Due to the complex chemical compositions and pharmacological effects of traditional Chinese medicines, we developed a strategy based on fishing and knockout of bioactive compounds using a combination of high-speed counter-current chromatography (HSCCC) and preparative HPLC for evaluating the holistic activity and interaction of the components of Herba Epimedii. First, osteoblast target cell extraction was used for preliminary screening of the potential bioactive compounds of Herba Epimedii. Second, the bioactive compounds identified (epimedin A, epimedin B, epimedin C and icariin) were fished and knocked out using high-speed counter-current chromatography and preparative HPLC. Third, the bioactivity of resulting fractions was assessed by determining their influence on cell proliferation and differentiation, thereby allowing for an evaluation of their interaction.The pharmacodynamic contribution ratio of each bioactive compound to the efficacy of the herbal medicine could then be comprehensively and intuitively determined based on the spectra-activity correlations (VIP values) of the tested compositions using partial least-squares regression (PLS-R), through which the reliability of the screening and isolation of bioactive compounds by the target cell extraction technique were verified. The proposed strategy is a useful approach with potential application in other traditional Chinese medicines.
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