A novel integrated ESID strategy of Critical Property-Flavor Quality Attributes of Huangqi Shengmai Yin

There is still a gap between traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and Western medicine, and it is crucial to build a bridge between them. In this study, taking Huangqi Shengmai Yin as a demonstration, we proposed a novel integrated efficacy-sweetness information discovery (ESID) strategy. Firstly, it was inferred that Huangqi Shengmai Yin possessed the attribute of “sweet”, and its sweetness level was determined by intelligent sensory technology. Secondly, the potential property and flavor substances of Huangqi Shengmai Yin were screened based on our T1R2/T1R3-HEMT biosensor combined with UPLC-MS analysis. Finally, the efficacy of the substances was validated through in vitro and in vivo experiments. The results indicated that the sensory taste of Huangqi Shengmai Yin was perceived as sweet, with the sweetness level classified as “slightly sweet”. Five potential property and flavor substances of Huangqi Shengmai Yin were discovered, including calycosin, calycosin-7-O-β-D-glucoside, atractylenolide I, ruscogenin and schisantherin A. Surprisingly, it was confirmed that these attributes had strong binding abilities with T1R2 and T1R3, with dissociation constants less than 10−8 M. Through in vivo experiments conducted on zebrafish, it was further demonstrated that these attributes had the effects of improving vascular injury and enhancing immunity. In summary, this novel strategy guides the connection between TCM and Western medicine. And it provides a guideline for other TCM research.