Based
on the fingerprint of Lycii Cortex
and combined with network pharmacology, potential quality marker (Q-Marker) of Lycii Cortex was screened under the
guidance of the "Five Principles", and its quantitative analysis
method was established to provide reference for quality control of Lycii Cortex. In this study, high
performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to establish the fingerprint
of 20 batches of Lycii Cortex,
and combined with chemometric analysis, the differential markers of Lycii Cortex from different origins
were screened out, and then the core targets and key pathways of the
characteristic components of Lycii
Cortex were obtained by network pharmacology and other methods, and the
"component target pathway" network was drawn to screen the core
components of Lycii Cortex for
the treatment of hypertension, hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia (referred to as
"three hypers"). Based on the "Five Principles", the
potential Q-Marker for the treatment of "three hypers" by Lycii Cortex was finally screened
out, and its quantitative analysis method was established by HPLC, and its
content was determined. The fingerprint of Lycii Cortex was established, and 12 common peaks were
identified. Six peaks were identified by the reference substance, which were
N-caffeoylputrescine,
feruloylputrescine, kukoamine B, kukoamine A, lyciumin A, and lyciumin B. According to the
chemometrics analysis,
N-caffeoylputrescine,
feruloylputrescine, kukoamine B, kukoamine A, lyciumin A, and lyciumin B were selected as
the differential markers of different origin. Furthermore, the network
pharmacology analysis revealed three principal components: feruloylputrescine,
kukoamine B, and kukoamine A. Additionally, key targets were identified,
including the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), mitogen-activated
protein kinase 10 (MAPK10), MAPK8, MAPK14, estrogen receptor 1 (ESR1), and
nitric oxide synthase 3 (NOS3). The analysis also highlighted significant
cancer-related signaling pathways, such as those involved in cancer signaling,
cancer proteoglycans, the MAPK signaling pathway, endocrine resistance, and the
complement and coagulation cascade. These findings suggested potential
therapeutic applications of Lycii Cortex in addressing the "three
hypers" conditions. Based on the guidance of "Five Principles",
this study finally screened out the potential Q-Marker of kukoamine A
and kukoamine B for the treatment of "three hypers", and
established the content determination method, with the content of 0.19% - 0.97%
and 1.77% - 5.66%. Therefore, HPLC fingerprint of Lycii Cortex
have been established, and combined with
chemometrics and network pharmacology, the potential Q-Marker of Lycii Cortex in the treatment of
"three hypers" was predicted, which provide scientific basis and
reference for the quality control and quality evaluation of Lycii Cortex
.