Exploring the potential mechanism of Aralia chinensis L. saponins in treating gastric ulcers based on UPLC-Q-Exactive-MS/MS method combined with network pharmacology

Abstract

This study explores the active components and mechanisms of Aralia chinensis L. saponins in treating gastric ulcers based on UPLC-Q-Exactive-MS/MS technology and network pharmacology. Fifty-four chemical components were identified through UPLC-Q-Exactive-MS/MS, and 14 active components were screened. Swiss ADME and Swiss Target Prediction were utilised to determine the component targets, and the intersection with disease targets yielded 35 core targets. GO functional enrichment and KEGG pathway analysis were conducted using DAVID 2021, generating 181 entries and 36 pathways, respectively. Molecular docking results demonstrated good binding activity between the components and target proteins. The study indicates that Saponins from Aralia chinensis L. primarily act on core targets such as PTGS2, ESR1, and STAT3 through components like Cucurbitacin D and Cucurbitacin E, regulating signalling pathways such as Serotonergic synapse and Pathways in cancer, thereby exerting therapeutic effects on gastric ulcers.

Keywords: Aralia chinensis L; UPLC-Q-Exactive-MS/MS; gastric ulcer; molecular docking; network pharmacology; saponins.