Exploring on the bioactive markers of Codonopsis Radix by correlation analysis between chemical constituents and pharmacological effects

Codonopsis Radix is a commonly used traditional Chinese medicine, and has the effect of strengthening spleen and tonifying lung, nourishing blood and engendering liquid. In addition, it is also used as important food materials. The aim of the study was to explain the underlying correlations between chemical constituents and pharmacological effects and explore the bioactive markers of Codonopsis Radix. Codonopsis Radix samples from Min county, Gansu province processed with different methods were taken as the materials, UPLC-ESI-Q-TOF-MS/MS analysis was conducted to identify the compounds and establish UPLC fingerprint. Meanwhile, hematopoietic and immunologic functions of Codonopsis Radix were investigated to obtain relevant pharmacological index. Then, the correlation analysis between chemical constituents in UPLC fingerprints and pharmacological effects was carried out. The plant name was confirmed to the database "The Plant List" (www.theplantlist.org). According to the results of canonical correlation analysis, tryptophan, syringin, tangshenoside I, codonopyrrolidium A, lobetyolin and two unknown compounds might be the potential bioactive markers related to the hematopoietic and immunologic functions of Codonopsis Radix, which could be recommended as the index compounds. This study illustrated the underlying correlations between chemical constituents and pharmacological effects, explored the pharmacological material basis, and could lay a foundation for the improvement of quality standard of Codonopsis Radix.