Analysis of the highly sensitive mechanism of an electrochemical sensor for salvianolic acid B based on network pharmacology

Abstract

Salvianolic acid B (Sal B), the key bioactive compound in the traditional Chinese herb Salvia miltiorrhiza, is recognized for its extensive pharmacological effects, especially its potent cardioprotective properties. Network pharmacology analysis has elucidated the complex mechanisms of action of Sal B by integrating a systems biology framework with the examination of multiple drug targets. Despite the therapeutic potential of Sal B, its precise detection remains a technical challenge, mostly because of interference in the detection of coexisting structural analogs in leach liquor. The adoption of electrochemical technology offers a practical alternative that meets the demands for speed and precision in quantifying Sal B. Consequently, the current study presents an electrochemical sensing approach based on the composite material Au@CeO₂-Fe₃O₄ embellished reduced graphene oxide (rGO). This integration utilized the exceptional electrical conductivity of Au, the catalytic properties of ceria, and the magnetic properties of iron oxide (Fe₃O₄) nanoparticles, which significantly enhanced the sensor performance. The results indicate that the developed electrochemical sensor exhibited a linear detection range spanning four orders of magnitude, with a low detection limit of 0.037 μM. The linear range is 1–1000 μM, and the sensitivity is 59.44 µA µM⁻¹ cm⁻², demonstrating high sensitivity and selectivity in the detection of Sal B in actual samples. This research provides a novel perspective for the efficient detection of Sal B, offering a scientific basis for clinical therapeutic monitoring and contributing positively to the modernization of traditional Chinese medicine.