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Wu H, Wu P, Zhu Y, Li J, Chen H, Zhu H. Bushen Huoxue Recipe inhibits endometrial epithelial-mesenchymal transition through the transforming growth factor-β/nuclear factor kappa-B pathway to improve polycystic ovary syndrome-mediated infertility. Gynecol Endocrinol 2024; 40:2325000. [PMID: 38477938 DOI: 10.1080/09513590.2024.2325000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the target and mechanism of action of Bushen Huoxue Recipe (BSHX) for the treatment of infertility in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), to provide a basis for the development and clinical application of herbal compounds. METHODS Prediction and validation of active ingredients and targets of BSHX for the treatment of PCOS by using network pharmacology-molecular docking technology. In an animal experiment, the rats were randomly divided into four groups (control group, model group, BSHX group, metformin group, n = 16 in each group), and letrozole combined with high-fat emulsion gavage was used to establish a PCOS rat model. Body weight, vaginal smears, and number of embryos were recorded for each group of rats. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to observe the morphological changes of ovarian and endometrial tissues, and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect the serum inflammatory factor levels. Expression levels of transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), transforming growth factor beta activated kinase 1 (TAK1), nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB), Vimentin, and E-cadherin proteins were measured by western blot (WB). RESULTS Ninety active pharmaceutical ingredients were obtained from BSHX, involving 201 protein targets, of which 160 were potential therapeutic targets. The active ingredients of BSHX exhibited lower binding energy with tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), TGF-β, TAK1, and NF-κB protein receptors (< -5.0 kcal/mol). BSHX significantly reduced serum TNF-α levels in PCOS rats (p < .01), effectively regulated the estrous cycle, restored the pathological changes in the ovary and endometrium, improved the pregnancy rate, and increased the number of embryos. The results of WB suggested that BSHX can down-regulate protein expression levels of TGF-β and NF-κB in endometrial tissue (p < .05), promote the expression level of E-cadherin protein (p < .001), intervene in the endometrial epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process. CONCLUSIONS TGF-β, TAK1, NF-κB, and TNF-α are important targets of BSHX for treating infertility in PCOS. BSHX improves the inflammatory state of PCOS, intervenes in the endometrial EMT process through the TGF-β/NF-κB pathway, and restores endometrial pathological changes, further improving the pregnancy outcome in PCOS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanxue Wu
- Clinical Medical College, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Peijuan Wu
- Clinical Medical College, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Ying Zhu
- Clinical Medical College, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Junjie Li
- Clinical Medical College, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Haiyan Chen
- Clinical Medical College, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Hongqiu Zhu
- College of Medicine and Life Sciences, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
- Department of Gynecology, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
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Wang C, Liu X, Guo S. Network pharmacology-based strategy to investigate the effect and mechanism of α-solanine against glioma. BMC Complement Med Ther 2023; 23:371. [PMID: 37865727 PMCID: PMC10589944 DOI: 10.1186/s12906-023-04215-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2023] [Accepted: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 10/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND An anti-tumour activity has been demonstrated for α-solanine, a bioactive compound extracted from the traditional Chinese herb Solanum nigrum L. However, its efficacy in the treatment of gliomas and the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the inhibitory effects of α-solanine on glioma and elucidate its mechanisms and targets using network pharmacology, molecular docking, and molecular biology experiments. METHODS Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP) was utilized to predict the potential targets of α-solanine. GeneCards was used to gather glioma-related targets, and the STRING online database was used to analyze protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks for the shared targets. Hub genes were identified from the resulting PPI network and further investigated using Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis. Additionally, prognostic and gene set enrichment analyses (GSEA) were carried out to identify potential therapeutic targets and their underlying mechanisms of action in relation to the prognosis of gliomas. In vitro experiments were conducted to verify the findings from the network pharmacology analysis. RESULTS A total of 289 α-solanine targets and 1149 glioma-related targets were screened, of which 78 were common targets. 11 hub genes were obtained, including SRC, HRAS, HSP90AA1, IGF1, MAPK1, MAPK14, KDR, STAT1, JAK2, MAP2K1, and IGF1R. The GO and KEGG pathway analyses unveiled that α-solanine was strongly associated with several signaling pathways, including positive regulation of MAP kinase activity and PI3K-Akt. Moreover, α-solanine (10 µM and 15 µM) inhibited the proliferation and migration but promoted the apoptosis of glioma cells. Finally, STAT1 was identified as a potential mediator of the effect of α-solanine on glioma prognosis. CONCLUSION α-Solanine can inhibit the proliferation and migration of gliomas by regulating multiple targets and signalling pathways. These findings lay the foundation for the creation of innovative clinical anti-glioma agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- ChunPeng Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710000, China
| | - XiaoHui Liu
- Department of Medical Oncology, Anyang Cancer Hospital, An Yang, 455000, China
| | - ShiWen Guo
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710000, China.
