Exploring the Material Basis of Taxillus chinensis in the Treatment of Hyperuricemia Nephropathy Through Absorbed Into Blood Component Analysis and Network Pharmacology

Abstract

Taxillus chinensis (DC) Danser (T. chinensis) is broadly used in traditional Chinese medicine. Although pharmacological research shows that the ethyl acetate extract of T. chinensis (JEA) has beneficial effects in treating hyperuricemic nephropathy (HN), the active components and potential mechanisms for these effects remain unclear. This study aims to predict the effective components and mechanism of JEA for HN. Firstly, we adopted UHPLC-Q-Exactive HFXMS technology to analyze the chemical profile of JEA and the absorbed prototype ingredients in rat plasma. In addition, network pharmacology methods were utilized by us to elaborate on the active compounds, signaling pathways, and potential mechanisms of JEA in treating HN. Finally, a UPLC method was established to screen potential chemicals that can effectively inhibit the activity of xanthine oxidase (XOD). A total of 92 components were systematically characterized in JEA. Of those, 46 compounds were identified in the plasma of rats administered with JEA extract. Through network pharmacology, 10 potential active components, 10 crucial target genes, and 20 pathways were predicted to be involved in the JEA-mediated treatment of HN. The molecular docking results indicated that oxyresveratrol, isorhammeiol, and robinetwere exhibited strong binding affinities for GAPDH, PPARG, and ALB. The analysis of the XOD inhibition experiment suggested that dihydromyricetin and oxyresveratrol exhibited potent inhibitory effects on XOD, with IC₅₀ values of 0.48 and 0.68 mg·mL⁻¹. This study preliminarily identified the potential effective components of JEA and revealed its underlying molecular mechanisms of action in preventing HN, which will improve our further studies on JEA to treat HN.