Exploration of the Potential Mechanism of Tao Hong Si Wu Decoction for the Treatment of Breast Cancer Based on Network Pharmacology and In Vitro Experimental Verification

Molecular mechanisms underlying Tao-Hong-Si-Wu decoction treating hyperpigmentation based on network pharmacology, Mendelian randomization analysis, and experimental verification

CONTEXT

Hyperpigmentation, a common skin condition marked by excessive melanin production, currently has limited effective treatment options.

OBJECTIVE

This study explores the effects of Tao-Hong-Si-Wu decoction (THSWD) on hyperpigmentation and to elucidate the underlying mechanisms.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We employed network pharmacology, Mendelian randomization, and molecular docking to identify THSWD's hub targets and mechanisms against hyperpigmentation. The Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay determined suitable THSWD treatment concentrations for PIG1 cells. These cells were exposed to graded concentrations of THSWD-containing serum (2.5%, 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 30%, 40%, and 50%) and treated with α-MSH (100 nM) to induce an in vitro hyperpigmentation model. Assessments included melanin content, tyrosinase activity, and Western blotting.

RESULTS

ALB, IL6, and MAPK3 emerged as primary targets, while quercetin, apigenin, and luteolin were the core active ingredients. The CCK-8 assay indicated that concentrations between 2.5% and 20% were suitable for PIG1 cells, with a 50% cytotoxicity concentration (CC50) of 32.14%. THSWD treatment significantly reduced melanin content and tyrosinase activity in α-MSH-induced PIG1 cells, along with downregulating MC1R and MITF expression. THSWD increased ALB and p-MAPK3/MAPK3 levels and decreased IL6 expression in the model cells.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

THSWD mitigates hyperpigmentation by targeting ALB, IL6, and MAPK3. This study paves the way for clinical applications of THSWD as a novel treatment for hyperpigmentation and offers new targeted therapeutic strategies.

Mechanism of Fuzheng Qudu prescription in the treatment of lung cancer based on network pharmacology and experimental validation

Objective

This research utilized network pharmacology to investigate the potential of Fuzheng Qudu prescription (FZQDP) in treating lung cancer (LC).

Methods

The components and their targets of FZQDP were analyzed for their relationship with LC-related targets using bioinformatics tools. Mouse Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC) cells were cultured in vitro and treated with FZQDP or cisplatin (DDP) before applying the MTT assay to determine FZQDP concentrations, and the IC50 value. According to the IC50 value, the effect of FZQDP on apoptosis and cell cycle was detected by flow cytometry. Mouse tumor growth was recorded using live animal imaging, and measurements of tumor and spleen weight were used to calculate the tumor inhibition rate and spleen index. The effects on mouse liver and kidneys were observed by analyzing levels of AST, ALT, BUN, and CRE in blood and hematoxylin and eosin (H & E) stained sections. Additionally, levels of IL-2, IL-10, IL-6, and IFN-γ in serum, along with the frequencies of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in the spleen, were measured using Mouse multiple Cytokine Assay and flow cytometry, respectively.

Results

SRC, STAT3, MAPK3, and MAPK1 could be crucial targets of FZQDP in the treatment of LC. FZQDP demonstrated inhibition of LC cell proliferation and tumor growth, as well as enhancement of apoptosis and induction of G2 phase cell cycle arrest. Furthermore, FZQDP led to elevated levels of IL-2 and IFN-γ, increased frequencies of CD4+ T cells and decreased levels of IL-6 and IL-10. Importantly, FZQDP did not exhibit any noticeable hepatotoxic or nephrotoxic effects in mice.

Conclusion

FZQDP may target multiple signaling pathways to treat LC. In a LC mouse model, FZQDP was found to inhibit tumor growth and improve immune function.

Application of network pharmacology in synergistic action of Chinese herbal compounds

Herbal medicines are frequently blended in the form of multi-drug combinations primarily based on the precept of medicinal compatibility, to achieve the purpose of treating diseases. However, due to the lack of appropriate techniques and the multi-component and multi-target nature of Chinese medicine compounding, it is tough to explain how the drugs interact with each other. As a rising discipline, cyber pharmacology has formed a new approach characterized by using holistic and systematic "network targets" via the cross-fertilization of computer technology, bioinformatics, and different multidisciplinary disciplines. It can broadly screen the active ingredients of traditional Chinese medicine, enhance the effective utilization of drugs, and elucidate the mechanism of drug action. We will overview the principles of Chinese medicine compounding and dispensing, the research methods of network pharmacology, and the software of network pharmacology in the lookup of compounded Chinese medicines, aiming to supply thoughts for the better application of network pharmacology in the research of Chinese medicines.

