Exploring the Effects of Siegesbeckiae Herba and Its Fractionated Components on Neuroendocrine Metabolism in Rats With Heat Syndrome Based on Metabolomics

Siegesbeckiae herba (SH) with a cold nature exerts therapeutic effects including dispelling wind-dampness, benefiting joints. This study aims to explore the effects of SH and its fractionated components on neuroendocrine metabolism functions in heat syndrome rats and to clarify the property attribution of each component. The main components of SH were isolated via modern separation techniques. A heat syndrome rat model was established by administration of levothyroxine sodium. Metabolomics was employed to screen differential expressed metabolites (DEMs) and metabolic pathways, and indicators related to neuroendocrine metabolism were determined. A total of 107 DEMs involving 17 pathways were screened out. It was found that SH and its fractions could inhibit the abnormally activated metabolic pathways in hot syndrome rats. Among them, the terpenoids fraction showed the optimal regulatory effect on neurotransmitter imbalance, excessive activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis, and energy/substance metabolism disorders and was confirmed as the main material basis for the cold nature of SH. This study demonstrates that SH and its fractionated components exert therapeutic effects on heat syndromes by regulating the neuroendocrine energy metabolism and related pathways. This provides scientific support for the clinical syndrome differentiation application and further development of SH.