Exploring the Mechanism of Dangguiliuhuang Decoction Against Hepatic Fibrosis by Network Pharmacology and Experimental Validation

Therapeutic potential of Angelica sinensis in addressing organ fibrosis: A comprehensive review

Fibrosis-related diseases (FRD) include conditions like myocardial fibrosis, pulmonary fibrosis, hepatic fibrosis, renal fibrosis, and others. The impact of fibrosis can be severe, causing organ dysfunction, reduced functionality, and even organ failure, leading to significant health issues. Currently, there is a lack of effective modern anti-fibrosis drugs in clinical practice. However, Chinese medicine has a certain beneficial effect on the treatment of such diseases. Angelica sinensis, with its considerable medicinal value, has garnered attention for its anti-fibrosis properties in recent investigations. In the past few years, there has been a growing number of experimental inquiries into the impact of angelica polysaccharide (ASP), angelica water extract, angelica injection, and angelica compound preparation on fibrosis-associated ailments, piquing the interest of researchers. This paper aims to consolidate recent advances in the study of Angelica sinensis for the treatment of fibrosis-related disorders, offering insights for prospective investigations. Literature retrieval included core electronic databases, including Baidu Literature, CNKI, Google-Scholar, PubMed, and Web of Science. The applied search utilized specified keywords to extract relevant information on the pharmacological and phytochemical attributes of plants. The investigation revealed that Angelica sinensis has the potential to impede the advancement of fibrotic diseases by modulating inflammation, oxidative stress, immune responses, and metabolism. ASP, Angelica sinensis extract, Angelica sinensis injection, and Angelica sinensis compound preparation were extensively examined and discussed. These constituents demonstrated significant anti-fibrosis activity. In essence, this review seeks to gain a profound understanding of the role of Angelica sinensis in treating fiber-related diseases. Organ fibrosis manifests in nearly all tissues and organs, posing a critical challenge to global public health due to its widespread occurrence, challenging early diagnosis, and unfavorable prognosis. Despite its prevalence, therapeutic options are limited, and their efficacy is constrained. Over the past few years, numerous studies have explored the protective effects of traditional Chinese medicine on organ fibrosis, with Angelica sinensis standing out as a multifunctional natural remedy. This paper provides a review of organ fibrosis pathogenesis and summarizes the recent two decades' progress in treating fibrosis in various organs such as the liver, lung, kidney, and heart. The review highlights the modulation of relevant signaling pathways through multiple targets and channels by the effective components of Angelica sinensis, whether used as a single medicine or in compound prescriptions.

Network pharmacology and transcriptomics to determine Danggui Yifei Decoction mechanism of action for the treatment of chronic lung injury

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Several children with pneumonia (especially severe cases) have symptoms of cough and expectoration during the recovery stage after standard symptomatic treatment, which eventually results in chronic lung injury. Danggui yifei Decoction (DGYFD), a traditional Chinese formula, has shown clinical promise for the treatment of chronic lung injury during the recovery stage of pneumonia, however, its mechanism of action is yet to be deciphered.

AIM OF THIS STUDY

To investigate the therapeutic mechanism of DGYFD for the treatment of chronic lung injury by integrating network pharmacology and transcriptomics.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

BALB/c mice were used to establish the chronic lung injury mouse model by intratracheal instillation of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Pathological analysis of lung tissue, lung injury histological score, lung index, protein levels in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), immunohistochemical staining, blood rheology, inflammatory cytokines, and oxidative stress levels were used to evaluate the pharmacological effects of DGYFD. Chemical components of DGYFD were identified using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS). Integrated network pharmacology together with transcriptomics was used to predict potential biological targets. Western blot analysis was used to verify the results.

RESULTS

In this study, we demonstrated that DGYFD could improve lung injury pathological changes, decreases lung index, down-regulate NO and IL-6 levels, and regulate blood rheology. In addition, DGYFD was able to reduce the protein levels in BALF, up-regulate the expression levels of occludin and ZO-1, improve the ultrastructure of lung tissues, and reverse the imbalance of AT I and AT II cells to repair the alveolar-capillary permeability barrier. Twenty-nine active ingredients of DGYFD and 389 potential targets were identified by UPLC-MS/MS and network pharmacology, and 64 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified using transcriptomics. GO and KEGG analysis revealed that the MAPK pathway may be the molecular target. Further, we found that DGYFD inhibits phosphorylation levels of p38 MAPK and JNK in chronic lung injury mouse models.

