Chemical Components and Hypouricemic Activity Monitoring of Astragali radix-Huaier During Fermentation Processing Using High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry Combined with Untargeted Metabolomics

Ethnopharmacological relevance: This study concentrates on exploring the therapeutic potential of Astragali radix-huaier fermentation products in treating hyperuricemia from a bi-directional solid fermentation perspective, aiming to provide scientific support for their traditional uses and further applications.Aim of the study: We aim to provide a basis for the efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine in regulating uric acid levels.Materials and methods: In this study, high-resolution mass spectrometry and untargeted metabolomics were employed to conduct real-time monitoring of the chemical components and hypouricemic activity changes during the fermentation of Astragali radix-huaier. Fermentation was carried out over 28 days, with samples collected on days 7, 14, 21, and 28 for analysis.Results: The result revealed that fermentation significantly altered the chemical composition profile, leading to distinct separation of samples on days 7, 14, 21, and 28. And 33 differential components were identified in total, including 20 flavonoids and 13 saponins, with 8 components showing notable changes. Among them, polysaccharides and saponins showed a positive correlation with the uric acid-lowering effect. On the 21st day, the content of total polysaccharides and cycloastragaloside-6-glucoside transformed by saponin reached peaks.Conclusions: This study demonstrates for the first time that the dynamic changes of Astragali radix-huaier during fermentation processing in chemical composition and pharmacological activity, thereby identifying an optimal fermentation process and providing a foundation for developing medicinal and dietary products of Astragali radix.