Objective:

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To identify the active constituents of Paidu Qingzhi tablets by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS technique

and to reveal its potential targets and molecular mechanisms by network pharmacology.

Method:

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Chromatography separation was achieved on an ACQUITY UPLC HSS T3 column (2.1 mm×100 mm

1.8 μm) with mobile phase consisted of 0.1% formic acid aqueous solution and acetonitrile for gradient elution (0-17 min

95%-5%A; 17-17.01 min

5%-95%A; 17.01-20 min

95%A)

the flow rate was 0.3 mL·min

-1

the column temperature was 40 ℃. Data acquisition was carried out in electrospray ionization (ESI) under the negative ion mode

the scanning range was 50-1 200.Ingredients in Paidu Qingzhi tablets were identified according to reference substance

relative molecular weight

mass spectrometric cleavage rule and literature information. Multiple databases were used to retrieve the targets of these identified ingredients and related diseases treated by the tablets

and metabolic pathways. A visual network of " herbs-compounds-targets-pathways-diseases" was constructed by Cytoscape 3.7.1.

Result:

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A total of 33 active compounds in methanol extract of Paidu Qingzhi tablets were identified by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS

including 27 compounds from Rhei Radix et Rhizoma

4 compounds from Panacis Quinquefolii Radix

2 compounds from Ophiopogonis Radix. Totally 18 direct targets and 58 indirect targets corresponding to 31 ingredients were obtained

7 metabolic pathways including steroid hormone biosynthesis pathway

arachidonic acid metabolic pathway

insulin signaling pathway were strongly correlated with the treatment of hyperlipidemia

acne and simple obesity by Paidu Qingzhi tablets.

Conclusion:

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Ingredients of Paidu Qingzhi tablets are revealed by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS

based on these identified ingredients

targets and related metabolic pathways are visualized by network pharmacology. The current research can provide theoretical basis for quality control and clinical application of Paidu Qingzhi tablets.