CONCLUSIONS

DGYFD could regulate the imbalance between the excessive release of inflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress, repair the alveolar-capillary permeability barrier and improve the pathological changes during chronic lung injury by regulating the MAPK signaling pathway.

Inhibition of miR-96-5p alleviates intervertebral disc degeneration by regulating the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ/nuclear factor-kappaB pathway

BACKGROUND

Intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) is the main pathogenesis of low back pain. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been found to exert regulatory function in IDD. This study aimed to investigate the effect and potential mechanism of miR-96-5p in IDD.

METHODS

In vitro cell model of IDD was established by treating human nucleus pulposus cells (HNPCs) with interleukin-1β (IL-1β). The level of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) was examined in the IDD cell model by Western blot and quantification real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The expression level of miR-96-5p was detected by RT-qPCR. Effects of PPARγ or/and PPARγ agonist on inflammatory factors, extracellular matrix (ECM), apoptosis, and nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB) nuclear translocation were examined through enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), Western blot, flow cytometry assay, and immunofluorescence staining. The Starbase database and dual luciferase reporter assay were used to predict and validate the targeting relationship between miR-96-5p and PPARγ, and rescue assay was performed to gain insight into the role of miR-96-5p on IDD through PPARγ/NF-κB signaling.

RESULTS

PPARγ expression reduced with concentration and time under IL-1β stimulation, while miR-96-5p expression showed the reverse trend (P < 0.05). Upregulation or/and activation of PPARγ inhibited IL-1β-induced the increase in inflammatory factor levels, apoptosis, degradation of the ECM, and the nuclear translocation of NF-κB (P < 0.05). MiR-96-5p was highly expressed but PPARγ was lowly expressed in IDD, while knockdown of PPARγ partially reversed remission of IDD induced by miR-96-5p downregulation (P < 0.05). MiR-96-5p promoted NF-κB entry into the nucleus but PPARγ inhibited this process.

CONCLUSION

Inhibition of miR-96-5p suppressed IDD progression by regulating the PPARγ/NF-κB pathway. MiR-96-5p may be a promising target for IDD treatment clinically.

Mechanism of ShuiJingDan in Treating Acute Gouty Arthritis Flares Based on Network Pharmacology and Molecular Docking

Purpose

This study examined the underlying mechanisms of SJD's anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects on acute GA flares.

Methods

This study used pharmacology network and molecular docking methods. The active ingredients of ShuiJingDan (SJD) were obtained from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Analysis Platform (TCMSP), and the relevant targets of GA were obtained from the Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM) database and Therapeutic Target Database (TTD). The core drug group-target-disease Venn diagram was formed by crossing the active ingredients of SJD and the relevant targets. Gene Ontology (GO) analysis was conducted for functional annotation, DAVID was used for Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes, and Genomes pathway enrichment analysis, and R was used to find the core targets. The accuracy of SJD network pharmacology analysis in GA treatment was verified by molecular docking simulations. Finally, a rat GA model was used to further verify the anti-inflammatory mechanism of SJD in the treatment of GA.

Results

SJD mainly acted on target genes including IL1B, PTGS2, CXCL8, EGF, and JUN, as well as signal pathways including NF-κB, Toll-like receptor (TLR), IL-17, and MAPK. The rat experiments showed that SJD could significantly relieve ankle swelling, reduce the local skin temperature, and increased the paw withdrawal threshold. SJD could also reduce synovial inflammation, reduced the concentrations of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-8, and COX-2 in the synovial fluid, and suppressed the expression of IL1B, CXCL8, and PTGS2 mRNA in the synovial tissue.

Conclusion

SJD has a good anti-inflammatory effect to treat GA attacks, by acting on target genes such as IL-1β, PTGS2, and CXCL8.

