Integrated network pharmacology and GC–MS‐based metabolomics to investigate the chemical profile and efficacy of Anemarrhenae Rhizoma and its processed products

RATIONALE: Anemarrhenae Rhizoma (AR) has been a frequently utilized traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for an extended period, with its salt-processed variant being a prevalent application form. Contemporary pharmacological investigations have demonstrated that the salt-processed iteration exhibits a multitude of markedly augmented pharmacological properties. However, whether the pharmacodynamic material basis of this change is related to volatile substances remains unclear. The aim of this study was to develop a strategy to screen volatile pharmacodynamic substances in AR and salt-processed AR (SAR). METHODS: A comprehensive approach was developed to identify volatile pharmacodynamic compounds by integrating plant metabolomics, target network pharmacology, and molecular docking technology. Plant metabolomics using GC-MS analysis was conducted to identify volatile chemical markers distinguishing between AR and SAR. Subsequently, network pharmacology was utilized to investigate the correlation between chemical markers and associated diseases. Following this, molecular docking technology was utilized to explore the correlation between chemical markers and disease targets, resulting in the discovery of potential quality control markers. RESULTS: Fifty volatile compounds were isolated and identified in the salt of AR and SAR. The findings from plant metabolomics analysis demonstrated a distinct differentiation, revealing 13 volatile chemical markers that distinguish between AR and SAR. A target (PPARG) associated with diabetes was identified through target network pharmacology analysis. Thirteen volatile components were subsequently chosen as potential quality markers, taking into account their hypoglycemic activity. CONCLUSIONS: The method developed provides a novel strategy for the identification of pharmacophores in AR and SAR, as well as establishing a foundation for the exploration of the volatile differential components and pharmacodynamics in various processed products of TCMs. Additionally, the findings of this study can serve as a theoretical framework for the development and utilization of volatile components in AR and its processed derivatives.