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

ABSTRACT 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.