Q-Marker Prediction of Astragali Complanati Semen Based on Fingerprint and Network Pharmacology.

Background: Astragali Complanati, known in Chinese as Shayuanzi, is a common medicinal material in traditional Chinese medicine, mainly used for tonifying the kidney, supporting yang, consolidating essence, reducing urine, and other diseases.

Objective: The ultra performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) fingerprint of Astragali Complanati Semen (ACS) was established, and the Q-markers of ACS were analyzed by network pharmacology.

Methods: First, a UPLC fingerprint detection method was established for ACS, and the common peaks were identified by UPLC-MS/MS. The "component-target-pathway" network relationships of characteristic components of ACS were constructed by network pharmacology, and the potential quality markers (Q-markers) were predicted.

Results: A total of 24 common peaks were identified from the UPLC fingerprint of ACS, and 12 chromatographic peaks were identified by UPLC-MS/MS. A total of 12 Q-markers candidate components were screened out. Through network pharmacological analysis, it is predicted that myricetin 3-O-β-D-xylopyranosyl-(1-2)-[α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-6)]-β-D-glucopyranoside, myricetin 3-O-β-D-xylopyranosyl(1-2)-β-D-glucopyranoside, myricetin 3-β-D-glucopyranoside, cannabiscitrin, laricitrin-3-O-glucoside, leucoside, complanatoside B, complanatuside, complanatuside 6''-malonate, clycosin, rhamnocitrin 3-O-β-D-apiofuranosyl(1→2)-β-D-glucopyranoside, and 3-O-[5'''-O-feruloyl-beta-D-apiofuranosyl(1'''->2'')-beta-D-glucopyranosyl] rhamnocitrin are the Q-markers of ACS.

Conclusion: The method established in this study was accurate, reliable, simple, and practical and could be used as a reference method for ACS quality detection. Twelve Q-markers selected by network pharmacology could provide support and references for ACS QC.