Development of a three-step-based novel strategy integrating DMPK with network pharmacology and bioactivity evaluation for the discovery of Q-markers of traditional Chinese medicine prescriptions: Danlou tablet as an example

•A three-step-based novel strategy integrating DMPK with network pharmacology and bioactivity evaluation was firstly proposed and applied to discover the Q-markers of TCM prescriptions.•The DMPK characteristics of DLT in rats were comprehensively described for the first time.•Five candidate Q-markers in DLT were successfully selected based on combined results of DMPK with network pharmacology and bioactivity evaluation.•The combined activity of the five candidate ingredients (nM level) is significantly better than the activity of their respective monomers (μM level).•Five components with multiple properties, including testability, quality transitivity and traceability from prescription to in vivo, effectiveness, and compatibility contribution, were defined as comprehensive and representative Q-markers of DLT.