Predicting the Anti-aging Potential of Sweet Potato Kombucha Using Metabolomics and Network Pharmacology

doi:10.7506/spkx1002-6630-20260112-098

Abstract

Abstract: This study characterized the metabolite profile of sweet potato kombucha produced by defined co-culture fermentation and evaluated its putative anti-aging potential, providing a basis for the development of functional kombucha beverages. We performed untargeted metabolomics using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS), and integrated network pharmacology, molecular docking, and in vitro bioassays to nominate and mechanistically interrogate bioactive candidates. In total, 2 544 differential metabolites were detected; principal component analysis (PCA) and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) identified 109 significantly upregulated metabolites. Network pharmacology prioritized 10 core functional constituents, 352 compound-associated targets, and 179 overlapping targets associated with compounds and diseases. Gene Ontology (GO) functional enrichment analysis yielded 1 628 terms of biological process, 118 terms of cellular component, and 213 terms of molecular function. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis identified 190 pathways. Network topology highlighted seven hub targets, including SRC, HSP90AA1, PIK3CA, PIK3R1, ESR1, JAK2, and EGFR. Molecular docking analyses suggested the strongest binding affinity of andrographolide, diospyrin, noreugenin, and sinensetin to the corresponding protein receptors. Sweet potato kombucha exhibited robust scavenging activity against 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical, 2,2’-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) cation radical, and hydroxyl radical and inhibited elastase activity in vitro, suggesting good antioxidant capacity and anti-aging enzyme activities. Collectively, sweet potato kombucha exerts an anti-aging effect through multi-component, multi-target, and multi-pathway synergistic actions and may serve as a promising functional beverage with anti-aging activity.

Key words: sweet potato; kombucha; anti-aging; metabolomics; network pharmacology; molecular docking

CLC Number:

TS275.4

TANG Xingyang, QIAN Xueqin, WANG Jing, LIN Simin, RUAN Hui. Predicting the Anti-aging Potential of Sweet Potato Kombucha Using Metabolomics and Network Pharmacology[J]. FOOD SCIENCE, 2026, 47(17): 166-178 https://doi.org/10.7506/spkx1002-6630-20260112-098

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Predicting the Anti-aging Potential of Sweet Potato Kombucha Using Metabolomics and Network Pharmacology

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