Quality Evaluation of Daribu‐5 Based on the Integrated Strategy of “Qualitative‐Quantitative‐Chemical Pattern Recognition‐Entropy Weight‐TOPSIS”

ABSTRACT The approach provides a reliable framework for standardization and quality control of Daribu‐5. Qualitative profiling was conducted on high‐performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole–orbitrap high‐resolution mass spectrometry (HPLC‐Q‐Exactive‐MS). Quantitative analysis was performed on HPLC–MS/MS. Eight marker constituents, namely, geniposide, liquiritin, rutin, quercetin, isorhamnetin, glycyrrhizic acid, costunolide, and dehydrocostus lactone, were quantified across 15 batches of Daribu‐5 by multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) in negative ion mode. The resulting data were analyzed using the Wei Sheng Xin platform and SIMCA 14.1. Quality‐discriminating markers were identified as variables with variable importance in projection (VIP) >1.0. The entropy‐weighted TOPSIS method was then applied to rank the overall quality of the batches. Seventy‐nine components were identified in Daribu‐5. The eight marker compounds exhibited excellent linearity within their respective ranges ( r ≥ 0.9990) cluster analysis (CA), principal component analysis (PCA), and orthogonal partial least squares‐discriminant analysis (OPLS‐DA) classified the 15 batches into two distinct groups: S3, S8–S9, and S13 formed one cluster, whereas S1–S2, S4–S7, S10–S12, and S14–S15 formed another. Four differential markers, glycyrrhizic acid, isorhamnetin, quercetin, and rutin, were identified as the main contributors to quality variation (VIP > 1.0). Entropy‐weighted TOPSIS analysis revealed Euclidean closeness values ranging from 0.182 to 0.663, indicating significant batch‐to‐batch variability. Among the samples, S2, S4, S11, and S15 ranked highest in quality. The established method is rapid, reliable, and effective for both qualitative and quantitative evaluation of Daribu‐5. Chemical pattern recognition enables the identification of key quality markers, and when combined with entropy‐weighted TOPSIS, provides a comprehensive and objective framework for batch quality assessment and quality control of Daribu‐5.