Combining network pharmacology and in vitro and in vivo experiments to study the mechanism of Keluoxin in the treatment of radiation nephropathy†

Radiation nephropathy refers to kidney damage caused by radiation therapy for malignant tumours. Currently, the pathogenesis is unclear and there is a lack of effective treatment methods. With the development of traditional Chinese medicine, the role of traditional Chinese medicine in the protection of radiation nephropathy is receiving increasing attention. Therefore, in this study, we used X-ray intraperitoneal irradiation to construct a mouse model of radiation nephropathy and studied the protective effect of traditional Chinese medicine Keluoxin on radiation nephropathy. We first analysed the potential targets and pathways of Keluoxin in the treatment of radiation nephropathy using network pharmacology methods, combined with in vitro and in vivo experimental verification, to study its potential mechanism. By searching the database, 136 components of Keluoxin were identified. A total of 333 intersectional targets related to radiation nephropathy were obtained. Among them, key targets include IL-6, TNF-α, HIF-1α, STAT1, STAT3, JAK1, JAK2, etc. In in vivo and in vitro experiments, we found that as the irradiation dose increased and time prolonged, kidney damage in mice gradually worsened in a time-dependent and dose-dependent manner. As the irradiation dose increases, the expression of pro-inflammatory factors Il-6, TNF-α, TGF-β increased. Compared with the irradiation group, the intervention of Keluoxin can reduce kidney damage caused by X-ray irradiation and reduce the expression of IL-6, TNF-α, TGF-β, STAT1, STAT3, JAK1, JAK2, etc. These results indicated that Keluoxin can alleviate kidney damage caused by X-ray irradiation, possibly by regulating the JAK/STAT signalling pathway, reducing inflammation levels and oxidative stress damage.

Metabonomic analysis of the anti-hepatic fibrosis effect of Ganlong capsules

Context: Hepatic fibrosis is a progressive condition, often attributed to metabolic disorders, which may promote cirrhosis and liver cancer. Ganlong capsules derived from Periplaneta Americana have been shown to have a therapeutic effect on liver fibrosis but little is known about the molecular mechanisms involved. Objective: To investigate the metabolic modulations produced by Ganlong capsules in liver fibrosis. Methods: A carbon tetrachloride- (CCl₄) treated rat model of liver fibrosis was constructed and Ganlong capsules administered. Levels of serum liver enzymes and pathological changes to the liver were evaluated. Non-targeted metabolomics of liver, serum and urine were used to investigate metabolic regulatory mechanisms. Results: Ganlong capsules reduced serum levels of liver enzymes and improved pathological changes in the rat model of fibrosis. Non-targeted metabolomics showed that Ganlong capsules ameliorated pathways of glycerophospholipid, linoleic acid, pyrimidine, glycine, butyric acid, valine, serine, threonine and arachidonic acid metabolism and biosynthesis of leucine and isoleucine. Such pathways influence the development of CCl₄-induced liver fibrosis. Conclusion: Ganlong capsules had an anti-fibrotic hepatoprotective effect and regulated lipid, butyric acid, amino acid and arachidonic acid metabolism.

Baicalein inhibits macrophage lipid accumulation and inflammatory response by activating the PPARγ/LXRα pathway

Lipid accumulation and inflammatory response are two major risk factors for atherosclerosis. Baicalein, a phenolic flavonoid widely used in East Asian countries, possesses a potential atheroprotective activity. However, the underlying mechanisms remain elusive. This study was performed to explore the impact of baicalein on lipid accumulation and inflammatory response in THP-1 macrophage-derived foam cells. Our results showed that baicalein up-regulated the expression of ATP binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1), ABCG1, liver X receptor α (LXRα), and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ), promoted cholesterol efflux, and inhibited lipid accumulation. Administration of baicalein also reduced the expression and secretion of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6. Knockdown of LXRα or PPARγ with siRNAs abrogated the effects of baicalein on ABCA1 and ABCG1 expression, cholesterol efflux, lipid accumulation as well as pro-inflammatory cytokine release. In summary, these findings suggest that baicalein exerts a beneficial effect on macrophage lipid accumulation and inflammatory response by activating the PPARγ/LXRα signaling pathway.

