Quality consistency evaluation on three species of NorthPatrininae herba by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ion trap time-of-flight mass spectrometry and network pharmacology approaches.

Abstract

North Patrininae herba, a perennial herbaceous plant, has long been used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat appendicitis, enteritis, and dysentery. Sonchus arvensis L., Sonchus oleraceus L., and Ixeris chinensis (Thunb.) Nakai are used as substitutes for North Patrininae in different regions, but the consistency of chemical composition and efficacy of these three species is still unknown. In this study, a detailed chemical analysis was carried out of the extract obtained from Sonchus arvensis L., Ixeris chinensis (Thunb.) Nakai and Sonchus oleraceus L. and a chemical component not previously reported in Ixeris chinensis (Thunb.) Nakai was found-Luteolin-7-O-(6''-malonylglucoside). The mechanism of action of the extract against inflammation and type II diabetes was investigated using network pharmacology and analysis of blood-absorbed components following oral dosing of rats. Finally, a highly accurate and reliable method was established for quality control purposes. The results showed that Sonchus arvensis L. and Sonchus oleraceus L. may be considered potential resources of a medicinal compound, whereas Ixeris chinensis (Thunb.) Nakai requires further evaluation.