Effect-constituent index-based quality assessment of Anemarrhenae Rhizoma before and after processing

Anemarrhenae Rhizoma was investigated to establish an effect-constituent index (ECI) for quality control by analyzing its chemical and bioactivity changes after processing. Antiinflammatory effects were assessed via COX-2 inhibition. Chemical profiles of 30 batches were analyzed using UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS, followed by spectrum-effect modeling and molecular docking. Processing increased mangiferin and decreased neomangiferin (<i>p</i> < .05). COX-2 inhibition rose by ∼180% (<i>p</i> < .01); mangiferin potency increased 2.8-fold (<i>p</i> < .05). Mangiferin showed the strongest correlation (Wi = 0.97326) and high COX-2 binding affinity (-5.67 kcal mol^-1). This study identifies mangiferin as a key quality marker and establishes a quality control model based on the ECI.