UPLC-Q-TOF-MS and network pharmacology to reveal the mechanism of Guizhi Gegen decoction against type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic metabolic disease. Clinical studies have shown that the incidence and prevalence of T2DM has been on the rise globally in recent years, and the mortality rate is also increasing. Chinese herbs is multiple target for disease. Guizhi Gegen decoction (GZGGD) is one of the most alternative treatment for T2DM. However, the treatment mechanism is unclear. The composition of the GZGGD was determined by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry. The key targets and pathways were predicted by network pharmacology and molecular docking. In vivo experiments were performed to further verify and reveal the potential mechanism of action. We identified 44 active components of GZGGD (genistein, 26-hydroxyporicoic acid DM, puerarin, eugenol, and gentiobiose). Network pharmacology predicted key targets such as TNF, AKT1, TP53, EGFR, and STAT3, and AGE-RAGE, IL-17 signaling pathways were enriched. Molecular docking showed that the active components of GZGGD have good binding activity with the potential targets of T2DM. In vivo animal experiments showed improvement in white blood, fasting blood glucose, and inflammatory factor levels (INS, TC, TNF-α, and IL-6). This study clarifies the potential role of GZGGD in T2DM, which can help in the study of T2DM.