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He J, Chen L, Wang P, Cen B, Li J, Wei Y, Yao X, Xu Z. Network pharmacology and experimental validation of effects of total saponins extracted from Abrus cantoniensis Hance on acetaminophen-induced liver injury. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2024; 324:117740. [PMID: 38219885 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2024.117740] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2023] [Revised: 01/06/2024] [Accepted: 01/07/2024] [Indexed: 01/16/2024]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Abrus cantoniensis Hance (AC), an abrus cantoniensis herb, is a Chinese medicinal herb used for the treatment of hepatitis. Total saponins extracted from AC (ACS) are a compound of triterpenoid saponins, which have protective properties against both chemical and immunological liver injuries. Nevertheless, ACS has not been proven to have an influence on drug-induced liver injury (DILI). AIM OF THE STUDY This study used network pharmacology and experiments to investigate the effects of ACS on acetaminophen (APAP)-induced liver injury. MATERIALS AND METHODS The targets associated with ACS and DILI were obtained from online databases. Cytoscape software was utilized to construct a "compound-target" network. In addition, Gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses were used to analyze the related signaling pathways impacted by ACS. AutoDock Vina was utilized to evaluate the binding affinity between bioactive compounds and the key targets. To validate the findings of network pharmacology, in vitro and in vivo experiments were conducted. Cell viability assay, transaminase activity detection, immunofluorescence assay, immunohistochemistry staining, RT-qPCR, and western blotting were utilized to explore the effects of ACS. RESULTS 25 active compounds and 217 targets of ACS were screened, of which 94 common targets were considered as potential targets for ACS treating APAP-induced liver injury. GO and KEGG analyses showed that the effects of ACS exert their effects on liver injury through suppressing inflammatory response, oxidative stress, and apoptosis. Molecular docking results demonstrated that core active compounds of ACS were successfully docked to core targets such as CASP3, BCL2L1, MAPK8, MAPK14, PTGS2, and NOS2. In vitro experiments showed that ACS effectively attenuated APAP-induced damage through suppressing transaminase activity and attenuating apoptosis. Furthermore, in vivo studies demonstrated that ACS alleviated pathological changes in APAP-treated mice and attenuated inflammatory response. Additionally, ACS downregulated the expression of iNOS, COX2, and Caspase-3, and upregulated the expression of Bcl-2. ACS also suppressed the MAPK signaling pathway. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrated that ACS is a hepatoprotective drug through the combination of network pharmacology and in vitro and in vivo experiments. The findings reveal that ACS effectively attenuate APAP-induced oxidative stress, apoptosis, and inflammation through inhibiting the MAPK signaling pathway. Consequently, this research offers novel evidence supporting the potential preventive efficacy of ACS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiali He
- Clinical Pharmacy Center, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, Guangdong Province, China; National Medical Products Administration Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Drug Metabolism & Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Leping Chen
- Clinical Pharmacy Center, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, Guangdong Province, China; Department of Pharmacy, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Ping Wang
- Clinical Pharmacy Center, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, Guangdong Province, China; National Medical Products Administration Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Drug Metabolism & Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Bohong Cen
- Clinical Pharmacy Center, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, Guangdong Province, China; National Medical Products Administration Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Drug Metabolism & Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Jinxia Li
- Clinical Pharmacy Center, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, Guangdong Province, China; National Medical Products Administration Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Drug Metabolism & Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Yerong Wei
- Clinical Pharmacy Center, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, Guangdong Province, China; National Medical Products Administration Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Drug Metabolism & Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Xiangcao Yao
- Clinical Pharmacy Center, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, Guangdong Province, China; National Medical Products Administration Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Drug Metabolism & Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, Guangdong Province, China.
| | - Zhongyuan Xu
- Clinical Pharmacy Center, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, Guangdong Province, China; National Medical Products Administration Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Drug Metabolism & Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, Guangdong Province, China.
