Systems pharmacology-based approach for dissecting the mechanisms of pyrazine components in Maotai liquor

Maotai liquor is a typical representative of sauce aroma-style flavor liquors and has been considered to be a precious cultural heritage of the oriental spirit culture. Aroma components are largely responsible for the characteristic aroma of liquor. Pyrazine compound is one of the most important categories of aroma components that affect the flavor of Maotai liquor. However, limited information is available regarding the systemic analysis of pyrazine compounds, especially the pharmacological effects of bioactive pyrazine components. Therefore, in the current study, a systemic analysis approach was provided by integrating absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME) screening, target identification, pharmacological evaluation and pathway analysis to explore the pharmacological mechanism of pyrazine compounds in Maotai liquor. As a result, 17 pyrazine components with adequate pharmacokinetic properties were filtered out using ADME models. Thirty eight potential targets of these active compounds were identified through target prediction. The pharmacological evaluation was proposed to uncover the pharmacological effect of pyrazine compounds in Maotai liquor from the holistic perspective. Finally, the pharmacological effects of the pathways perturbed by potential targets were interpreted based on the pathway analysis. Our study lays the foundation for formulating a comprehensive understanding of the pyrazine compounds in Maotai liquor, which would contribute to the development of Chinese liquor.

A system-level investigation into the pharmacological mechanisms of flavor compounds in liquor

Maotai-flavor liquor, one of the world's most famous natural fermentation food products plays a significant role in traditional Chinese culture and people's daily lives for a long time due to its good taste. However, the pharmacological activities of flavor compounds in Maotai liquor have not been fully elucidated. In answering this question, a system-level analysis was developed by combining in silico ADME evaluation, multi-target prediction, GO enrichment analysis, network pharmacology technology, pathway analysis, as well as experimental verification to elucidate the pharmacological effects of flavor compounds in Maotai liquor. Finally, 55 active compounds and 80 targets were identified to interpret the pharmacological effect of the flavor compounds. Moreover, the key active compounds were verified by in vitro experiments to validate the reliability of our approaches. Our study provides a novel integrated strategy to comprehensively understand the pharmacological activities of complex components in Maotai liquor. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: We proposed an integrative strategy by systems pharmacology to investigate the potential active compounds and their related targets, as well as to understand the potential pharmacological mechanism of flavor compounds in Maotai liquor. The present work will not only shed light on the mechanism of active compounds in Maotai liquor at the system level, but also provide a novel approach for discovery of the active compounds that may benefit human health.

Systematic Analysis of the Pharmacological Effects of Alcoholic Components in Maotai

Maotai liquor is one of the most famous traditional Chinese distilled liquor enjoyed by many people all over the world for its unique production method, impressive liquor quality, and soy sauce-like and roasted aroma style. It is known that aroma characteristics of liquor mainly depend on the aroma compounds. Alcohols as one of the most important categories of aroma components have been determined in Maotai liquor. However, the systemic analysis of alcoholic compounds in liquor is limited, especially the active alcoholic components and their pharmacological effects. Therefore, in this study, a systemic analysis method was proposed by combining in silico absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME) evaluation, target fishing, network pharmacology technology, pathway analysis, and experimental verification to interpret the pharmacological mechanism of alcoholic compounds in Maotai liquor. Finally, 15 compounds with favorable pharmacokinetic profiles were screened through in silico ADME models. Thirty-eight related targets of these active compounds were identified by target prediction method. The network pharmacology and pathway analysis were developed to clarify the pharmacological effect of alcoholic compounds in Maotai liquor at the system and pathway level. Moreover, the key active compounds were validated by in vitro experiments that verified the effectiveness of our methods. Our study provides a novel approach to systematically analyze the pharmacological effect of alcoholic compounds in Maotai liquor, which would be beneficial for promoting the in-depth study of various liquors. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Maotai liquor is popularly enjoyed in the world for a very long time. However, the systemic analysis of compounds in liquor is limited. Our systematic analysis approach was developed to explore the bioactive ingredients and their related target proteins as well as the pharmacological effects of Maotai liquor. This will provide a new method to understand the pharmacological mechanisms of compounds in various liquors at the systems level, so as to promote the development of liquors and to increase the public awareness of science about alcohol consumption.