Optimization of extraction process of 15 bioactive compounds from Qing Fei Yi Huo tablets using response surface methodology

Qing Fei Yi Huo tablets (QFYHT) can relieve the clinical symptoms of acute bronchitis, and is widely prescribed in China. However, the quality standard of QFTHT lacks quantitative assessment. Therefore, it is crucial to develop an effective method for the extraction and analyses of its bioactive components.This study aimed to optimize the ultrasonic extraction of QFYHT and establish a method for the simultaneous quantification of 15 components. Box-Behnken Design (BBD) experiment was employed with three factors (solvent volume, extraction time and ultrasonic power) to optimize the extraction conditions, and the total content of 15 components was measured by high-performance liquid chromatography-diode array detector (HPLC-DAD) method. The total extracted content of 15 components was the highest when 100% methanol was used as the solvent, and the solvent volume was 22 mL, extraction time was 30 min and ultrasonic power was 350 w. The 15 components showed a good linear relationship (r ≥ 0.9998) within a concentration range. The precision, stability and repeatability of this method were satisfactory, and the average recovery rates ranged from 98.08% ∼ 102.87%. These findings demonstrate that optimization of extraction conditions by RSM can significantly improve the ultrasonic extraction rate of the 15 bioactive components of QFYHT. The quantification method is simple, accurate, reliable and practical, and can provide reference for improving the quality control of QFYHT.