Network Pharmacology and Experimental Validation to Explore the Potential Mechanism of Nigella sativa for the Treatment of Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is a prevalent and potentially life-threatening disease that affects women worldwide. Natural products have gained attention as potential anticancer agents due to their fewer side effects, low toxicity, and cost effectiveness compared to traditional chemotherapy drugs. In the current study, the network pharmacology approach was used following a molecular docking study to evaluate the therapeutic potential of N. sativa-derived phytochemicals against breast cancer. Specifically, the study aimed to identify potential anticancer agents targeting key proteins implicated in breast cancer progression. Five proteins (i.e., EGFR, MAPK3, ESR1, MAPK1, and PTGS2) associated with breast cancer were selected as receptor proteins. Fourteen phytochemicals from N. sativa were prioritized based on drug-likeness (DL) and oral bioavailability (OB) parameters (with criteria set at DL > 0.18 and OB > 30%, respectively). Subsequent analysis of gene targets identified 283 overlapping genes primarily related to breast cancer pathogenesis. Ten hub genes were identified through topological analysis based on their significance in the KEGG pathway and GO annotations. Molecular docking revealed strong binding affinities between folic acid, betulinic acid, stigmasterol, and selected receptor proteins. These phytochemicals also demonstrated druggability potential. In vitro experiments in the MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell line revealed that betulinic acid and stigmasterol significantly reduced cell viability after 24 h of treatment, confirming their anticancer activity. Furthermore, in vivo evaluation using a DMBA-induced rat model showed that betulinic acid and stigmasterol contributed to the significant recovery of cancer markers. This study aimed to explore the mechanisms underlying the anticancer potential of N. sativa phytochemicals against breast cancer, with the ultimate goal of identifying novel therapeutic candidates for future drug development. Overall, these results highlight betulinic acid and stigmasterol as promising candidates to develop novel anticancer agents against breast cancer. The comprehensive approach of this study, which integrates network pharmacology and molecular docking study and its experimental validation, strengthens the evidence supporting the therapeutic benefits of N. sativa-derived phytochemicals in breast cancer treatment, making them promising candidates for the development of novel anticancer agents against breast cancer.

The therapeutic effect of traditional Chinese medicine on breast cancer through modulation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway

Breast cancer, the most prevalent malignant tumor among women globally, is significantly influenced by the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, which plays a crucial role in its initiation and progression. While conventional chemotherapy, the standard clinical treatment, suffers from significant drawbacks like severe side effects, high toxicity, and limited prognostic efficacy, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) provides a promising alternative. TCM employs a multi-targeted therapeutic approach, which results in fewer side effects and offers a high potential for effective treatment. This paper presents a detailed analysis of the therapeutic impacts of TCM on various subtypes of breast cancer, focusing on its interaction with the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Additionally, it explores the effectiveness of both monomeric and compound forms of TCM in the management of breast cancer. We also discuss the potential of establishing biomarkers for breast cancer treatment based on key proteins within the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Our aim is to offer new insights into the prevention and treatment of breast cancer and to contribute to the standardization of TCM.

Taohong Siwu decoction ameliorates atherosclerosis in rats possibly through toll-like receptor 4/myeloid differentiation primary response protein 88/nuclear factor-κB signal pathway

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effect of Taohong Siwu decoction (, TSD) on atherosclerosis in rats as well as investigate the underlying mechanism based on molecular docking.

METHODS

Sixty healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 6 groups with 10 rats in each group: control group, model group, atorvastatin group (AT, 2.0 mg/kg), and TSD groups (20, 10, 5 g/kg) after 7 d of acclimation. The model of atherosclerosis was successfully established except the control group by high fat diet (HFD) and vitamin D2. Biochemical analyzers were used to detect the levels of triglyceride (TG), total cholestero (TC), low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) and high density lipid-cholesterol (HDL-C) in blood lipid. The levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Sudan IV staining and Hematoxylin and eosin staining (HE staining) were performed to observe the pathological changes in aortic tissue. Molecular docking technology was used to predict the best matching between the main components of TSD and the target proteins. The expression of target proteins was further detected by quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blot analysis.

