Comprehensive characterization of the chemical composition of Lurong dabu decoction and its absorbed prototypes and metabolites in rat plasma using UHPLC–Q Exactive Orbitrap–HRMS

[Display omitted] •A novel UHPLC-HRMS method of high sensitivity and high resolution was developed to determine the material basis in the traditional Chinese Korean ethnic medicine prescription of LRDBD.•It is the first time that the material basis of LRDBD prescription and blood absorbed prototype constituents and their metabolites have been characterized.•After decocting, the components of LRDBD were compared with those of 8 single herbs, and the 23 ingredients were detected in LRDBD except for single herbs.•A total of 29 prototype constituents and 35 metabolites were identified in rat plasma after administration. More than 50% of prototype constituents were derived from antler velvet. It could reflect the correctness of the compatibility theory of Sasang medicine. Lurong Dabu decoction (LRDBD) is an effective traditional Chinese Korean ethnic medicine prescription composed of eight herbs, which is used for treating asthma. However, its material basis has not been studied yet. Herein, the use of a new and highly sensitive UHPLC–Q Exactive Orbitrap–HRMS technique is proposed for the high-resolution and accurate identification of the material basis of LRDBD. We identified 122 compounds belonging to different groups in LRDBD. Among these, 23 ingredients produced by decoction were identified and compared with 8 single herb compounds. Moreover, 39 other significantly different compounds were identified. Additionally, 29 absorbed prototype components and 35 metabolites were identified in rat plasma. Half of the prototype components were originated from antler velvet, it has corroborated the compatibility theory of Sasang medicine. To the best of our knowledge, the material basis of LRDBD was characterized for the first time. Our findings provide basic data and a method for further discovering potential drug targets and revealing the action mechanism of LRDBD in asthma treatment.