Revealing key antioxidant compounds and mechanisms in Fritillaria Bulbus by metabolomics and network pharmacology

Medicinal food homology substances have served as a traditional means of overcoming many health complications, and gained increasing attention. Fritillaria Bulbus is used as an edible herbal food with medicinal food homology; however, its antioxidant efficacy substantially varies among different species. In this study, an integrated approach of UHPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap MS/MS-based metabolomics, network pharmacology, and molecular docking was used to compare the antioxidant activities of four FBs and identify the active compounds and potential mechanisms. A total of 143 metabolites were identified, predominantly comprising alkaloids. In vitro antioxidant tests revealed a positive correlation between alkaloids and their antioxidant capabilities. Network pharmacology predicted 17 differential and 44 shared compounds. Molecular docking assessed that seven alkaloids (peimisine、imperialine、peimine、solasodine、veratramine、cyclopamine and jervine) exhibited good affinity for the antioxidant targets. Key therapeutic targets AKT1 and ESR1 mediate antioxidant mechanisms through PI3K/AKT signaling. These findings provide insights into interspecies differences in FB's antioxidant properties.