Therapeutic Effects of Berberine on Liver Fibrosis are associated With Lipid Metabolism and Intestinal Flora

Liver cirrhosis is a form of liver fibrosis resulting from chronic hepatitis caused by various liver diseases, such as viral hepatitis, alcoholic liver damage, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, autoimmune liver disease, and by parasitic diseases such as schistosomiasis. Liver fibrosis is the common pathological base and precursors of cirrhosis. Inflammation and disorders of lipid metabolism are key drivers in liver fibrosis. Studies have determined that parts of the arachidonic acid pathway, such as its metabolic enzymes and biologically active products, are hallmarks of inflammation, and that aberrant peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ)-mediated regulation causes disorders of lipid metabolism. However, despite the ongoing research focus on delineating the mechanisms of liver fibrosis that underpin various chronic liver diseases, effective clinical treatments have yet to be developed. Berberine (BBR) is an isoquinoline alkaloid with multiple biological activities, such as anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-cancer, and anti-hyperlipidemic activities. Many studies have also found that BBR acts via multiple pathways to alleviate liver fibrosis. Furthermore, the absorption of BBR is increased by nitroreductase-containing intestinal flora, and is strengthened via crosstalk with bile acid metabolism. This improves the oral bioavailability of BBR, thereby enhancing its clinical utility. The production of butyrate by intestinal anaerobic bacteria is dramatically increased by BBR, thereby amplifying butyrate-mediated alleviation of liver fibrosis. In this review, we discuss the effects of BBR on liver fibrosis and lipid metabolism, particularly the metabolism of arachidonic acid, and highlight the potential mechanisms by which BBR relieves liver fibrosis through lipid metabolism related and intestinal flora related pathways. We hope that this review will provide insights on the BBR-based treatment of liver cirrhosis and related research in this area, and we encourage further studies that increase the ability of BBR to enhance liver health.

Application of multivariate statistical analysis and network pharmacology to explore the mechanism of Danggui Liuhuang Tang in treating perimenopausal syndrome

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Danggui Liuhuang Tang (DGLHT), first recorded in "Lan-Shi-Mi-Cang" (written in 1276 AD), is a famous classical formula. In 2018, it was listed in the Catalogue of Ancient Classic and Famous Prescriptions (First Batch) formulated by the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine and the National Medical Products Administration. Perimenopausal syndrome (PMS) refers to a series of syndromes with autonomic nervous system dysfunction and neuropsychological symptoms. The treatment of PMS demands non-hormonal drugs. Natural products are considered to be effective substitutes for the treatment of PMS. It is reported that DGLHT has not only good therapeutic effects but also higher safety and fewer side effects in the treatment of PMS. However, the mechanism of DGLHT in treating PMS is not clear.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To explore the chemical basis and the mechanism of DGLHT in treating PMS.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Multivariate statistical analysis was used to analyze the difference of components in supernatant before and after compatibility of DGLHT based on LC-MS data. The qualitative analysis was performed on the precipitate formed in the decocting process using LC-MS while the quantitative analysis on the potential markers using LC-UV. Then, the potential markers were analyzed by network pharmacology. The regulatory effect of DGLHT on FSH, P and E₂ were carried out in PMS rats.

RESULTS

Five potential markers, epiberberine, coptisine, palmatine, berberine and baicalin, were screened from the analysis of compounds in the supernatant. Four complexes, composed of potential marker monomers, were identified in the sediment, including two that have not been reported. The key targets of potential markers include TNF, NOS3, EGFR, ESR1, PTGS2, AR, CDC42 and RPS6KB1. The top signaling pathways include the cGMP-PKG signaling pathway, PI3K-Akt signaling pathway and estrogen signaling pathway. DGLHT could call back the hormone levels of P and E₂ in PMS rats.

CONCLUSION

DGLHT active ingredients, epiberberine, coptisine, palmatine, berberine and baicalin contribute a lot to the therapeutic effect. And DGLHT takes effect by regulating hormones secreted by the ovary.

