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Zeng P, Wang F, Zhang J, Ur Rashid H, Li X, Zhang P, Luo Y, Wu X. Integrating network pharmacology and experimental verification to investigate the pharmacological mechanisms of Buzhong Yiqi decoction in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer. Chem Biol Drug Des 2024; 103:e14414. [PMID: 38230796 DOI: 10.1111/cbdd.14414] [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: 07/31/2023] [Revised: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2024]
Abstract
Among all types of cancers, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) exhibits the highest mortality rate with a five-year survival rate below 17% for patients. The Buzhong Yiqi decoction (BZYQD), traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula, has been reported to exhibit clinical efficacy in the treatment of NSCLC. Nevertheless, the underlying molecular mechanism remains elusive. This study aimed to assess the mechanistic actions exerted by BZYQD against NSCLC using network pharmacological analysis and experimental validation. The public databases were searched for active compounds in BZYQD, their potential targets, and NSCLC-related targets. The protein-protein interaction (PPI) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses were performed to predict the core targets and signaling pathways of BZYQD against NSCLC. After screening, this study validated the results of predictions through in vitro experiments and public databases. We found 192 common targets between BZYQD and NSCLC. KEGG analysis showed that the anti-NSCLC effects of BZYQD were mediated through the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway. The results of in vitro experiment indicated that BZYQD could inhibit cell viability and proliferation of A549 and H1299 cells apart from inducing cell apoptosis. In addition, western blot results substantiated that BZYQD could treat NSCLC by inhibiting the activation of the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway. The current study investigated the pharmacological mechanism of BZYQD against NSCLC via network pharmacology and in vitro analyses. Overall, the results revealed that BZYQD could be a promising therapeutic agent for the treatment of NSCLC in the future. Still, more experimental investigations are needed to confirm the applicability of BZYQD for clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Panke Zeng
- Department of Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Feng Wang
- Department of Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Jianing Zhang
- Department of Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Haroon Ur Rashid
- Center for Chemical, Pharmaceutical and Food Sciences, Federal University of Pelotas (UFPel), Pelotas, Brazil
| | - Xin Li
- Department of Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Pengfei Zhang
- The First Clinical Medical College, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Yunru Luo
- The First Clinical Medical College, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Xinyu Wu
- The First Clinical Medical College, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
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Liu F, Li J, Zhou B, Shen Y, Tang J, Han J, Chen C, Shao K, Chen H, Yuan L. The Role of Emodin in the Treatment of Bladder Cancer Based on Network Pharmacology and Experimental Verification. Comb Chem High Throughput Screen 2024; 27:1661-1675. [PMID: 38504574 DOI: 10.2174/0113862073294990240122140121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2023] [Revised: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/21/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Emodin, a compound derived from rhubarb and various traditional Chinese medicines, exhibits a range of pharmacological actions, including antiinflammatory, antiviral, and anticancer properties. Nevertheless, its pharmacological impact on bladder cancer (BLCA) and the underlying mechanism are still unclear. This research aimed to analyze the pharmacological mechanisms of Emodin against BLCA using network pharmacology analysis and experimental verification. METHODS Initially, network pharmacology was employed to identify core targets and associated pathways affected by Emodin in bladder cancer. Subsequently, the expression of key targets in normal bladder tissues and BLCA tissues was assessed by searching the GEPIA and HPA databases. The binding energy between Emodin and key targets was predicted using molecular docking. Furthermore, in vitro experiments were carried out to confirm the predictions made with network pharmacology. RESULTS Our analysis identified 148 common genes targeted by Emodin and BLCA, with the top ten target genes including TP53, HSP90AA1, EGFR, MYC, CASP3, CDK1, PTPN11, EGF, ESR1, and TNF. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses indicated a significant correlation between Emodin and the PI3KAKT pathway in the context of BLCA. Molecular docking investigations revealed a strong affinity between Emodin and critical target proteins. In vitro experiments demonstrated that Emodin inhibits T24 proliferation, migration, and invasion while inducing cell apoptosis. The findings also indicated that Emodin reduces both PI3K and AKT protein and mRNA expression, suggesting that Emodin may mitigate BLCA by modulating the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway. CONCLUSION This study integrates network pharmacology with in vitro experimentation to elucidate the potential mechanisms underlying the action of Emodin against BLCA. The results of this research enhance our understanding of the pharmacological mechanisms by which Emodin may be employed in treating BLCA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fule Liu
- The First Clinical Medical College, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China
- Department of Urology, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210004, China
| | - Jianghao Li
- The First Clinical Medical College, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China
- Department of Urology, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210004, China
| | - Boruo Zhou
