Research on the new improved "Fujv" compressed decoction pieces of Isatidis Folium based on an integrative...

"Fujv" (a traditional Chinese medicine processing method of chopping herbs into small pieces for convenient decoction and administration) compressed decoction pieces (FP) is a new type of improved processing technology that compresses leaf-type herbs into dense blocks. To compare the quality of pharmacopoeia-specified decoction pieces (YP) and FP of Isatidis Folium (IF), this study conducted analyses from both physical and chemical perspectives. First, a modified drainage method and a tilting method were employed to compare the volume and flowability of YP and FP. Subsequently, the UPLC-Q-Orbitrap-MS was used for qualitative identification of chemical components in IF. HPLC was then applied to establish chromatographic fingerprints for YP and FP. Based on the identification of 18 common peaks in fingerprints, the chemometric methods were employed to evaluate the overall quality of YP and FP. In combination with the variable importance for projection (VIP) value and the indicator components recorded in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia, the contents of isovitexin, indirubin, and total amount of indigo and indirubin were determined. Furthermore, the extraction rate and indirubin content of the standard decoctions prepared from YP and FP were compared. The results showed that the volume and flowability of FP were significantly superior to those of YP. At the chemical level, the overall quality difference between YP and FP was minimal. Regarding the content of key components in decoction pieces and standard decoctions, FP made from IF originating from Gansu and Henan provinces exhibited better quality than their YP counterparts. These findings support the potential of FP as a space-saving and flowability-improved alternative to the YP of IF, providing a basis for further process standardization and quality evaluation.