Immunometabolism at the service of traditional Chinese medicine

To enhance therapeutic efficacy and reduce adverse effects, ancient practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) prescribe combinations of plant species/animal species and minerals designated "TCM formulae" developed based on TCM theory and clinical experience. TCM formulae have been shown to exert curative effects on complex diseases via immune regulation but the underlying mechanisms remain unknown at present. Considerable progress in the field of immunometabolism, referring to alterations in the intracellular metabolism of immune cells that regulate their function, has been made over the past decade. The core context of immunometabolism is regulation of the allocation of metabolic resources supporting host defense and survival, which provides a critical additional dimension and emerging insights into how the immune system and metabolism influence each other during disease progression. This review summarizes research findings on the significant association between the immune function and metabolic remodeling in health and disease as well as the therapeutic modulatory effects of TCM formulae on immunometabolism. Progressive elucidation of the immunometabolic mechanisms involved during the course of TCM treatment continues to aid in the identification of novel potential targets against pathogenicity. In this report, we have provided a comprehensive overview of the benefits of TCM based on regulation of immunometabolism that are potentially applicable for the treatment of modern diseases.

Modular pharmacology-based approach to identify hub genes and kernel pathways of taodan granules treated psoriasis

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Taodan granules (TDG) have been observed to decrease interleukins, or psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) score for psoriasis vulgaris, without significant adverse events. However, the regulatory network remains elucidated.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The objective is to identify critical genes and kernel pathways of TDG treated psoriasis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Firstly, construct a network of components-targets of TDG using network pharmacology. Secondly, the ClusterONE algorithm was used to build a modular network and identify critical genes and corresponding pathways. Thirdly, the critical genes and kernel pathways were verified in imiquimod (IMQ) induced psoriasis-like mice model.

RESULTS

The results validated that TDG downregulated the mRNA expression of MMP2 (degree = 5, P < 0.05), IL6 (degree = 9, P < 0.05), TNF (degree = 14, P < 0.05), CCL2 (degree = 8, P < 0.05), CXCL2 (degree = 8, P < 0.05), IL1B (degree = 9, P < 0.05), and JUN (degree = 9, P < 0.05), while upregulated IL10 (degree = 8) expression. Besides, TDG were observed to regulate IL17 signaling pathway and TNF signaling pathway (size = 18), via the skin tissue homogenate of psoriasis-like mice.

CONCLUSION

In summary, this study identified the potential targets and pathways, providing additional evidence for the clinical application of TDG treated psoriasis.

Network Pharmacology to Explore the Molecular Mechanisms of Prunella vulgaris for Treating Hashimoto's Thyroiditis

Purpose:Prunella vulgaris (PV), a traditional Chinese medicine, has been used to treat patients with thyroid disease for centuries in China. The purpose of the present study was to investigate its bioactive ingredients and mechanisms against Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT) using network pharmacology and molecular docking technology to provide some basis for experimental research.

Methods: Ingredients of the PV formula were retrieved from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology (TCMSP) database. Additionally, HT-related genes were retrieved from the UniProt and GeneCards databases. Cytoscape constructed networks for visualization. A protein–protein interaction (PPI) network analysis was constructed, and a PPI network was built using the Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes (STRING) database. These key targets of PV were enriched and analyzed by molecular docking verification, Gene Ontology (GO), and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment.

Results: The compound–target network included 11 compounds and 66 target genes. Key targets contained Jun proto-oncogene (JUN), hsp90aa1.1 (AKI), mitogen-activated protein kinase 1 (MAPK1), and tumor protein p53 (TP53). The main pathways included the AGE-RAGE signaling pathway, the TNF signaling pathway, the PI3K–Akt signaling pathway, and the mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway. The molecular docking results revealed that the main compound identified in the Prunella vulgaris was luteolin, followed by kaempferol, which had a strong affinity for HT.

Conclusion: Molecular docking studies indicated that luteolin and kaempferol were bioactive compounds of PV and might play an essential role in treating HT by regulating multiple signaling pathways.

