UPLC-Q-TOF-MS, Network Pharmacology and Molecular Docking to Reveal the Antidepressant Mechanism of the Different Components of Medicinal and Edible Lilies (Lilium sp. pl).

Background and objectives: To explore the mechanism of action of the differential components of medicinal and edible lilies in treating depression by network pharmacology using UPLC-Q-TOF-MS technology.

Methods: The chemical composition of medicinal and edible lilies was analyzed, screening for unique medicinal compounds. Searched for depression-related targets. Constructed PPI networks. Performed GO and KEGG analyses. Built a network of differential components, and conducted molecular docking. In addition, the contents of regaloside before and after lily processing were compared Results: Medicinal lilies and edible lilies have 17 main differences, including regaloside B and regaloside E. There are 179 targets for actives, 2690 for antidepressants, and 98 intersected. Core targets (7) led to 238 GO processes and 107 KEGG pathways. The molecular docking results showed that 17 components, including regaloside B, regaloside E, (25R)-3β,17α-Dihydroxy-5α- spirostan-6-one 3-O-α-L- rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)-β- D-glucopyranoside (Named: Lilium lancifolium saponin), etc. could act on 7 potential targets such as EGFR, HSP90AA1, STAT3, TNF, etc. to exert antidepressant effects.

Conclusion: This study employed a network pharmacology combined with a molecular docking approach to compare the active constituents of medicinal and edible lilies in antidepressants, and their pharmacological mechanisms, both theoretically and technically. The phytoconstituents were found to act mainly by inhibiting the inflammatory response in depression. Especially Lilium lancifolium saponin may have a close relationship with antidepressants. These results provide some justification for lilies in the treatment of depression.