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Zhou A, Zhou C, Wang D, Qian M, Huang L. Network pharmacology integrated with experimental validation revealed potential molecular mechanisms of Camellia nitidissima C. W. Chi in the treatment of lung cancer. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2023; 314:116576. [PMID: 37142145 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2023.116576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2023] [Revised: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 05/01/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Camellia nitidissima C.W.Chi (CNC), an ethnomedicine mainly distributed in Southern China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, is known as "Panda in plants" and "Camellias Queen" due to its golden blossom. CNC has been applied as a traditional folk medicine in cancer therapy. AIM OF THE STUDY This study utilized network pharmacology analysis combined with experimental validation to identify the substance basis and potential molecular mechanism of CNC against lung cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS The active ingredients of CNC were identified based on published literature. The associated potential targets of CNC in lung cancer treatment were predicted using integrated network pharmacology analysis and molecular docking. The underlying molecular mechanism of CNC in lung cancer were validated in human lung cancer cell lines. RESULTS A total of 30 active ingredients and 53 targets of CNC were screened. An enrichment analysis of Gene Ontology (GO) revealed that the effects of CNC in lung cancer mainly involve protein binding, regulation of cell proliferation and apoptosis, and signal transduction. KEGG pathways analysis suggested that CNC might exert cancer suppression effects mainly through pathways in cancer, PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. Molecular docking revealed that CNC has high affinity for binding of EGFR, SRC, AKT1, and CCND1 to the key active ingredients including luteolin, kaempferol, quercetin, eriodictyol and 3'4-O-dimethylcedrusin. In in vitro experiments, CNC played the inhibitory roles in lung cancer cells by inducing cell apoptosis, causing G0/G1 and S cell cycle arrest, increasing intracellular ROS levels, and promoting the apoptotic proteins Bax and Caspase-3. Meanwhile, CNC also regulated the expression of core proteins EGFR, SRC, and AKT. CONCLUSION These results comprehensively clarified the associated substance basis and underlying molecular mechanism of CNC against lung cancer, which would be contributed to develop promising anti-cancer pharmaceuticals or therapeutic approaches for lung cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ailing Zhou
- Guangxi Scientific Research Centre of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning, Guangxi, 530200, China.
| | - Chong Zhou
- College of Basic Medical Science, Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning, Guangxi, 530200, China.
| | - Duanheng Wang
- Guangxi Scientific Research Centre of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning, Guangxi, 530200, China.
| | - Mingming Qian
- College of Basic Medical Science, Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning, Guangxi, 530200, China.
| | - Li Huang
- Guangxi Scientific Research Centre of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning, Guangxi, 530200, China.
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Xie B, Zhu Y, Shen Y, Xu W, Song X. Treatment update for vitiligo based on autoimmune inhibition and melanocyte protection. Expert Opin Ther Targets 2023; 27:189-206. [PMID: 36947026 DOI: 10.1080/14728222.2023.2193329] [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: 03/23/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The treatment of vitiligo remains challenging due to the complexity of its pathogenesis, influenced by genetic factors, oxidative stress and abnormal cell adhesion that collectively impact melanocyte survival and trigger immune system attacks, resulting in melanocyte death. Melanocytes in vitiligo are believed to exhibit genetic susceptibility and defects in cellular mechanisms, such as defects in autophagy, that reduce their ability to resist oxidative stress, leading to increased expression of the pro-inflammatory protein HSP70. The low expression of adhesion molecules, such as DDR1 and E-cadherin, accelerates melanocyte damage and antigen exposure. Consequently, autoimmune attacks centered on IFN-γ-CXCR9/10-CXCR3-CD8+ T cells are initiated, causing vitiligo. AREAS COVERED This review discusses the latest knowledge on the pathogenesis of vitiligo and potential therapeutic targets from the perspective of suppressing autoimmune attacks and activating melanocytes functions. EXPERT OPINION Vitiligo is one of the most challenging dermatological diseases due to its complex pathogenesis with diverse therapeutic targets. Immune suppression, such as corticosteroids and emerging JAK inhibitors, has proven effective in disease progression. However, during the early stages of the disease, it is also important to optimize therapeutic strategies to activate melanocytes for alleviating oxidative stress and improving treatment outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Xie
