction reveals the differences between various preparation processes

Abstract The aim of this work was to explore the differences between various pharmaceutical processes in combined solutions of a single decoction (QGHBY) and a combined decoction (QGHJY) of Qi‐Ge decoction from the perspective of chemical composition changes, so as to further guide the clinical application of drugs. A combined solution of a single decoction and a combined decoction of Astragali Radix, Puerariae Lobatae Radix and Citri Reticulatae Chachiensis Pericarpium was prepared with the same technological parameters. The chemical components of the two were detected and identified based on UPLC–Q‐TOF/MS, and the different components were determined by principal component analysis. Eighty‐eight compounds were identified in the pharmaceutical solution of Qi‐Ge decoction. Principal component analysis revealed 11 different components of QGHBY and QGHJY with the conditions of Variable Importance in Projection (VIP) ≥ 1, fold change ≥ 2 and p < 0.05, among which hesperidin, hesperitin, isosinensetin, sinensetin and 5‐demethylnobiletin were the components of Citri Reticulatae Chachiensis Pericarpium. The levels of these 11 different components in QGHJY were higher than those of QGHBY. The combined decoction is beneficial for the dissolution of flavonoids and other chemical components, and there is a significant difference in the content of chemical components between modern herbal concentrate granules and traditional decoctions.