Objective On the basis of the requirements of ancient prescriptions, combined with modern technical means, the ancient decoction and modern decoction methods of Gualou (Trichosanthis Fructus) were compared. Methods Trichosanthis Fructus was soaked in rice wine (ancient method) and purified water (modern method) for 30 min, then decocted for 180 min. Samples were analyzed by UHPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap MS on a Hypersil GOLD aQ column (100 mm × 2.1 mm, 1.9 μm), with 0.1% formic acid acetonitrile–0.1% formic acid water as mobile phase by gradient elution (0.3 mL/min, 35 °C, 1 μL). ESI data were acquired in positive and negative modes (m/z 100—1 500). Data were processed using Thermo Scientific Xcalibur. Chemical constituents in different Trichosanthis Fructus decoctions were identified and analyzed based on MS data, reference standards, literature, and fragmentation patterns. Results Compared with the conventional modern decoction method, the ancient decoction method of Trichosanthis Fructus yielded more compound types. A total of 44 compounds were identified in ancient decoction samples versus 39 in modern decoction samples. The contents of major components such as arginine, lysine, guanine, adenine,and hypoxanthine were significantly higher in the ancinet decoction than in the modern decoction. Histidine, citrulline, 5-hydroxymethylfurfural, medicarpin, vanillic acid, chrysoeriol, diosmetin, kaempferide, and paeonol were identified exclusively in the ancient decoction samples of Trichosanthis Fructus. Conclusion This study confirmed that the ancient decoction method can more effectively extract or transform the chemical components in Trichosanthis Fructus, which may be the material basis for its unique clinical efficacy. It is worthy of attention and further research in clinical application.

UHPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap MS  /  Trichosanthis Fructus  /  ancient decoction method  /  modern decoction method  /  arginine  /  lysine  /  guanine