biostudies-literatureZhou JScience and Technology Project of the Jiangxi Provincial Department of EducationNational Natural Science Foundation of China27815https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC11560922biostudies-literatureUnknown14(1)Imperata cylindrica Beauv.var. major (Nees) C.E.Hubb., commonly known as BaiMaoGen (BMG), a medicinal and edible traditional Chinese medicinal (TCM) herb commonly used in health supplements, has been observed to offer protective effects against gastrointestinal disorders. However, the specific bioactive compounds and their molecular mechanisms have not been fully elucidated. This study employed ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) and systematic network pharmacology to analyze and identify the key active components and their interactions with biological targets. Thirty-six main active compounds, including 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid and p-hydroxybenzoic acid, were identified and analyzed for their interaction with key protein targets using molecScientific reportsElucidating the gastroprotective mechanisms of Imperata cylindrica Beauv.var. major (Nees) C.E.Hubb through UHPLC-MS/MS and systems network pharmacology.PMC11560922GJJ21120382360893Zhang WLiu JHu JZhou JfalseElucidating the gastroprotective mechanisms of Imperata cylindrica Beauv.var. major (Nees) C.E.Hubb through UHPLC-MS/MS and systems network pharmacology.Imperata cylindrica Beauv.var. major (Nees) C.E.Hubb., commonly known as BaiMaoGen (BMG), a medicinal and edible traditional Chinese medicinal (TCM) herb commonly used in health supplements, has been observed to offer protective effects against gastrointestinal disorders. However, the specific bioactive compounds and their molecular mechanisms have not been fully elucidated. This study employed ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) and systematic network pharmacology to analyze and identify the key active components and their interactions with biological targets. Thirty-six main active compounds, including 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid and p-hydroxybenzoic acid, were identified and analyzed for their interaction with key protein targets using molec2024-01-01T00:00:00Z2024 Nov2026-06-01T12:37:38.71Z2025-04-19T17:27:50.457ZS-EPMC115609223953778810.1038/s41598-024-79483-z