An integrated strategy combining Spectrum-effect relationships with in-vitro activity verification for the screening of vasodilatory components from Gastrodia elata Blume.

The rhizome of Gastrodia elata Blume (RGE) is traditionally used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) to alleviate symptoms such as dizziness, headache, limb numbness, hypertension, and convulsions associated with hyperactivity of liver yang. Accumulated evidences have suggested that anti-hypertension are closely associated with vasodilatation. However, the vasodilatory activity and the specific active components responsible for the therapeutic effects of RGE have not been clarified. In this study, the chemical fingerprint, in vitro vasodilatory activity and quantitative analysis of vasoactive components of RGE were evaluated to enhance quality control and support pharmacological research. A fingerprint similarity evaluation method of RGE was established, and the results showed that all samples except for S6 shared high similarity, with similarity coefficients of S1-S5 and S7-S11 exceeding 0.892. Pharmacodynamic assays revealed that RGE could relax isolated thoracic aorta rings of rats in vitro. Screened components including adenosine, guanosine, gastrodin and ferulic acid demonstrated significant vasodilatory activity. Furthermore, quantitative analyses were performed on gastrodin, p-hydroxybenzyl alcohol, adenosine, and parishin A, B, C, E. The fingerprint analysis provides a new perspective for improving the quality control of RGE. These findings suggest that RGE exerts antihypertension effects through vasodilation, highlighting its potential as a functional food ingredient for managing hypertension. In addition, components including adenosine, guanosine, gastrodin and ferulic acid have the potential to develop into the lead compound of antihypertension drugs.