Predictive Analysis of Rosmarinus officinalis L. Quality Marker (Q-Marker) Based on Chemical Composition, Activity and Network Pharmacology

Abstract: Rosmarinus officinalis L. is a long-honored medicinal and edible aromatic plant extensively employed in the food, pharmaceutical, and spice industries. It is rich in various bioactive compounds, including flavonoids, terpenes, phenylpropanoic acids, quinones, and steroids, which exhibit a range of effects such as antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antitumor, hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic, hepatoprotective, and nephroprotective properties. To further explore the application potential of Rosmarinus officinalis, we predicted the quality marker (Q-Marker) based on the measurability of chemical constituents, traditional medicinal properties, and effectiveness. This approach was informed by research on the components, biological activities, and mechanisms of action, followed by network pharmacology analysis. Ultimately, 17 practical components were selected as potential biomarkers, including carnosic acid, carnosol, rosmanol, isorosmanol, epirosmanol, 7- methoxyrosmanol, 7-ethoxyrosmanol, rosmaridiphenol, rosmadial, rosmarinic acid, 1,8-cineole, rosmarinine, royleanone, horminone, homovanillic acid, ferruginol, and cryptotanshinone. Most of these compounds belong to the categories of terpenoids and organic acids. Through enrichment analysis, we identified the targets and pathways of these components in various diseases, such as microbial infection, cancer, apoptosis, oxidative stress, and abnormal glycolipid metabolism. This integrated approach that combines plant components, big data, and pharmacology for marker screening is more rational. The results provide a reference for the development, research, and quality evaluation of rosemary resources.