An integrated chemical analysis and network pharmacology approach to identify quality markers of Actinidia eriantha Benth radix on gastric cancer

Abstract Introduction Actinidia eriantha Benth radix (AEBR) is one of the most commonly used medicines by the She people in China, used primarily for the treatment of tumours of the digestive tract. There is currently limited to no data on the quality control of AEBR. Objectives The aim of this study was to identify quality markers of AEBR. Material and Methods An ultra‐performance lquid chromatography quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (UPLC‐QTOF‐MS) method was used to identify and analyse the components of AEBR from water extracts. An ultra‐performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC–MS/MS) method was also established for the simultaneous determination of 13 active components in the water extracts. The network pharmacology method was used to screen for quality markers of AEBR in gastric cancer. Results This study tentatively identified 199 chemical constituents and isomers, including 67 pentacyclic triterpenoids, 20 flavonoids, 39 phenolic acids, 18 coumarins, and other compounds. The 13 active components in the water extracts were successfully determined using a validated UPLC–MS/MS method. Based on the network pharmacology method, four compounds were selected as quality markers of AEBR. Conclusion This study provides an important reference for the quality control of AEBR. Chemical analysis combined with network pharmacology provides an effective strategy for the discovery of quality markers in traditional Chinese/herb medicine.