RESULTS

The results showed that TSD restricted atherosclerosis development and decreased the inflammatory cytokines in plasma. Molecular docking results predicted that the main components of TSD showed a strong binding ability with toll-like receptor (TLR4), myeloid differentiation primary response protein 88 (MyD88), and nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB). The results of qRT-PCR and Western blot analysis showed that the mRNA and protein expressions of TLR4, MyD88 and NF-κB p65 in the aorta were reduced in atorvastatin group and TSD group.

CONCLUSIONS

TSD can ameliorate atherosclerosis in rats, and the underlying mechanism is supposed be related to the suppression of inflammatory response by regulating TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signal pathway.

Mechanisms of Xiaozheng decoction for anti-bladder cancer effects via affecting the GSK3β/β-catenin signaling pathways: a network pharmacology-directed experimental investigation

PURPOSE

The combination of Xiaozheng decoction with postoperative intravesical instillation has been shown to improve the prognosis of bladder cancer patients and prevent recurrence. However, the mechanisms underlying the efficacy of this herbal formula remain largely unclear. This research aims to identify the important components of Xiaozheng decoction and explore their anti-bladder cancer effect and mechanism using network pharmacology-based experiments.

METHODS

The chemical ingredients of each herb in the Xiaozheng decoction were collected from the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) database. Network pharmacology was employed to predict the target proteins and pathways of action. Disease databases were utilized to identify target genes associated with bladder cancer. A Protein-Protein Interaction (PPI) network was constructed to illustrate the interaction with intersected target proteins. Key targets were identified using Gene Ontology (GO) and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) functional enrichment analysis. A compound-target-pathway network was established after molecular docking predictions. In vitro experiments with bladder cancer cell lines were conducted using core chemical components confirmed by ultra-performance liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-qTOF-MS) to verify the conclusions of network pharmacology.

RESULTS

45 active compounds were extracted, and their relationships with Traditional Chinese Medicines (TCMs) and protein targets were presented, comprising 7 herbs, 45 active compounds, and 557 protein targets. The intersection between potential TCM target genes and bladder cancer-related genes yielded 322 genes. GO and KEGG analyses indicated that these targets may be involved in numerous cancer-related pathways. Molecular docking results showed that candidate compounds except mandenol could form stable conformations with the receptor. In vitro experiments on three bladder cancer cell lines demonstrated that quercetin and two other impressive new compounds, bisdemethoxycurcumin (BDMC) and kumatakenin, significantly promoted cancer cell apoptosis through the B-cell lymphoma 2/Bcl-2-associated X (Bcl-2/BAX) pathway and inhibited proliferation and migration through the glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta (GSK3β)/β-catenin pathway.

CONCLUSION

By employing network pharmacology and conducting in vitro experiments, the mechanism of Xiaozheng decoction's effect against bladder cancer was tentatively elucidated, and its main active ingredients and targets were identified, providing a scientific basis for future research.

Potential mechanism of Taohong Siwu Decoction in uterine fibroid treatment based on integrated strategy of network pharmacology and experimental verification

BACKGROUND

Taohong Siwu Decoction (THSWD) is a widely prescribed Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for treating gynecological diseases. It is used to treat uterine fibroids (UF) in China, while its potential therapeutic effects and mechanism are unknown.

METHODS

The present study used network pharmacology to identify PI3K/AKT as one of the main THSWD signaling pathways that can be targeted to treat UF. The potential binding sites of miR-21-5p to PTEN were predicted using online databases. We were able to establish a UF rat model successfully. We selected the 15% THSWD serum after preparing THSWD drug-containing serum to culture tumor tissue-derived cells. These studies enabled us to assess the role of THSWD in UF improvement.

RESULTS

In vivo, we observed that low, medium, and high doses of THSWD improved histological changes in UF rats by increasing the expression levels of PTEN and miR-21-5p in their uterus while decreasing the expression levels of p-PI3K, p-AKT, and miR-21-5p. Treatment with THSWD medicated serum (15%) effectively inhibited the proliferation of cells derived from human UF and promoted apoptosis in vitro. PI3K phosphorylation, Akt phosphorylation, and miR-21-5p expression were decreased, while PTEN and cleaved caspase-3 were increased. These findings were reversed by administering 740 Y-P (a PI3K/Akt pathway agonist) and a miR-21-5p mimic. In addition, the double luciferase reporter gene assay confirmed the targeted binding relationship between miR-21-5p and PTEN.

CONCLUSIONS

THSWD inhibited the expression and activation of the PI3K/AKT and miR-21-5p/PTEN pathways, resulting in anti-UF activity in leiomyoma cell models. Our findings suggest that THSWD could be used to treat UF.

