Screening and mechanistic analysis of effective components from Eleutherococcus senticosus (Rupr. & Maxim.) Maxim. leaves in regulating Parkinson's disease model cells

Eleutherococcus senticosus (Rupr. & Maxim.) Maxim. leaves are commonly used to alleviate neurological disorders. This study aims to screen the effective components that regulate Parkinson's disease model cells. Firstly, the HPLC fingerprints of E. senticosus leaf extracts were established. Meanwhile, a significant modulatory effect of E. senticosus leaf extract on the ROS and GSH levels, cell activity, and antioxidant enzyme activities (GSH-Px, SOD, and CAT) in MPP + -induced astrocytes was confirmed. Then, using ROS and GSH as pharmacodynamic indicators and combining bivariate correlation analysis, gray relationship analysis, and partial least squares regression analysis, caffeic acid, eleutheroside E, and isoquercetin were identified as the effective components for regulating PD model cells. This was validated by measuring the levels of ROS, GSH, MDA and GSH-Px. Finally, the key target of the effective components-STAT3-was identified through network pharmacology. And the interaction between the effective components and STAT3 was revealed by using molecular docking technology. These results can provide a basis for the product development of E. senticosus leaves for the regulation of Parkinson's disease.