Prediction and quality evaluation of quality markers of Gentiana scabra Bunge. in treatment of liver injury
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Introduction: Bunge. (GSB) has been demonstrated to exert nourishing effectson the liver and gallbladder. Notably, GSB extract has a marked therapeutic effect on liver injury (LI). However, the quality markers (Q-markers) of GSB associated with this effect remain unclear. Moreover, no study to date has evaluated the quality of GSB from different producing areas based on such Q-markers. Methods: cell experiments. Finally, the identified Q-markers were quantified to assess the quality of GSB samples from different producing areas. Results: First, the HPLC fingerprints of 44 batches of GSB from differentproducing areas were established, revealing 25 common peaks. Principal component analysis (PCA) and Orthogonal Partial Least Squares Discriminant Analysis (OPLS-DA) of the 25 peak areas resulted in the identification of five components based on Variable Importance in Projection (VIP) values >1. Subsequently, these small-molecule components of GSB were screened for interaction with liver proteins, leading to the identification of three components with strong efficacy, namely, swertiamarin, gentiopicroside, and sweroside, which were designated as Q-markers of GSB associated with liver injury treatment. Furthermore, the therapeutic efficacy of these Q-markers was validated using a hydrogen peroxide-induced NCTC 1469 cell injury model. Finally, the Q-markers were quantified, and the quality of GSB samples from different origins was evaluated through PCA, entropy-weighted Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS), and Hierarchical Cluster Analysis (HCA) based on the quantification results. Discussion: The potential Q-markers of GSB were predicted through the integration of HPLC fingerprinting, pattern recognition, and small molecule-protein interaction analysis. Cell experiment results showed that swertiamarin, gentiopicroside, and sweroside significantly alleviated liver cell injury. Quantitative analysis of the Q-markers identified significant differences in their contents across GSB samples from different producing areas. This methodology provides a novel and comprehensive framework for defining Q-markers and evaluating GSB quality.
Source: Frontiers in Pharmacology
Authors: Jiayi Liu, Xuelin Yu, Jiayi Luo, Dan Wang, Haibo Yin
Institution: Liaoning University of Traditional Chinese Medicine
Language: English
Subfield: Complementary and alternative medicine
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,801
OpenAlex ID: W4415949167