Analysis of Potential Mechanism of Herbal Formula Taohong Siwu Decoction against Vascular Dementia Based on Network Pharmacology and Molecular Docking

Vascular dementia (VaD) is the second most prevalent dementia, which is attributable to neurovascular dysfunction. Currently, no approved pharmaceuticals are available. Taohong Siwu decoction (TSD) is a traditional Chinese medicine prescription with powerful antiapoptosis and anti-inflammatory properties. In this study, a network pharmacology approach together with molecular docking validation was used to explore the probable mechanism of action of TSD against VaD. A total of 44 active components, 202 potential targets of components, and 3,613 VaD-related targets including 161 intersecting were obtained. The potential chemical components including kaempferol, baicalein, beta-carotene, luteolin, quercetin, and beta-sitosterol involved in the inflammatory response, oxidative stress, and apoptosis might have potential therapeutic effects on the treatment of VaD. The potential core targets including AKT1, CASP3, IL1β, JUN, and TP53 associated with cell apoptosis and inflammatory might account for the essential therapeutic effects of TSD in VaD. The results indicated that TSD protected against VaD through multicomponent and multitarget modes. Though the detailed mechanism of action of various active ingredients needs to be further illustrated, TSD still showed a promising therapeutic agent for VaD due to its biological activity.

Investigation on the mechanism of Shaoyao-Gancao Decoction in the treatment of gastric carcinoma based on network pharmacology and experimental verification

BACKGROUND

Shaoyao-Gancao Decoction (SG-D) is a famous classical Chinese prescription that has been used in the treatment of numerous kinds of diseases. However, its mechanism of action in the treatment of Gastric carcinoma (GC) is not clear.

METHODS

The active ingredients and targets of SG-D were screened using network pharmacology, and GC-related targets were retrieved through several databases. The protein-protein interaction network was then further constructed and GO and KEGG enrichment analysis were performed. Subsequently, molecular docking was carried out. Finally, we validated the results of the network pharmacology by performing in vitro cell experiments on CCK-8, apoptosis, cell cycle, platelet clone formation, and Western blotting with AGS cells.

RESULTS

Three key active ingredients and 8 core targets were screened through a network pharmacological analysis, and the results of the KEGG indicated that the PI3K/Akt and MAPK signaling pathways are critical signaling pathways for SG-D to treat GC. Experimental results revealed that SG-D was able to inhibit AGS cells proliferation, induce apoptosis and arrest the cell cycle, and reduce the ability of cell clone formation by regulating the PI3K/Akt and MAPK signaling pathways.

CONCLUSIONS

Network pharmacology has shown that SG-D can act on multiple targets through multiple ingredients and treat GC by regulating multiple signaling pathways. In vitro cell experiments have also confirmed this, so as to provide a reference for subsequent related research.

Identification of Molecular Targets and Underlying Mechanisms of Xiaoji Recipe against Pancreatic Cancer Based on Network Pharmacology

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is applied in the anticancer adjuvant therapy of various malignancies and pancreatic cancer included. Xiaoji recipe consists several TCM materials with anticancer activities. In our work, we intended to analyze the molecular targets as well as the underlying mechanisms of Xiaoji recipe against pancreatic cancer. A total of 32 active components and 522 potential targets of Xiaoji recipe were selected using the TCMSP and SwissTargetPrediction databases. The potential target gene prediction in pancreatic cancer was performed using OMIM, Disgenet, and Genecards databases, and totally, 998 target genes were obtained. The component-disease network was constructed using the Cytoscape software, and 116 shared targets of pancreatic cancer and Xiaoji recipe were screened out. As shown in the protein–protein interaction (PPI) network, the top 20 hub genes such as TP53, HRAS, AKT1, VEGFA, STAT3, EGFR, and SRC were further selected by degree. GO and KEGG functional enrichment analysis revealed that Xiaoji recipe may affect pancreatic cancer progression by targeting the PI3K/AKT and MAPK signaling pathways. Moreover, we performed in vitro assays to explore the effect of Xiaoji recipe on pancreatic cancer cells. The results revealed that Xiaoji recipe suppressed the viability and migration and promoted the apoptosis of pancreatic cancer cells via the inactivation of PI3K/AKT, MAPK, and STAT3 pathways. The findings of our study suggested the potential of Xiaoji recipe in the targeting therapy of pancreatic cancer.

