Chemical constituents of Huangqi decoction and their mechanisms in the treatment of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

We analyzed the main chemical constituents of Huangqi decoction by HPLC coupled with diode array and evaporative light scattering detectors (HPLC-DAD-ELSD). The study on the mechanism of Huangqi decoction was based on network pharmacology and included multi-components, multi-targets, and multi-pathways in the treatment of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The chemical "fingerprints" of 15 batches of Huangqi decoction were established. Network pharmacology was used to screen and analyze the targets and pathways of the components of Huangqi decoction, and a "component-target-pathway" network was constructed to predict the mechanism of Huangqi decoction for the treatment of NAFLD. HPLC analysis of Huangqi decoction revealed 27 common peaks and the main chemical constituents were identified. Gene ontology (GO) analysis and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis revealed that glycyrrhetinic acid, isoliquiritigenin, glycyrrhizic acid, astragaloside IV, liquiritigenin, and astragaloside І, the main active components of Huangqi decoction, may act on RAC-alpha serine/threonine-protein kinase (AKT1), interleukin-6 (IL-6), vascular endothelial cell growth factor A (VEGFA), mitogen-activated protein kinase 8 (MAPK8), and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), and may regulate pathways involving phosphatidylinositol-3-kinases (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT), insulin resistance, hypoxia inducible factor-1 (HIF-1), tumor necrosis factor (TNF), among others. A decrease in insulin resistance, a reduction of inflammation, and anti-oxidative stress-related effects may be the mechanism of Huangqi decoction for the treatment of NAFLD.