Phytochemicals, antioxidant activity and potential mechanism of the Astragalus sinicus L. flower extracts against AAPH-induced oxidative stress in HepG2 cells

Abstract

Chinese milk vetch (CMV) is often widely studied as the most important green manure crop, while there is limited information available on exploring the functional role in human health of this edible plant material. In the present work, the phytochemical profile of the CMV flower (CMVF) extract was determined using the UPLC-Q-TOF-MS, and its antioxidant capacity on AAPH-treated HepG2 cells was evaluated. A total of 78 compounds mainly including phenols, flavonoids, esters, and organic acids were identified in CMVF extracts. The CMVF extract revealed significant (p < 0.01) cytoprotective effect against the AAPH-induced oxidative damage in HepG2 cells, with the enzyme activity of CAT returned to the normal cellular level when the concentration of CMVF extract was 0.3 mg/mL. Among the 78 compounds, 23 of which were recognized as the most promising antioxidants via various signaling pathways such as PI3K-Akt and MAPK based on the prediction results of network pharmacology, and 5 (cyanidol, eupalinolide A, 2′,3,4′,5,7-pentahydroxyflavone, physalin M, and neokurarinol) of which were identified as key antioxidant metabolites due to their high degree values. These studies could enhance our understanding of the active ingredients and health benefits of CMVF and provide a theoretical basis for their further development and utilization.