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Sharma R, Jadhav M, Choudhary N, Kumar A, Rauf A, Gundamaraju R, AlAsmari AF, Ali N, Singla RK, Sharma R, Shen B. Deciphering the impact and mechanism of Trikatu, a spices-based formulation on alcoholic liver disease employing network pharmacology analysis and in vivo validation. Front Nutr 2022; 9:1063118. [PMID: 36466417 PMCID: PMC9709420 DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2022.1063118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2022] [Accepted: 10/28/2022] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Trikatu Churna (TC) comprising Zingiber officinale rhizome, Piper longum, and Piper nigrum fruit, is effective in treating liver diseases and has high nutraceutical values. However, the efficacy of TC in treating alcoholic liver disease (ALD) and its mechanism remain largely unknown. This study evaluated the hepatoprotective effects of different doses of TC as well as to identify the bioactive components and determine their mechanism of action against ethanol-induced ALD. A compound-target network analysis model of TC was established to identify its potential bioactive compounds and pathways that might regulate its hepatoprotective effects. Further, in-vivo studies were performed to validate the potential of TC (200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg b.w.) in the treatment and management of ALD. The study revealed that both the dosages of TC demonstrate significant (p > 0.0001) hepatoprotective effects by improving body weight, total bilirubin, serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT), serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT), serum alkaline phosphate (ALP), total cholesterol, total protein, globulin, albumin, and liver morphology. The High-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) fingerprinting of TC showed the presence of piperine. Network pharmacology identifies the role of TC in regulating various signaling processes including Advanced glycation end products-receptor for advanced glycation end products (AGE-RAGE), Hypoxia-inducible factors (HIF-1), Nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-Kappa B), and Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/Akt) signaling to exert its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anti-apoptotic role in managing ALD. Based on the bioinformatics analysis, some of the key targets of TC were found to be Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthase 2 (PTGS2) or Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), Sirtuin 1 (SRT1), and caspase-3. These effects may serve as a novel therapeutic option for the treatment of ALD. These preclinical validation studies for the ethnopharmacological potential of TC in ALD treatment further paved the way for researchers to perform next-level translational and clinical studies. Further, in-depth experimental studies for the validation of these bioinformatics-based results will give a clearer picture of mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruchi Sharma
- Department of Rasa Shastra and Bhaishajya Kalpana, Faculty of Ayurveda, Institute of Medical Sciences, BHU, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Mangala Jadhav
- Department of Rasa Shastra and Bhaishajya Kalpana, R. A. Podar Ayurvedic Medical College, Mumbai, India
| | - Neha Choudhary
- Centre for Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, Central University of Himachal Pradesh, Dharamsala, Himachal Pradesh, India
| | - Arun Kumar
- Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Allied Sciences (INMAS), Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), New Delhi, India
| | - Abdur Rauf
- Department of Chemistry, University of Swabi, Anbar, Pakistan
| | - Rohit Gundamaraju
- ER Stress and Mucosal Immunology Lab, School of Health Sciences, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Launceston, TAS, Australia
| | - Abdullah F. AlAsmari
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Nemat Ali
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Rajeev K. Singla
- Institutes for Systems Genetics, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-Related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Rohit Sharma
- Department of Rasa Shastra and Bhaishajya Kalpana, Faculty of Ayurveda, Institute of Medical Sciences, BHU, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Bairong Shen
- Institutes for Systems Genetics, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-Related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
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Data Mining and Network Pharmacology Analysis of Kidney-Tonifying Herbs on the Treatment of Renal Osteodystrophy Based on the Theory of "Kidney Governing Bones" in Traditional Chinese Medicine. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2022; 2022:1116923. [PMID: 36238608 PMCID: PMC9552684 DOI: 10.1155/2022/1116923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2022] [Revised: 08/07/2022] [Accepted: 08/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Background Renal osteodystrophy (ROD) secondary to chronic kidney disease is closely associated with osteoporosis and fractures. Based on the theory of “kidney governing bones” in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), treating bone diseases from the perspective of the kidney has become a basic principle of treating ROD. However, there are many kidney-tonifying herbs and their mechanisms of treating ROD are not clear. Therefore, our study intends to use data mining and network pharmacology to study the commonly used kidney-tonifying herbs, as well as their active ingredients and mechanisms of treating ROD. Methods We established a clinical ROD database by searching PubMed, CNKI, and other databases and screened out a core herbal combination of treating ROD. Furthermore, by using databases such as Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform and GeneCards, we obtained active ingredients and targets of the core herbal combination and ROD targets. The STRING website and Cytoscape software were then used to obtain information on key active ingredients and key targets. Finally, we conducted GO and KEGG analyses using the Metascape website and molecular docking using the AutoDock Vina software. Results Our study eventually included 58 prescriptions and 116 herbs of treating ROD. Through data mining, we found that yin-yang-huo, du-zhong, and bu-gu-zhi (YDB) constituted a core herbal combination to treat ROD. Network pharmacology showed that YDB mainly acted on targets such as estrogen receptor alpha through active ingredients such as quercetin by mitogen-activated protein kinase and other signaling pathways. Conclusion Many ingredients, targets, and pathways are involved in the treatment of YDB for ROD. Specifically, the flavonoids contained in YDB have great potential for ROD treatment.
