Substitutability evaluation and resource utilization of non‐medicinal parts of Ardisia crenata Sims, a traditional ethnic medicine

The severe scarcity of wild resources of Ardisia crenata Sims (AS) has greatly limited its current clinical and pharmaceutical applications. We aimed to demonstrate the substitutability of stems and leaves for AS roots. In this study, 28 local samples from the Guizhou Province of China were selected for a comprehensive comparison of quality markers, chemical composition and efficacy. HPLC analysis showed that both stems and leaves contained bergenin, the main active ingredient of AS. Metabolomics studies showed that the chemical composition of the three parts was 99% similar. Network pharmacology analysis showed that similar signalling targets including STAT3 and MAPK1, AKT1 and EP300, SRC and TP53, were targeted by three parts. Animal experiments further demonstrated that extracts from the three different parts of the plant relieved the pathological symptoms of acute pharyngitis, and decreased serum inflammatory factors, showing similar efficacy. In sum, these findings strongly proved that stems and leaves can be used as supplements or substitutes for roots, providing a powerful strategy to solve the problem of AS resource shortage and greatly promoting the optimal utilization of AS. The study also anticipated some additional benefits, including the expansion of natural sources of bergenin and the discovery of potential cancer-related targets of AS.