Integrated approach on UPLC-QTOF/MS based active plasma component and metabolomics analysis of Gan Mai Da Zao decoction on the treatment of Alzheimer's disease in rats plasma and urine

Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia and affects human health. In this study, a classic prescription of Chinese Medicine Gan-Mai-Da-Zao decoction was used for treating Alzheimer's disease for the first time. Hence, firstly components of Gan-Mai-Da-Zao decoction in plasma were screened using UPLC-QTOF/MS. Then the MWM, HE and Metabolomics methods were used to examine the effect of Gan-Mai-Da-Zao decoction on Alzheimer's disease rats. The results showed 9 active components in ESI+ and 3 active components in ESI− of Gan-Mai-Da-Zao decoction in blood were identified, and Gan-Mai-Da-Zao decoction improved the learning and memory ability and pathological damage in Alzheimer's disease rats. 57 plasma metabolites and 21 urine metabolites were returned to normal in Alzheimer's disease model group after Gan-Mai-Da-Zao decoction treatment. 2-hydroxyestradiol, biotin, 4,6-dihydroxyquinoline, morphine-6-glucuronide, riboflavin can clearly distinguish between Gan-Mai-Da-Zao decoction-treated group and Alzheimer's disease model group involving steroid hormone biosynthesis, biotin metabolism, tryptophan metabolism, drug metabolism - cytochrome P450, and riboflavin metabolism pathway, which were the main pathways of Gan-Mai-Da-Zao decoction treatment on Alzheimer's disease. This study may bring a deeper understanding of the Alzheimer's disease-associated metabolic profile and the therapeutic mechanism of Gan-Mai-Da-Zao decoction on Alzheimer's disease.