- Department of Dermatology, Hangzhou Third People's Hospital, Hangzhou Third Hospital Affiliated to Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Affiliated Hangzhou Dermatology Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine; West Lake Ave 38, Hangzhou, 310009, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuqi Zhu
- Department of Dermatology, Hangzhou Third People's Hospital, Hangzhou Third Hospital Affiliated to Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Affiliated Hangzhou Dermatology Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine; West Lake Ave 38, Hangzhou, 310009, People's Republic of China
- Zhejiang Chinese Medical University; Binwen Rd 548, Hangzhou, 310053, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuqing Shen
- Department of Dermatology, Hangzhou Third People's Hospital, Hangzhou Third Hospital Affiliated to Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Affiliated Hangzhou Dermatology Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine; West Lake Ave 38, Hangzhou, 310009, People's Republic of China
- Zhejiang Chinese Medical University; Binwen Rd 548, Hangzhou, 310053, People's Republic of China
| | - Wen Xu
- Department of Dermatology, Hangzhou Third People's Hospital, Hangzhou Third Hospital Affiliated to Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Affiliated Hangzhou Dermatology Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine; West Lake Ave 38, Hangzhou, 310009, People's Republic of China
- Zhejiang University School of Medicine; Yuhangtang Rd 866, Hangzhou, 310058, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiuzu Song
- Department of Dermatology, Hangzhou Third People's Hospital, Hangzhou Third Hospital Affiliated to Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Affiliated Hangzhou Dermatology Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine; West Lake Ave 38, Hangzhou, 310009, People's Republic of China
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Potential Molecular Mechanisms of Ephedra Herb in the Treatment of Nephrotic Syndrome Based on Network Pharmacology and Molecular Docking. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2022; 2022:9214589. [PMID: 35837376 PMCID: PMC9276517 DOI: 10.1155/2022/9214589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2021] [Revised: 04/30/2022] [Accepted: 06/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Objective To explore the possible mechanisms of Ephedra herb (EH) in the treatment of nephrotic syndrome (NS) by using network pharmacology and molecular docking in this study. Methods Active ingredients and related targets of EH were obtained from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology (TCMSP) database, and the gene names corresponding to the proteins were found through the UniProt database. Then, target genes related to NS were screened out from GeneCards, PharmGKB, and OMIM databases. Next, the intersection targets were obtained successfully through Venn diagram, which were also seen as key target genes of EH and NS. Cytoscape 3.9.0 software was used to construct the effective “active ingredient-target” network diagram, and “drug-ingredient-target-disease (D-I-T-D)” network diagram. After that, the STRING database was used to construct a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network. Furthermore, Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment involved in the targets were performed by the DAVID database and ClueGO plugin in Cytoscape. Finally, AutoDockTools software was used for molecular docking to verify the binding strength between main active ingredients and key target proteins. Results A total of 22 main active ingredients such as quercetin, kaempferol, luteolin, and naringenin were obtained, which could act on 105 targets related to NS. Through PPI network, 53 core targets such as AKT1, TNF, IL6, VEGFA, and IL1B were found, which might play a crucial role in the treatment of NS. Meanwhile, these targets were significantly involved in PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, TNF signaling pathway, AGE-RAGE signaling pathway, hepatitis B, and pathways in cancer through GO and KEGG enrichment analysis. The docking results indicated that active ingredients such as kaempferol, luteolin, quercetin, and naringenin all had good binding to the target protein AKT1 or TNF. Among them, luteolin and naringenin binding with AKT1 showed the best binding energy (-6.2 kcal/mol). Conclusion This study indicated that the potential mechanism of EH in treating NS may be related to PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, TNF signaling pathway, and AGE-RAGE signaling pathway, which provided better approaches for exploring the mechanism in treating NS and new ideas for further in vivo and in vitro experimental verifications.
