Filtration of Active Components with Antioxidant Activity Based on the Differing Antioxidant Abilities of Schisandrae Sphenantherae Fructus and Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus through UPLC/MS Coupling with Network Pharmacology.

Yang Xin,Yang Yang,Haijun Wang,Kaichen Yu,Hicham Harhar

doi:10.1155/2021/5547976

Abstract

This study attempted to filter active components with antioxidant activities based on the differing antioxidant abilities of Schisandrae Sphenantherae Fructus (SSF) and Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus (SCF). First, the antioxidant activity of SSF and SCF was evaluated through the DPPH free radical scavenging method and compared with the half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) value. Next, components of SSF and SCF were detected by employing ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography-Q-Exactive Orbitrap mass spectrometry (UPLC-QEO/MS) technology, and differential compounds were screened out as potential antioxidant compounds by using Compound Discover 3.1 Software. After that step, in order to verify the antioxidant compounds, the network method was applied. Biological targets were searched in the GeneCards database, and that related to antioxidant ability were selected in the Comparative Toxicogenomics Database (CTD). Finally, the pharmacology network was constructed. Results showed that SSF and SCF possessed different compounds and antioxidant abilities. A total of 14 differential compounds such as γ-schizandrin, schisandrin B, schisandrin, and tigloylgomisin H between them were screened out and identified. Twenty targets associated with antioxidant activity contained MAP2K1, MAPK8, RPS6KB1, PRKCB, HIF1A, and so on were investigated. Thirty-six pathways contained HIF-1 signaling pathways, choline metabolism in cancer, serotonergic synapse, Fc epsilon RI signaling pathway, GnRH signaling pathway, and so on related to the above twenty targets were identified. The pharmacology network analysis indicated that the differential components may be helpful in treating various diseases, especially cancer, by exerting antioxidant activity. In conclusion, this study provided a novel method for identifying active components with antioxidant activity in SSF and SCF, and this method may be applicable for the filtration of bioactive components in other herbs.

Highlights

Antioxidation is a process that can effectively inhibit the oxidation reaction caused by free radicals. e mechanism of antioxidation involves either an action on free radicals or the consumption of substances that can generate free radicals.Free radicals are constantly produced in the body due to exposure to the environment through processes such as respiration, air pollution, and radiation
For UV, the RSD% of accuracy and stability was less than 0.5%
All the RSD% values were less than 5%, which indicated that the accuracy and stability of the analytical method were acceptable

Summary

Introduction

Antioxidation is a process that can effectively inhibit the oxidation reaction caused by free radicals. e mechanism of antioxidation involves either an action on free radicals or the consumption of substances that can generate free radicals.Free radicals are constantly produced in the body due to exposure to the environment through processes such as respiration (oxidation reaction), air pollution, and radiation. Schisandrae Sphenantherae Fructus (SSF) and Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus (SCF) are both well-known Chinese herbal medicines, and SSF is primarily produced in the central and southern part of China, whereas SCF is primarily produced in northern China. These medicines possess some similar pharmacological actions, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anxiolytic effects [5], SCF and SSF exhibit differences in chemical components [6] and other pharmacological actions [7], which might be the reason why SCF is more popular in Chinese medicine than SSF. These medicines possess some similar pharmacological actions, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anxiolytic effects [5], SCF and SSF exhibit differences in chemical components [6] and other pharmacological actions [7], which might be the reason why SCF is more popular in Chinese medicine than SSF. erefore, conducting a study simultaneously comparing the components and biological activities, as well as their connections, was of interest

Results

Discussion

Conclusion