An Integrative Strategy for Discriminating Quality Markers of Tibetan Medicine Chebulae Fructus Based on Multidimensional Feature Network

Abstract

Chebulae Fructus (TCF) is a traditional Chinese medicine and Tibetan medicine with high medicinal value, but its quality control indicators still need clarification. In this study, a strategy was proposed to specify the quality markers (Q‐markers) of TCF by constructing a multidimensional feature network that includes dimensions of effectiveness, content, traceability, and specificity. Network pharmacology analysis was performed to validate the effectiveness of the chemical constituents in TCF through creating a TCF–component–disease–target–pathway network. By combining fingerprints analysis with UPLC‐QTOF‐MS, 17 differential components were identified among 19 batches of TCF samples. Serum pharmacochemical analysis on rats identified seven prototype components absorbed into the blood. The scores for the four dimensions were calculated using these identified components as candidates, and a multidimensional feature network based on the “spider‐web” model was constructed. Ultimately, chebulinic acid, ellagic acid, chebulagic acid, methyl gallate, gallic acid, chebulic acid, and trigalloylglucose were clarified as Q‐markers of TCF. These Q‐markers screened out in this study are closely linked to the efficacy of TCF and can serve as indicator components for quality control of TCF.