Abstract: The theory of herb compatibility is essential part of traditional Chinese medicines(TCM) prescription. No work has been reported on changes of multiple components in TCM compatibility. It is the first time that basic idea about studying changes of multiple components in TCM compatility was put forward. High-performance liquid chromatography-photodiode array detector-mass spectrometry(HPLC-PAD-MS) was used in this study. Information of retention time, ultraviolet(UV) spectra and molecular weights was compared to confirm the origin of peaks in TCM co-decoction. Then, changes of multiple components in TCM compatibility were carried out. Uniform chromatographic method was the foundation of basic idea. Meanwhile, the origins of peaks in TCM co-decoction were breakthrough. To explore the chemical changes of compatibility of Radices paeoniae rubra and Litusticam wallichii, a reproducible and stable chromatographic method was established. Then, chromatographic data were processed with the uniform chromatographic method. Information of retention time, UV spectra and molecular weight was obtained in HPLC-PAD-MS run. By comparing retention time, UV spectra and molecular weight of each peak in co-decoction with those of Radices paeoniae rubra and Litusticam wallichii, the origin of each peak in co-decoction was confirmed. Finally, the chemical changes of compatibility of Radices paeoniae rubra and Litusticam wallichii in co-decoction were compared with those of combined-decoction. The results indicate that two peaks change in content and one peak regenerate after compatibility.

Key words: High-performance liquid chromatography-photodiode array detector-mass spectrometry(HPLC-PAD-MS), Chinese medicine, Herb compatibility