Identifying the Mechanism of Polygoni Cuspidati Rhizoma et Radix in Treating Acute Liver Failure Based on Network Pharmacology and Molecular Docking

Swertia cincta Burkill alleviates LPS/D-GalN-induced acute liver failure by modulating apoptosis and oxidative stress signaling pathways

Swertia cincta Burkill is widely distributed along the southwestern region of China. It is known as "Dida" in Tibetan and "Qingyedan" in Chinese medicine. It was used in folk medicine to treat hepatitis and other liver diseases. To understand how Swertia cincta Burkill extract (ESC) protects against acute liver failure (ALF), firstly, the active ingredients of ESC were identified using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS), and further screening. Next, network pharmacology analyses were performed to identify the core targets of ESC against ALF and further determine the potential mechanisms. Finally, in vivo experiments as well as in vitro experiments were conducted for further validation. The results revealed that 72 potential targets of ESC were identified using target prediction. The core targets were ALB, ERBB2, AKT1, MMP9, EGFR, PTPRC, MTOR, ESR1, VEGFA, and HIF1A. Next, KEGG pathway analysis showed that EGFR and PI3K-AKT signaling pathways could have been involved in ESC against ALF. ESC exhibits hepatic protective functions via anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-apoptotic effects. Therefore, the EGFR-ERK, PI3K-AKT, and NRF2/HO-1 signaling pathways could participate in the therapeutic effects of ESC on ALF.

Through network pharmacology and molecular docking to explore the underlying mechanism of Artemisia annua L. treating in abdominal aortic aneurysm

Background: Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a degenerative disease that causes health problems in humans. However, there are no effective drugs for the treatment of AAA. Artemisia annua L. (A. annua) is a traditional herbal that has been widely used in cardiovascular disease. Based on network pharmacology and molecular docking technology, this study predicted the practical components and potential mechanisms of A. annua inhibiting the occurrence and development of AAA.

Methods: The main active ingredients and targets of A. annua were screened through the TCMSP database; the GeneCards, OMIM, PharmGkb, and TTD databases were used to search for the targeted genes of AAA and map them to the targets of the active ingredients to obtain the active ingredient therapy of A. annua. The targets of AAA were to construct a protein interaction network through the STRING platform. R software was used to carry out the enrichment analysis of GO and KEGG for relevant targets, and Cytoscape was used to construct the active ingredient-target network prediction model of A. annua. Finally, AutoDock Vina was used to verify the results of the active ingredients and critical targets.

Results: The main active ingredients obtained from A. annua for the treatment of AAA include quercetin, luteolin, kaempferol, isorhamnetin, and artemetin, as well as 117 effective targets, including RELA, MAPK14, CCND1, MAPK1, AKT1, MYC, MAPK8, TP53, ESR1, FOS, and JUN. The 11 targeted genes might play a key role in disease treatment. Enriched in 2115 GO biological processes, 159 molecular functions, 56 cellular components, and 156 KEGG pathways, inferred that its mechanism of action might be related to PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, fluid shear stress, atherosclerosis, and AGE-RAGE signaling pathway. Molecular docking results showed that the top five active components of A. annua had a good affinity for core disease targets and played a central role in treating AAA. The low binding energy molecular docking results provided valuable information for the development of drugs to treat AAA.

Conclusion: Therefore, A. annua may have multiple components, multiple targets, and multiple signaling pathways to play a role in treating AAA. A. annua may have the potential to treat AAA.