Predictive analysis of Q-marker of Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma based on network pharmacology combined with qualitative and quantitative research / 中草药

ABSTRACT

Objective: To make a preliminary prediction of the Q-marker of Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma from the perspective of the effectiveness and measurability of chemical components based on the concept of Q-marker of Chinese materia medica. Methods: Based on literature integration and data analysis, the source range of Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma Q-marker was screened, and the effectiveness of the ingredients was analyzed through network pharmacology. Qualitative and quantitative analysis of 15 batches of Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma from four places of origin was performed by HPLC. The pattern recognition method was used to screen out the main marker components that caused the differences between groups, which were combined with network pharmacological results to further determine the Q-marker of Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma. Results: Literature studies had determined that flavonoids and triterpenoids were the main source of Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma Q-marker; Network pharmacology results showed that liquiritin, glycyrrhizic acid and other components had high connectivity in the "component-target-pathway" network and were the main active components; The fingerprints of 15 batches of Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma samples were established, and five components, including liquiritin and liquiritin apioside, were identified as the main marker components by PLS-DA analysis; The content determination results of liquiritin, liquiritin apioside, glycyrrhizic acid and glycyrrhetinic acid showed that there were significant differences in the content of ingredients among different production areas. The qualitative and quantitative research on pharmacology combined with network pharmacology revealed that liquiritin, liquiritin apioside, glycyrrhizic acid and glycyrrhetinic acid can be used as Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma Q-marker. Conclusion: Taking flavonoids and triterpenoids as the source of Q-marker for Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, the qualitative and quantitative (measurability) study of Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma herbs from multiple producing areas combined with network pharmacology (effectiveness) revealed liquiritin, liquiritin apioside, glycyrrhizic acid and glycyrrhetinic acid as the potential Q-marker of Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma are scientific and reasonable, which provide reference for quality control of Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma.