Study on quality markers and action mechanisms of inulae flos on anti-hepatitis through network pharmacology and high-performance liquid chromatography fingerprints

Objective: The objective of the study is to combine network pharmacology with high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) to screen for quality markers (Q-markers) of Inulae Flos and predict mechanism on anti-hepatitis. Materials and Methods: Active ingredient library of Inulae Flos is structured using databases and the literature. “Compound-target-pathway” network on anti-hepatitis and protein–protein interaction (PPI) network are constructed using network pharmacology. Next, chromatographic fingerprints of Inulae Flos in 7 origins are obtained through HPLC, and chemometric analysis is implemented to identify chemical markers, which is combined with network pharmacology to identify Q-markers and detect content. Results: 1,6-O, O-Diacetylbritannilactone, Ivangustin, and Inulanolide A are key ingredients of Inulae Flos to interact with 82 potential targets related to anti-hepatitis. Furthermore, signal transducer and activator of transcription 3, tumor necrosis factor, interleukin-6, and transcription factor AP-1 are the core targets in the PPI network. Chromatographic fingerprints of the Inulae Flos define 20 common peaks and identify 8 peaks using reference substances. Through partial least square discriminant analysis, 7 compounds including caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid, and 1,6-O, O-Diacetylbritannilactone were main chemical markers for variability. 1,6-O, O-Diacetylbritannilactone is both a key ingredient and exclusive chemical marker. Therefore, 1,6-O, O-diacetylbritannilactone is a Q-marker of Inulae Flos, and the average content is 1.82 mg/g. Conclusion: 1,6-O, O-diacetylbritannilactone is determined to be a Q-marker of Inulae Flos.