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Li X, Ge J, Li M, Deng S, Li J, Ma Y, Zhang J, Zheng Y, Ma L. Network pharmacology, molecular docking technology integrated with pharmacodynamic study to reveal the potential targets of Schisandrol A in drug-induced liver injury by acetaminophen. Bioorg Chem 2021; 118:105476. [PMID: 34788696 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2021.105476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2021] [Revised: 07/02/2021] [Accepted: 11/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus (SCF) was a Traditional Chinese Medicine for protecting liver. However, underlying therapeutic mechanisms of these bioactive lignans from SCF similar hepatoprotective effects against drug-induced liver injury (DILI) by acetaminophen (APAP) are still unclear. This study aims to discover the potential regulation mechanisms of Schisandrol A in the treatment of DILI by APAP. The integrated UPLC-Q-TOF/MS, pharmacodynamic study, histopathological combination with network pharmacology and molecular docking technology were used to explore the potential mechanisms. The results showed that Schisandrol A reduced the level of AST, ALT, MDA, PNP, TNF-α and IL-1β, increased the levels of the GSH against acute liver failure. Additionally, Schisandrol A could improve the morphological characteristics of DILI by APAP in mice with liver tissue. Molecular docking results had showed that Schisandrol A with high scores when docking with COX-2, ALOX5, CYP2E1, CYP2C9, CYP2C19, EGFR SRC, Nrf2, MAPK14 and MAPK8. The study demonstrated that Schisandrol A could play critical roles in DILI by APAP via regulating TNF signaling pathway, inhibiting oxidative stress, inflammation and inhibiting the activities of cytochrome P450 enzymes, which contributed to searching for leading compounds and the development of new drugs for DILI by APAP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiankuan Li
- Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 301617, PR China
| | - Jiaming Ge
- Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 301617, PR China
| | - Mengyuan Li
- Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 301617, PR China
| | - Sha Deng
- Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 301617, PR China
| | - Jiarong Li
- Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 301617, PR China
| | - Yucong Ma
- Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, 130117, PR China
| | - Jian Zhang
- Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 301617, PR China
| | - Yanchao Zheng
- Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 301617, PR China.
| | - Lin Ma
- Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 301617, PR China.
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Wang J, Luo L, Ding Q, Wu Z, Peng Y, Li J, Wang X, Li W, Liu G, Zhang B, Tang Y. Development of a Multi-Target Strategy for the Treatment of Vitiligo via Machine Learning and Network Analysis Methods. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:754175. [PMID: 34603063 PMCID: PMC8479195 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.754175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2021] [Accepted: 09/03/2021] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Vitiligo is a complex disorder characterized by the loss of pigment in the skin. The current therapeutic strategies are limited. The identification of novel drug targets and candidates is highly challenging for vitiligo. Here we proposed a systematic framework to discover potential therapeutic targets, and further explore the underlying mechanism of kaempferide, one of major ingredients from Vernonia anthelmintica (L.) willd, for vitiligo. By collecting transcriptome and protein-protein interactome data, the combination of random forest (RF) and greedy articulation points removal (GAPR) methods was used to discover potential therapeutic targets for vitiligo. The results showed that the RF model performed well with AUC (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve) = 0.926, and led to prioritization of 722 important transcriptomic features. Then, network analysis revealed that 44 articulation proteins in vitiligo network were considered as potential therapeutic targets by the GAPR method. Finally, through integrating the above results and proteomic profiling of kaempferide, the multi-target strategy for vitiligo was dissected, including 1) the suppression of the p38 MAPK signaling pathway by inhibiting CDK1 and PBK, and 2) the modulation of cellular redox homeostasis, especially the TXN and GSH antioxidant systems, for the purpose of melanogenesis. Meanwhile, this strategy may offer a novel perspective to discover drug candidates for vitiligo. Thus, the framework would be a useful tool to discover potential therapeutic strategies and drug candidates for complex diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiye Wang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Lin Luo
- Key Laboratory of Xinjiang Phytomedicine Resources of Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Shihezi University, Shihezi, China
| | - Qiong Ding
- Key Laboratory of Xinjiang Phytomedicine Resources of Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Shihezi University, Shihezi, China
| | - Zengrui Wu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Yayuan Peng
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Jie Li
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaoqin Wang
- Key Laboratory of Xinjiang Phytomedicine Resources of Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Shihezi University, Shihezi, China.,Key Laboratory of Medicinal and Edible Plants Resources Development of Sichuan Education Department, Sichuan Industrial Institute of Antibiotics, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University, Chengdu, China
| | - Weihua Li
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Guixia Liu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Bo Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Xinjiang Phytomedicine Resources of Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Shihezi University, Shihezi, China.,Key Laboratory of Medicinal and Edible Plants Resources Development of Sichuan Education Department, Sichuan Industrial Institute of Antibiotics, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yun Tang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
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