Erchen decoction for hyperlipemia: Protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis

Exploring the mechanism of Erchen decoction in the treatment of atherosclerosis based on network pharmacology and molecular docking

BACKGROUND

Atherosclerosis (AS) is the cause of most cardiovascular diseases and imposes a huge economic burden on society. Erchen decoction (ECD) is an effective formula for treating AS, but its therapeutic mechanism remains unclear. This study will explore the mechanism of ECD mechanism for treating AS using network pharmacology and molecular docking.

METHODS

We searched ECD chemical composition information and related targets via Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform and SwissTargetPrediction databases, and gene names correction was performed using the UniProt database. AS-related targets were retrieved from OMIM, GeneCards, and DrugBank databases, and Venny 2.1 were used for intersection analysis. Protein-protein interaction network was constructed by the STRING database, and an interactive network of the drug-component-target-disease was drawn using the Cytoscape 3.9.0 software. Gene ontology and Kyoto Gene and Genome Encyclopedia enrichment analysis were performed by the DAVID database, and molecular docking validation of vital active ingredients and action targets of ECD was performed using AutoDock Vina software.

RESULTS

The 127 active components of ECD act on AS by regulating 231 targets and 151 pathways. The 6 core components are quercetin, polyporenic acid C, 18α-hydroxyglycyrrhetic acid, glyuranolide, 3beta-hydroxychloroxy-24-methylene-8-lanostene-21-oic acid, and obacunone. They may regulate AS by regulating core target genes, such as JUN, SRC, AKT1, PTGS2, ESR1, AR, MAPK1, MAPK3, and RELA, and acting on multiple vital pathways, such as AGE-RAGE signaling pathway in diabetic complications, Lipid and AS, and Fluid shear stress and AS. Molecular docking showed that the selected target protein had good binding activity to the active ingredient.

CONCLUSIONS

ECD has the characteristics of multi-components, multi-targets and multi-pathways in the treatment of AS. The results provide a theoretical basis for the clinical application of ECD and its mechanism.

Investigating the effects and mechanisms of Erchen Decoction in the treatment of colorectal cancer by network pharmacology and experimental validation

Objective: Erchen Decoction (ECD), a well-known traditional Chinese medicine, exerts metabolism-regulatory, immunoregulation, and anti-tumor effects. However, the action and pharmacological mechanism of ECD remain largely unclear. In the present study, we explored the effects and mechanisms of ECD in the treatment of CRC using network pharmacology, molecular docking, and systematic experimental validation.

Methods: The active components of ECD were obtained from the TCMSP database and the potential targets of them were annotated by the STRING database. The CRC-related targets were identified from different databases (OMIM, DisGeNet, GeneCards, and DrugBank). The interactive targets of ECD and CRC were screened and the protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks were constructed. Then, the hub interactive targets were calculated and visualized from the PPI network using the Cytoscape software. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses were performed. In addition, the molecular docking was performed. Finally, systematic in vitro, in vivo and molecular biology experiments were performed to further explore the anti-tumor effects and underlying mechanisms of ECD in CRC.

Results: A total of 116 active components and 246 targets of ECD were predicted based on the component-target network analysis. 2406 CRC-related targets were obtained from different databases and 140 intersective targets were identified between ECD and CRC. 12 hub molecules (STAT3, JUN, MAPK3, TP53, MAPK1, RELA, FOS, ESR1, IL6, MAPK14, MYC, and CDKN1A) were finally screened from PPI network. GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analyses demonstrated that the biological discrepancy was mainly focused on the tumorigenesis-, immune-, and mechanism-related pathways. Based on the experimental validation, ECD could suppress the proliferation of CRC cells by inhibiting cell cycle and promoting cell apoptosis. In addition, ECD could inhibit tumor growth in mice. Finally, the results of molecular biology experiments suggested ECD could regulate the transcriptional levels of several hub molecules during the development of CRC, including MAPKs, PPARs, TP53, and STATs.

Conclusion: This study revealed the potential pharmacodynamic material basis and underlying molecular mechanisms of ECD in the treatment of CRC, providing a novel insight for us to find more effective anti-CRC drugs.