| Abstract:Objective: Gardenia, a commonly used traditional Chinese medicine, is traditionally used to treat jaundice and hepatitis. Although the pharmacopoeia identifies its source plant as Gardenia jasminoides Ellis, there is a phenomenon of adulteration with G. jasminoides var. Radicans Makino in the market. This study aims to compare the components and mechanisms of G. jasminoides Ellis and G. jasminoides var. Radicans Makino using network pharmacology methods, thoroughly exploring the medicinal potential of WG. Methods: Network pharmacology and molecular docking methods were used to compare the main components of G. jasminoides Ellis and G. jasminoides var. Radicans Makino and their mechanisms of action in treating jaundice and hepatitis. Additionally, cell experiments using RAW 264.7 cells were conducted to evaluate the effects of Geniposide, Genipin, Crocin, Crocin II, and Crocetin on cell viability (CCK-8), nitric oxide (NO) production, and the secretion levels of TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: G. jasminoides Ellis and G. jasminoides var. Radicans Makino showed multiple common targets in the treatment of jaundice and hepatitis. GO and KEGG analyses revealed high similarity, pointing to inflammation-related pathways. Toxicity prediction and molecular docking identified five shared compounds between G. jasminoides Ellis and G. jasminoides var. Radicans Makino —Crocin, Crocin II, Geniposide, Genipin, and Crocetin. These compounds exhibited significant proliferative effects on LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells and significant inhibitory effects on inflammatory factors NO, TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β. Conclusion: Through network pharmacology comparative analysis, we found that G. jasminoides Ellis and G. jasminoides var. Radicans Makino have similar chemical bases and mechanisms of action in treating jaundice and hepatitis. The shared components Geniposide, Genipin, Crocin, Crocin II, and Crocetin showed significant therapeutic potential. Although the medicinal use of G. jasminoides var. Radicans Makino has not been widely accepted, this study provides new perspectives and clues for its development. |