- The First Clinical Medical College, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China
- Department of Urology, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210004, China
| | - Yang Shen
- Department of Urology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Jiangsu Province Second Chinese Medicine Hospital, Jiangsu, 210017, China
| | - Jingyuan Tang
- Department of Urology, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210004, China
| | - Jie Han
- Department of Urology, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210004, China
| | - Changpeng Chen
- Department of Urology, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210004, China
- The First Clinical Medical College, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China
- Department of Urology, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210004, China
| | - Kang Shao
- The First Clinical Medical College, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China
- Department of Urology, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210004, China
| | - Haojie Chen
- The First Clinical Medical College, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China
- Department of Urology, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210004, China
| | - Lin Yuan
- Department of Urology, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210004, China
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Chen R, Song C, Qiu J, Su Q, Wang X, Deng G, Cheng K, Chen X, Xiang W, Liu T, Chen X, Wu J. Exploring the potential mechanism of Taohong Siwu decoction in the treatment of avascular necrosis of the femoral head based on network pharmacology and molecular docking. Medicine (Baltimore) 2023; 102:e35312. [PMID: 38115279 PMCID: PMC10727545 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000035312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2023] [Revised: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Based on network pharmacology and molecular docking, this study seeks to investigate the mechanism of Taohong Siwu decoction (THSWD) in the treatment of avascular necrosis of the femoral head (AVNFH). The Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology database was used in this investigation to obtain the active ingredients and related targets for each pharmaceutical constituent in THSWD. To find disease-related targets, the terms "avascular necrosis of the femoral head," "necrosis of the femoral head," "steroid-induced necrosis of the femoral head," "osteonecrosis," and "avascular necrosis of the bone" were searched in the databases DisGeNET, GeneCards, Comparative Toxicogenomics Database, and MalaCards. Following the identification of the overlap targets of THSWD and AVNFH, enrichment analysis using gene ontology, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes, Reactome, and WikiPathways was conducted. The "THSWD-drug-active compound-intersection gene-hub gene-AVNFH" network and protein-protein interaction network were built using Cytoscape 3.9.1 and string, and CytoHubba was used to screen hub genes. The binding activities of hub gene targets and key components were confirmed by molecular docking. 152 prospective therapeutic gene targets were found in the bioinformatics study of ONFH treated with THSWD, including 38 major gene targets and 10 hub gene targets. The enrichment analysis of 38 key therapeutic targets showed that the biological process of gene ontology analysis mainly involved cytokine-mediated signaling pathway, angiogenesis, cellular response to reactive oxygen species, death-inducing signaling complex. The Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes signaling pathway mainly involves TNF signaling pathway, IL-17 signaling pathway, and the Recactome pathway mainly involves Signaling by Interleukins, Apoptosis, and Intrinsic Pathway for Apoptosis. WikiPathways signaling pathway mainly involves TNF-related weak inducer of apoptosis signaling pathway, IL-18 signaling pathway. According to the findings of enrichment analysis, THSWD cured AVNFH by regulating angiogenesis, cellular hypoxia, inflammation, senescence, apoptosis, cytokines, and cellular proliferation through the aforementioned targets and signaling pathways. The primary component of THSWD exhibits a strong binding force with the key protein of AVNFH. This study sheds new light on the biological mechanism of THSWD in treating AVNFH by revealing the multi-component, multi-target, and multi-pathway features and molecular docking mechanism of THSWD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Chen
- Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology (Trauma and Bone-Setting), The Affiliated Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Chao Song
- Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology (Trauma and Bone-Setting), The Affiliated Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Junjie Qiu
- Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology (Trauma and Bone-Setting), The Affiliated Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Qifan Su
- Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology (Trauma and Bone-Setting), The Affiliated Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Xiaoqiang Wang
- Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology (Trauma and Bone-Setting), The Affiliated Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Guanghui Deng
- Department of Orthopedics, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Kang Cheng
- Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology (Trauma and Bone-Setting), The Affiliated Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Xiaoyu Chen
- Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology (Trauma and Bone-Setting), The Affiliated Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Wei Xiang
- Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology (Trauma and Bone-Setting), The Affiliated Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Tao Liu
- Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology (Trauma and Bone-Setting), The Affiliated Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Xiaojun Chen
- Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology (Trauma and Bone-Setting), The Affiliated Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Jiaqi Wu
- Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology (Trauma and Bone-Setting), The Affiliated Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan Province, China
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Xue C, Luo H, Wang L, Deng Q, Kui W, Da W, Chen L, Liu S, Xue Y, Yang J, Li L, Du W, Shi Q, Li X. Aconine attenuates osteoclast-mediated bone resorption and ferroptosis to improve osteoporosis via inhibiting NF-κB signaling. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1234563. [PMID: 38034017 PMCID: PMC10682992 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1234563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Osteoporosis (OP), a prevalent public health concern primarily caused by osteoclast-induced bone resorption, requires potential therapeutic interventions. Natural compounds show potential as therapeutics for postmenopausal OP. Emerging evidence from in vitro osteoclastogenesis assay suggests that aconine (AC) serves as an osteoclast differentiation regulator without causing cytotoxicity. However, the in vivo functions of AC in various OP models need clarification. To address this, we administered intraperitoneal injections of AC to ovariectomy (OVX)-induced OP mice for 8 weeks and found that AC effectively reversed the OP phenotype of OVX mice, leading to a reduction in vertebral bone loss and restoration of high bone turnover markers. Specifically, AC significantly suppressed osteoclastogenesis in vivo and in vitro by decreasing the expression of osteoclast-specific genes such as NFATc1, c-Fos, Cathepsin K, and Mmp9. Importantly, AC can regulate osteoclast ferroptosis by suppressing Gpx4 and upregulating Acsl4, which is achieved through inhibition of the phosphorylation of I-κB and p65 in the NF-κB signaling pathway. These findings suggest that AC is a potential therapeutic option for managing OP by suppressing NF-κB signaling-mediated osteoclast ferroptosis and formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunchun Xue
- Shanghai Municipal Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Huan Luo
- Department of Pharmacy, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Libo Wang
- Longhua Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Qing Deng
- Shanghai Municipal Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Wenyun Kui
- Shanghai Municipal Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Weiwei Da
- Shanghai Municipal Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Lin Chen
- Shanghai Municipal Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Shuang Liu
- Shanghai Municipal Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yongpeng Xue
- Shanghai Municipal Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiafan Yang
- Shanghai Municipal Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Lingxing Li
- Shanghai Municipal Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Wenlan Du
- Shanghai Municipal Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Qi Shi
- Shanghai Municipal Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaofeng Li
- Shanghai Municipal Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
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Fang T, Xu R, Sun S, He Y, Yan Y, Fu H, Luo H, Cao Y, Tao M. Caizhixuan hair tonic regulates both apoptosis and the PI3K/Akt pathway to treat androgenetic alopecia. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0282427. [PMID: 36827412 PMCID: PMC9956876 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0282427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 02/26/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Caizhixuan hair tonic (CZX) is a topical traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) preparation for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia (AGA). However, its active compounds and underlying mechanism for treating AGA are still unclear. The purpose of this study was to observe the effects of CZX on hair growth promotion in AGA mice and to explore the active components and mechanism. METHODS Testosterone propionate was administered subcutaneously to mice to establish an AGA mouse model. The therapeutic effects of CZX on AGA were evaluated by observing skin colour changes, hair growth time, and average hair length; calculating the hair growth score; and performing skin histopathological analysis. Following that, CZX chemical components were analysed by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF/MS). Network pharmacology was used to predict the major effects and possible mechanisms of CZX for the treatment of AGA. Furthermore, RT-qPCR and Western blotting were performed to assess the expression of key genes and proteins involved in PI3K/Akt and apoptosis pathways in order to validate CZX's predicted mechanism in AGA. RESULTS CZX promoted hair growth and improved the pathological morphology of hair follicles in the skin. In UPLC-Q-TOF/MS analysis, 69 components from CZX were isolated. Based on network pharmacology, CZX alleviated AGA by regulating PI3K/Akt and apoptosis pathways. According to RT-qPCR and Western blotting, CZX upregulated the expressions of PI3K, Akt, and Bcl-2, while downregulating that of Bax and caspase-3. CONCLUSIONS CZX promotes hair growth to treat AGA by regulating the PI3K/Akt and apoptosis pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tingting Fang
- The First Clinical Medical College of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Ruofei Xu
- Longyou County People’s Hospital, Longyou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Shaopeng Sun
- The First Clinical Medical College of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yineng He
- The First Clinical Medical College of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yi Yan
- The First Clinical Medical College of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Hongyang Fu
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Hongbin Luo
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yi Cao
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Maocan Tao
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China,* E-mail:
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