Integrated GC–MS and Network Pharmacology Reveal Component Changes of Atractylodis Rhizoma During Bran‐Fried and Anti‐Ulcerative Colitis Mechanisms

Raw Atractylodis Rhizoma (RAR) is a traditional Chinese medicine that has multiple effects and is effective in treating ulcerative colitis (UC). Bran-fried Atractylodis Rhizoma (BFAR) is a commonly processed preparation and has better therapeutic effects on UC. However, the underlying changes in the chemical composition of bran-fried RAR and molecular mechanisms related to UC remain unclear. In this study, GC-MS analysis was employed to identify the chemical constituents of RAR and BFAR, and network pharmacology combined with molecular docking was used to elucidate their potential mechanisms of action against UC. A total of 95 components were identified. Comparative analysis revealed that bran-fried significantly altered the chemical profile of RAR, with 2,6,11-trimethyldodecane and elemol identified as key compounds whose contents markedly decreased after processing. Network pharmacology analysis screened 38 active components and 201 common targets. Enrichment analysis indicated that their functions are closely related to the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway and cancer pathways, with BFAR exhibiting a broader component-target interaction network than RAR. Molecular docking validated strong binding activity between the core active components and key targets. These findings provide a robust theoretical foundation and data support for standardizing processing techniques, quality control, and clinical application of RAR and BFAR.