Exploring Active Ingredients of Hepatoprotective Effect of Raw and Stir‐Baked Gardeniae Fructus Based on Spectrum–Effect Relationship Analysis

Gardeniae Fructus (GF) has been used as a hepatoprotective medicine; however, the active ingredients of GF against cholestatic liver injury (CLI) remain unclear. This study aims to explore active ingredients of the hepatoprotective effects of raw GF (RGF) and stir-baked GF (SGF) by spectrum-effect relationship analysis. A total of 32 common peaks were recorded in RGF and SGF HPLC fingerprints, and nine of them were structurally characterized. Both RGF and SGF demonstrated hepatoprotective effects in an ANIT-induced CLI rat model. The spectrum-effect relationship analysis results showed that peaks 3 (gardenoside), 4, 5 (jasminoside B), 6 (genipin 1-gentiobioside), 8 (geniposide), 9, 16, 17, 19, and 22 were determined as the potential active ingredients of GF against CLI. Notably, gardenoside, jasminoside B, and genipin 1-gentiobioside exhibited good hepatoprotective effects. The research establishes a research foundation for the future quality control and medicinal application of GF.