Analysis of Alkaloids in Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata and Prediction of Their Mechanism in the Treatment of Cancer

OBJECTIVE  To quantify the alkaloids in aqueous extract of Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata(Fuzi in Chinese) by ultra performance liquid chromatography coupled with triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS), meanwhile investigate the anti-cancer mechanism of these alkaloids by network pharmacology. This article aimed to provide a reference for the material basis of anticancer effect of Fuzi.METHODS  UPLC-MS/MS was used to analyze 12 alkaloids in Fuzi aqueous extract. The alkaloids and disease targets were predicted by Swiss Target Prediction and Gene Cards platform. The related function network was constructed by Cytoscape software. Finally, the key gene was analyzed by GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis.RESULTS  Monoester alkaloids accounted for the highest proportion (59.07%), followed by alcohol amine alkaloids (29.48%). Network pharmacology speculated that MTAP (methylthioadenosine phosphorylase) and ABCB1 (ATP binding cassette subfamily B member 1) genes were the key targets for the anticancer efficacies of active alkaloids. The key targets were closely related to inflammatory response, phosphatidylinositol-mediated signaling, HIF-1 signaling pathway, estrogen signaling pathway and central carbon metabolism in cancer.CONCLUSION  The developed method can determine 12 kinds of alkaloids in Fuzi simultaneously. The method is simple, feasible, accurate and reliable, which can provide the basis for clinical anticancer application and laid the foundation for further molecular biological research of Fuzi.