Research on Quality Markers of Moutan Cortex: Quality Evaluation and Quality Standards of Moutan Cortex

Objective To identify the quality markers of Moutan Cortex(MC) and establish the quality evaluation methods for multi-component assay and fingerprinting of MC. Methods The chemical constituents in MC were identified by HPLC-QTOF-MS. UPLC was employed for the multi-component assay and fingerprinting of MC. Furthermore, text mining was carried out to review the biosynthesis pathways and pharmacological and pharmacokinetic studies related to MC, and in silico target fishing was conducted to construct compound-target networks for MC. Results Sixteen compounds were clearly identified in MC and their structures were confirmed through comparison with literature data. In addition, the biosynthetic pathways and component specificities of the identified compounds were summarized and confirmed by text mining.Pharmacological activities, including traditional usage and modern pharmacological studies were summarized. A total of 282 targets from Homo sapiens were fished for 13 compounds. In addition, pharmacokinetic studies of different compounds were synopsized. Finally, multi-component assay and fingerprint of MC were established. Conclusion Eight major components are selected as quality markers of MC, such as oxypaeoniflorin, apiopaeonoside, albiflorin, paeonolide, paeoniflorin, 1,2,3,4,6-penta-O-galloyl-β-D-glucose, mudanpioside C and paeonol. These eight quality markers are successfully applied to the quality evaluation of MC, and could be useful in improving the current quality standards of MC.