Integrating background subtraction and metabolomics technology to study the difference of serum chemical profile before and after compatibility of Radix Bupleuri and Radix Paeoniae Alba

Background: Radix Bupleuri-Radix Paeoniae Alba (CH-BS) is a common clinical herb pair, which is often used to treat depression. However, there is little known about the difference in serum chemical profile before and after the compatibility of Radix Bupleuri (CH) and Radix Paeoniae Alba (BS). Objectives: Here, an effective strategy has been developed for screening differences of constituents in vivo before and after compatibility by integrating background subtraction and metabolomics technology. Materials and Methods: First, to obtain the chemical composition from the CH in vivo before compatibility, the Liquid chromatography/Mass spectrometry (LC/MS) data of serum samples in the control group were subtracted from serum samples in the CH group based on the background subtraction method. Moreover, the chemical composition from the CH in vivo after compatibility was obtained by subtracting the LC/MS data of serum samples in the BS group from serum samples in the CH-BS compatibility group. Finally, the difference in the chemical composition from the CH in vivo before and after compatibility was screened and analyzed by metabolomics. Meanwhile, the difference in chemical composition from the BS in vivo before and after the compatibility was found according to the same thought with BS. Results: The results showed that three prototype components were significantly decreased and seven metabolites were significantly increased in CH after compatibility. And eight prototype components and six metabolites were significantly increased in BS after compatibility. Conclusion: An effective strategy has been developed for screening differences of constituents in vivo before and after compatibility by combining background subtraction and metabolomics.