Identification of anti-inflammatory components in Panax ginseng of Sijunzi Decoction based on spectrum-effect relationship

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to identify the main medicinal active components of Panax ginseng (P. ginseng) in the compatibility environment of clinical application. For this purpose, the anti-inflammatory ingredients of P. ginseng were investigated based on its therapeutic effect in Sijunzi Decoction (SJD) which is a widely used traditional Chinese formula. METHODS: The fingerprints of 10 batches of SJD consisting of different sources of P. ginseng were established by UPLC technique to investigate the chemical components. At the same time, the anti-inflammatory effects of these components were evaluated by dextran sulfate sodium-induced ulcerative colitis mouse model. Grey relational analysis was applied to explore the correlation degree between fingerprints and anti-inflammatory effects in SJD. Lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW264.7 murine macrophages were established to evaluate the anti-inflammatory action of the screened effective substances of P. ginseng. RESULTS: According to grey relational analysis, notoginsenoside R(1), ginsenoside Rg(2) and ginsenoside Rb(3) of P. ginseng were the major anti-inflammatory contributions in SJD. They had been proven to be closely associated with the anti-inflammatory process of SJD and displayed a close effect compared with SJD by LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 murine macrophages. CONCLUSION: Our work provides a general strategy for exploring the pharmacological ingredients of P. ginseng in traditional Chinese formulas which is beneficial for establishing the quality standards of traditional herbs in traditional Chinese medicine prescription based on their clinical therapeutic effect.