# Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata in Blood Deficiency Syndrome: UPLC-Q-TOF-MS Profiling, Network Pharmacology, and PI3K-AKT Activation

## TL;DR

This study explores how Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata treats blood deficiency by analyzing its chemical components and confirming its effects on key biological pathways.

## Contribution

The study integrates chemical profiling, network pharmacology, and experimental validation to reveal RRP's mechanism in blood deficiency.

## Key findings

- RRP improved hematological parameters and organ pathology in blood deficiency mice.
- RRP activates the PI3K-AKT pathway by upregulating AKT1 and NOS3 expression.
- Chemical profiling identified key compounds in RRP linked to therapeutic effects.

## Abstract

This study investigated the therapeutic mechanism of Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata (RRP) in treating blood deficiency syndrome (BDS) through integrated chemical analysis and pharmacological validation. UPLC-Q-TOF-MS identified chemical components of Rehmanniae Radix (RR) and RRP, with network pharmacology analysis suggesting AKT1 and NOS3 in the PI3K-AKT pathway as potential therapeutic targets. Pharmacodynamic evaluations using ELISA, hematological analysis, histopathology, and immunohistochemistry demonstrated RRP’s efficacy in improving hematological parameters, energy metabolism, and organ pathology in BDS mice. Experimental validation via RT-qPCR and Western blot confirmed significant upregulation of AKT1 and NOS3 mRNA and protein expression following RRP treatment. The findings indicate that RRP alleviates BDS by activating the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway to modulate AKT1 and NOS3 expression, providing mechanistic insights into its therapeutic actions.