A comparative study on the traditional versus modern yellow rice wine processing methods using Taohong Siwu Decoction for pharmaceutical production

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Taohong Siwu Decoction (THSWD) is based on the "First Recipe of Gynecology." It is widely used in various blood stasis and deficiency syndromes, mainly in gynecological blood stasis, irregular menstruation, and dysmenorrhea. THSWD has great demand in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), gynecology, orthopedics, and internal medicine. According to classical records, three medicinal materials, namely Rehmanniae radix, Angelica sinensis, and Carthamus tinctorius, used in THSWD need to be "washed with yellow rice wine." In the study of TCM prescriptions, the processing methods of medicinal materials not only needed to follow traditional records but also should consider modern technical conditions. Many medicinal materials in the repertoire of classical prescriptions involve yellow rice wine processing. Determining the processing method for medicinal materials is a key and difficult problem in the research and development of classical prescriptions.

AIM OF THE STUDY

With THSWD as the representative, this study analyzed differences between no processing method, the modern processing method of "stir-frying the materials with yellow rice wine," and the traditional processing method of "washing with yellow rice wine." We focused on three aspects: composition, efficacy, and endogenous metabolism. This study aimed to provide a reference for research on the processing methods of medicinal materials used in classical prescriptions.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

UPLC-Q-Orbitrap HRMS was used to quickly identify and classify the main chemical compounds of THSWD. A model of primary dysmenorrhea (PD) was established using estradiol benzoate combined with oxytocin. The latent period and writhing time; the levels of serum PGF2α, PGE2, ET-1, and β-EP; and the pathological sections of the uterus were observed to determine their pharmacodynamic differences. GC-TOF/MS was used to analyze the differences in serum metabolites in rats.

RESULTS

A total of 54 active compounds were identified, and the results showed that catalpol and rehmapicroside disappeared following yellow rice wine processing. Compared with materials processed by the traditional method, the relative contents of 15 components, such as 5-hydroxymethylfurfural and digitalis C, increased in materials processed by the modern method. However, the relative contents of 16 components, such as hydroxysafflor yellow A, verbascoside, and ferulic acid, decreased in the modern processing method. The modern and classic processing methods acted on PD through different metabolic pathways. THSWD obtained by classical processing methods mainly treated PD through anti-inflammatory and estrogen metabolism pathways, whereas THSWD obtained by modern processing methods mainly treated PD through anti-inflammatory metabolic pathways.

CONCLUSION

The study revealed the differences in different yellow rice wine processing methods in terms of chemical composition of the THSWD obtained, as well as the mechanisms of action for the treatment of PD. This study provides a reference for the clinical application of THSWD and development of classical prescription preparations.

Integrated Network Pharmacology and Experimental Verification to Explore the Molecular Mechanism of Hedysarum Multijugum Maxim-Curcumae Rhizoma Herb Pair for Treating Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Background

Hedysarum Multijugum Maxim–Curcumae Rhizoma (HMMCR), a well-known herb pair in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), has been widely used for the treatment of various cancers. However, the active components of HMMCR and the underlying mechanism of HMMCR for non-small-cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) remain unclear.

Methods

Active ingredients of HMMCR were detected by liquid chromatography electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS). On this basis, potential targets of HMMCR were obtained from SwissTargetPrediction database. NSCLC-related targets were collected from four public databases (GeneCards, OMIM, TTD, and PharmGkb). The drug ingredients–disease targets network was visualized. The hub targets between HMMCR and NSCLC were further analyzed by protein–protein interaction (PPI), Gene Ontology (GO), and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses. Subsequently, the results predicted by network pharmacology were further validated via in vitro experiments.

Results

A total of 181 compounds were identified from the aqueous extract of HMMCR. Through network analysis, a compound–target network including 153 active ingredients of HMMCR and 756 HMMCR-NSCLC co-targets was conducted; 6 crucial compounds and 62 hub targets were further identified. The results of KEGG enrichment analysis showed that PI3K/Akt signaling pathway may be the critical pathway of HMMCR in the treatment of NSCLC. The in vitro experiments indicated that HMMCR inhibits the proliferation and migration of NSCLC cells via inactivation of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, consistent with the results predicted by network pharmacology.

Conclusion

Integrating LC-ESI-MS/MS, network pharmacology approach, and in vitro experiments, this study shows that HMMCR has vital therapeutic effect on NSCLC through multi-compound, multi-target, and multi-pathway, which provides a rationale for using HMMCR for the treatment of NSCLC.