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Sahoo R, Sahu P, Swargam S, Kumari I, Behera B. Repurposing small molecules of Tephrosia purpurea against SARS-CoV-2 main protease. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2022:1-12. [PMID: 35983619 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2022.2112616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/15/2022]
Abstract
Coronavirus infection is a communicable disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) which emerged as a global pandemic with deteriorating effect on the world's population. Main protease (Mpro) of SARS-CoV-2 plays a significant role in the viral replication, transcription and disease propagation as well as a potential candidate for drug discovery and development for COVID-19 infection. The current study employed state of art structure-based drug discovery to decipher the role of phytochemicals of Tephrosia purpurea against Mpro. Tephrosia purpurea is being used as a traditional medicinal plant for the treatment of cough, breathlessness and fever as per the Indian Materia Medica. Screening of the phytochemicals of Tephrosia purpurea against Mpro was performed using molecular docking approach to identify the top 5 hits (+)-tephrorin B, deguelin, vitamin p, lanceolarin and 3beta-hydroxy-20(29)-lupene with binding energy of -8.4, -8.1, -8.0, -7.8, and -7.8 kcal/mol, respectively. Furthermore, identified top 5 hits were subjected to drug-likeness and toxicity prediction as well as MM-GBSA calculation. Out of the five molecules four molecules were predicted not to comprise any mutagenic and carcinogenic effects. Top two molecules based on the drug-likeness properties for oral bio-availability were further analysed by molecular dynamics simulation at 100 ns timescale. It was observed from the dynamic behaviour of the two complexes that the addition of these molecules changed the conformation and stability of the apo protein; thus may act as inhibitors for Mpro.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosaleen Sahoo
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, India.,Biochemical Sciences Division, CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory, Pune, Maharashtra, India
| | - Parameswar Sahu
- Central Molecular Laboratory, Govind Ballabh Pant Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education & Research, New Delhi, India
| | - Sandeep Swargam
- Genomics and Epidemiology Division, National Centre for Disease Control, Civil Lines, New Delhi, India
| | - Indu Kumari
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Central University of Himachal Pradesh, Kangra, Himachal Pradesh, India
| | - Banshidhar Behera
- Department of Dravyaguna, Ayurvedic and Unani Tibbia College, New Delhi, India
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Vivek-Ananth RP, Sahoo AK, Srivastava A, Samal A. Virtual screening of phytochemicals from Indian medicinal plants against the endonuclease domain of SFTS virus L polymerase. RSC Adv 2022; 12:6234-6247. [PMID: 35424542 PMCID: PMC8982020 DOI: 10.1039/d1ra06702h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2021] [Accepted: 02/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV) causes a highly infectious disease with reported mortality in the range 2.8% to 47%. The replication and transcription of the SFTSV genome is performed by L polymerase, which has both an RNA dependent RNA polymerase domain and an N-terminal endonuclease (endoN) domain. Due to its crucial role in the cap-snatching mechanism required for initiation of viral RNA transcription, the endoN domain is an ideal antiviral drug target. In this virtual screening study for the identification of potential inhibitors of the endoN domain of SFTSV L polymerase, we have used molecular docking and molecular dynamics (MD) simulation to explore the natural product space of 14 011 phytochemicals from Indian medicinal plants. After generating a heterogeneous ensemble of endoN domain structures reflecting conformational diversity of the corresponding active site using MD simulations, ensemble docking of the phytochemicals was performed against the endoN domain structures. Apart from the ligand binding energy from docking, our virtual screening workflow imposes additional filters such as drug-likeness, non-covalent interactions with key active site residues, toxicity and chemical similarity with other hits, to identify top 5 potential phytochemical inhibitors of endoN domain of SFTSV L polymerase. Further, the stability of the protein–ligand docked complexes for the top 5 potential inhibitors was analyzed using MD simulations. The potential phytochemical inhibitors, predicted in this study using contemporary computational methods, are expected to serve as lead molecules in future experimental studies towards development of antiviral drugs against SFTSV. Virtual screening of a large phytochemical library from Indian medicinal plants to identify potential endonuclease inhibitors against emerging virus SFTSV.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- R P Vivek-Ananth
