Identification of the active compounds in the Yi-Fei-San-Jie formula using a comprehensive strategy based on cell extraction/UPLC-MS/MS, network pharmacology, and molecular biology techniques

Background: Chinese herbal formulae has multiple active constituents and targets, and the good clinical response is encouraging more scientists to explore the bio-active ingredients in such complex systems. Yi-Fei-San-Jie formula (YFSJF) is commonly used to treat patients with lung cancer in South China; however, its bio-active ingredients remain unknown. Purpose: We investigated the bio-active ingredients of the YFSJF using a novel comprehensive strategy. Methods: A549 cell extraction coupled with ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) was used for the screening of potential bio-active ingredients. Network pharmacology approach and molecular dynamics simulation were performed for the screening of targets. Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) assay and molecular biology techniques were used to verify the targets. Results: Nine A549 cell membrane-binding compounds were identified through cell extraction/UPLC-MS/MS. Five compounds, namely ginsenoside Ro, ginsenoside Rb1, ginsenoside Rc, peimisine, and peimine were cyto-toxic to A549 cells, and they were considered the bio-active ingredients of the YFSJF in vitro. Network phar-macology analysis revealed that TGFBR2 is the key target and the TGF beta pathway is the key pathway targeted by YFSJF in non-small cell lung cancer. Peimisine showed an affinity to TGFBR2 using molecular docking and dynamic stimulation, which was confirmed using surface plasmon resonance spectroscopy. The molecular biology-based analysis further confirmed that peimisine targets TGFBR2 and can reverse A549 epithelial-mesenchymal transition by inhibiting the TGF beta pathway. Conclusion: Taken together, cell extraction/UPLC-MS/MS, network pharmacology, and molecular biology-based analysis comprise a feasible strategy to explore active ingredients in YFSJF.