Integrated metabolomics and serum pharmacochemistry reveal Q-Markers of Zhigancao Decoction for antiarrhythmic efficacy

Ethnopharmacological relevance Zhigancao decoction (ZGCD) is a classic plant-derived compound traditional Chinese medicine, which is widely used in the treatment of arrhythmia, palpitation, weakness of spleen and stomach, and deficiency of qi and blood. However, there are still some deficiencies in the current quality assessment system, especially the lack of systematic selection of quality control indicators. It is urgent to establish a robust quality control paradigm based on multi-dimensional analysis. Aim of the study In this study, combined with the effect of Yiqi Fumai of ZGCD, the Q-marker of ZGCD for the treatment of arrhythmia was effectively identified by multi-dimensional integration of its absorption components and metabolomics data. Materials and methods In this study, a rat model of arrhythmia with heart yin deficiency was used to study the pharmacodynamics of ZGCD. UPLC-Q-TOF/MS was utilized to characterize serum migration components, while integrative metabolomic correlation studies identified critical quality markers (Q-Markers) underlying ZGCD’s antiarrhythmic efficacy. Results Pharmacodynamic evaluation revealed that ZGCD effectively restored dysregulated levels of Malondialdehyde (MDA), Superoxide dismutase (SOD), Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), Na + /K + -ATPase, Calmodulin (CaM), and Calcium/Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinase-II (CAMK2) in arrhythmia models. Subsequent investigations demonstrated ZGCD's capacity to ameliorate cardiac pathology in arrhythmia models, corroborating its traditional efficacy in "replenishing qi and restoring pulse rhythm". In ZGCD-containing serum, a total of 105 components were identified as absorbed into the blood. Among them, 42 were prototype components and 63 were metabolites. In addition, endogenous metabolic marker analysis showed that 29 components showed significant correlation with these biomarkers. Conclusion ZGCD demonstrates efficacy in relieving cardiac arrhythmia and the efficacy of tonifying spleen and stomach is related to the regulation of substance / energy metabolism. Key Q-markers: Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma Praeparata Cum Melle (Liquiritigenin, Isoliquiritin, 18α-glycyrrhetinic acid); Ginger (Gingerol); Cinnamomum cassia (3,4,5-trimethoxycinnamic acid, cis-cinnamic acid, p-coumaraldehyde, sinapaldehyde, cinnamyl acetate); Ginseng ((20R)-ginsenoside Rh2, F1, ginsenoside); Rehmanniae Radix (Methyl cis-9,10-methylenehexadecanoate); Ass-hide Gelatin (l-Isoleucine, Asp, Leu, Tyr, Met, Pro, His, Lys); Radix Ophiopogonis (L-glutamic acid, linolenic acid); Cannabis Fructus (γ-linolenic acid, THC, cannabidiolate); Zizyphus jujuba (L-α-leucine, L-proline zwitterion, Asp).