Ju-Ling Compound Fingerprinting for Complex TCM Quality Evaluation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods lack effective means for in-depth analysis of the impact of intrinsic efficacy components on the quality of the Ju-Ling herbal compound, a traditional Chinese medicine formulation for treating gout, and existing fingerprint construction methods for single TCM medicinal materials are not applicable to complex compounds like Ju-Ling herbal compound.

Innovation Solution

A method for constructing a fingerprint chromatogram of the Ju-Ling herbal compound using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) with optimized chromatographic analysis conditions and selected reference substances, enabling comprehensive quality evaluation through similarity analysis.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If traditional fingerprint construction methods for single TCM medicinal materials are used, then the method is simple and easy to operate, but it is not applicable to complex TCM compounds like Ju-Ling herbal compound

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveapplicability to complex TCM compoundsVSAvoidmethod complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent develops a fingerprint construction method that can universally apply to both single TCM medicinal materials and complex TCM compounds. The method uses UHPLC technology with optimized chromatographic conditions that can handle diverse compound types, making the fingerprint construction approach multi-functional and broadly applicable across different TCM formulations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent optimizes multiple chromatographic parameters including mobile phase composition (acetonitrile-water-formic acid system), gradient elution program, column temperature (30℃), and detection wavelength (300 nm) to achieve suitable separation for complex TCM compounds. These parameter adjustments enable the method to effectively resolve the complexity of multi-component TCM formulations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If comprehensive quality evaluation of Ju-Ling herbal compound is achieved, then the accuracy and objectivity of quality assessment is improved, but the analysis method becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvequality evaluation accuracyVSAvoidanalysis method complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a mixed reference substance solution containing multiple reference compounds (chlorogenic acid, gentiopicroside, swertiamarin, astilbin, rutin, quercitrin, narcissin) as intermediaries to facilitate comprehensive quality evaluation. These reference substances serve as markers to identify and quantify key components in the Ju-Ling herbal compound, enabling accurate and objective quality assessment through similarity analysis.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces traditional complex multi-step analysis methods with UHPLC fingerprinting combined with similarity evaluation. This substitution uses advanced chromatographic separation and automated data processing to achieve comprehensive quality evaluation more efficiently, reducing manual intervention while maintaining or improving accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Measurement precision

If UHPLC fingerprint chromatogram is constructed with optimized conditions, then the separation effect and detection accuracy is improved, but the time and resource consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection accuracyVSAvoidanalysis time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs gradient elution with periodic changes in mobile phase composition over time (0-5 min: 5-10% acetonitrile; 5-20 min: 10-40% acetonitrile; 20-30 min: 40-60% acetonitrile; 30-35 min: 60-95% acetonitrile). This periodic adjustment of chromatographic conditions enables efficient separation of multiple components while controlling analysis time, achieving both high detection accuracy and reasonable time consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The method provides a comprehensive, objective, and accurate evaluation of the Ju-Ling herbal compound's quality, ensuring safety and efficacy by detecting and evaluating its complex composition effectively.

Implementation Method 1

separately injecting the test solution and the mixed reference substance solution into a high-performance liquid chromatograph, and performing similarity analysis on chromatograms obtained

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectChromatography: Chromatography

Data Source

PatentEP4650770A1Method for constructing chicory-poria compound fingerprint, and fingerprint and use thereof
Publication Date: 2025.11.19 ZHIQI HEALTH IND (SHANDONG) GROUP CO LTD
  • EP4650770A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4650770A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4650770A1 patent drawing

AI summary

The present disclosure discloses a method for constructing a fingerprint chromatogram of a Ju-Ling herbal compound, including: (1) preparing the Ju-Ling herbal compound into a test solution; (2) preparing a mixed reference substance solution using chlorogenic acid, 6'-O-β-D-glucosylgentiopicroside, swertiamarin, gentiopicroside, sweroside, 3-O-caffeoylshikimic acid, neoastilbin, astilbin, rutin, isoastilbin, isochlorogenic acid C, quercitrin, kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside, and narcissin; and (3) separately injecting the test solution and the mixed reference substance solution into a high-performance liquid chromatograph, and performing similarity analysis on chromatograms obtained to obtain the fingerprint chromatogram of the Ju-Ling herbal compound. The present disclosure also provides the fingerprint chromatogram of the Ju-Ling herbal compound obtained by the method and its use in identifying and/or evaluating the quality of the Ju-Ling herbal compound. The fingerprint chromatogram of the Ju-Ling herbal compound according to the present disclosure could comprehensively, objectively, and accurately test and evaluate the quality of the Ju-Ling herbal compound, thereby ensuring the safety and efficacy of medication for patients.