- The Institute of Mathematical Sciences (IMSc) Chennai 600113 India .,Homi Bhabha National Institute (HBNI) Mumbai 400094 India
| | - Ajaya Kumar Sahoo
- The Institute of Mathematical Sciences (IMSc) Chennai 600113 India .,Homi Bhabha National Institute (HBNI) Mumbai 400094 India
| | - Ashutosh Srivastava
- Discipline of Biological Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar Gandhinagar 382355 India
| | - Areejit Samal
- The Institute of Mathematical Sciences (IMSc) Chennai 600113 India .,Homi Bhabha National Institute (HBNI) Mumbai 400094 India
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Herbal Formula Modified Bu-Shen-Huo-Xue Decoction Attenuates Intervertebral Disc Degeneration via Regulating Inflammation and Oxidative Stress. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2022; 2022:4284893. [PMID: 35154344 PMCID: PMC8828322 DOI: 10.1155/2022/4284893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2021] [Revised: 11/15/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Objective This study aims to clarify the potential mechanism of modified Bu-Shen-Huo-Xue decoction (MBSHXD) in treating intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) with methods of network pharmacology and molecular docking. Methods An MBSHXD and IDD-related common target gene set was established through TCMSP, UniProt, and two disease gene databases. GO and KEGG enrichment analysis and protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks were performed through the R platform and STRING to discover the potential mechanism. Molecular docking between the active ingredients and the core genes is used to calculate the binding energy. Results A total of 147 active ingredients and 79 common genes (including 10 core genes, TNF, VEGFA, IL6, MAPK3, AKT1, MAPK8, TP53, JUN, MMP9, and CXCL8) were identified. The results of GO and KEGG enrichment analysis showed that MBSHXD plays an essential role in regulating inflammation and oxidative stress. The meaningful pathways are the AGE-RAGE signaling pathway in diabetic complications, the IL-17 signaling pathway, the TNF signaling pathway, the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, the MAPK signaling pathway, and apoptosis. In addition, the PPI network and molecular docking further demonstrated the roles that nine bioactive ingredients of MBSHXD play in IDD treatment through their interference with core target proteins. Conclusion This study reveals that MBSHXD has the characteristics of a “multi-component, multi-target, and multi-pathway” in the treatment of IDD by regulating inflammation and oxidative stress, and network pharmacology may provide a feasible method to verify the molecular mechanism of MBSHXD for IDD by combining with molecular docking.
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Multi-scale mechanism of antiviral drug-alike phytoligands from Ayurveda in managing COVID-19 and associated metabolic comorbidities: insights from network pharmacology. Mol Divers 2022; 26:2575-2594. [PMID: 34993740 PMCID: PMC8736312 DOI: 10.1007/s11030-021-10352-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2021] [Accepted: 11/14/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), which emerged in Wuhan, China, is continuously spreading worldwide, creating a huge burden on public health and economy. Ayurveda, the oldest healing schema of Traditional Indian Medicinal (TIM) system, is considered as a promising CAM therapy to combat various diseases/ disorders. To explore the regulatory mechanisms of 3038 Ayurvedic herbs (AHs) against SARS-CoV-2, in this study, multi-targeting and synergistic actions of constituent 34,472 phytochemicals (APCs) are investigated using a comprehensive approach comprising of network pharmacology and molecular docking. Immunomodulatory prospects of antiviral drug-alike potentially effective phytochemicals (PEPs) are presented as a special case study, highlighting the importance of 6 AHs in eliciting the antiviral immunity. By evaluating binding affinity of 292 PEPs against 24 SARS-CoV-2 proteins, we develop and analyze a high-confidence "bi-regulatory network" of 115 PEPs having ability to regulate protein targets in both virus and its host human system. Furthermore, mechanistic actions of PEPs against cardiovascular complications, diabetes mellitus and hypertension are also investigated to address the regulatory potential of AHs in dealing with COVID-19-associated metabolic comorbidities. The study further reports 12 PEPs as promising source of COVID-19 comorbidity regulators.
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