Identifying Active Compounds and Mechanism of Camellia nitidissima Chi on Anti-Colon Cancer by Network Pharmacology and Experimental Validation

Camellia nitidissima Chi (CNC) is a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) with anticancer property. However, its underlying mechanisms of anti-colon cancer (CC) remain unknown. Therefore, a systematic approach is proposed in the present study to elucidate the anticancer mechanisms of CNC based on network pharmacology and experimental validation. Initially, the potential active ingredients of CNC were verified via the TCMSP database based on the oral bioavailability (OB) and drug-likeness (DL) terms. Hub targets of CNC were acquired from SwissTarget prediction and TCMSP databases, and target genes related to CC were gathered from GeneCards and OMIM databases. Cytoscape was used to establish the compound-target networks. Next, the hub target genes collected from the CNC and CC were parsed via GO and KEGG analysis. Results of GO and KEGG analysis reveal that quercetin and luteolin in CNC, VEGFA and AKT1 targets, and PI3K-Akt pathway were associated with the suppression of CC. Besides, the result of molecular docking unveils that VEGFA demonstrates the most powerful binding affinity among the binding outcomes. This finding was successfully validated using in vitro HCT116 cell model experiment. In conclusion, this study proved the usefulness of integrating network pharmacology with in vitro experiments in the elucidation of underlying molecular mechanisms of TCM.

Network Pharmacological Analysis and Experimental Validation of the Mechanisms of Action of Si-Ni-San Against Liver Fibrosis

Background: Si-Ni-San (SNS), a commonly used traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula, has potency against liver diseases, such as hepatitis and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). However, the therapeutic efficacy and pharmacological mechanisms of action of SNS against liver fibrosis remain largely unclear. Methods: A carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver fibrosis mouse model was adopted for the first time to investigate the beneficial effects of SNS on liver fibrosis. The potential mechanisms of action of SNS were explored using the network pharmacology-based strategy and validated with the aid of diverse assays. Results: SNS treatment reduced collagen and ECM deposition, downregulated fibrosis-related factor (hyaluronic acid and laminin) contents in serum, maintained the morphological structure of liver tissue, and improved liver function in the liver fibrosis model. Based on network pharmacology results, apoptosis, inflammation and angiogenesis, together with the associated pathways (including VEGF, TNF, caspase, PPAR-γ and NF-κB), were identified as the mechanisms underlying the effects of SNS on liver fibrosis. Further in vivo experiments validated the significant mitigatory effects of SNS on inflammatory infiltration and pro-inflammatory cytokine contents (IFNγ, IL-1β and TGF-β1) in liver tissues of mice with liver fibrosis. SNS suppressed pathologic neovascularization as well as levels of VEGFR1, VEGF and VEGFR2 in liver tissues. SNS treatment additionally inhibited hepatic parenchyma cell apoptosis in liver tissues of mice with liver fibrosis and regulated apoptin expression while protecting L02 cells against apoptosis induced by TNF-α and Act D in vitro. Activation of hepatic stellate cells was suppressed and the balance between MMP13 and TIMP1 maintained in vitro by SNS. These activities may be associated with SNS-induced NF-κB suppression and PPAR-γ activation. Conclusion: SNS effectively impedes liver fibrosis progression through alleviating inflammation, ECM accumulation, aberrant angiogenesis and apoptosis of hepatic parenchymal cells along with inhibiting activation of hepatic stellate cells through effects on multiple targets and may thus serve as a novel therapeutic regimen for this condition.

Buxuhuayu decoction accelerates angiogenesis by activating the PI3K-Akt-eNOS signalling pathway in a streptozotocin-induced diabetic ulcer rat model

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Buxuhuayu decoction (BXHYD) has been frequently used to treat patients with diabetic ulcers (DUs), without notable adverse reactions. However, the related molecular mechanism remains unelucidated.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study assessed the potential mechanism of BXHYD against DUs by using network pharmacology and animal experiments.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

First, high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used for quality control of BXHYD. Further, the hub compounds and targets were screened from the Active Compound-Targets (ACT) network and the protein and protein interaction (PPI) network. Enrichment analysis was performed using DAVID, and molecular docking technology was used to identify active compounds that may play a key role in pub targets. Finally, a DUs animal model was established and used to elucidate the effect of BXHYD on the PI3K/Akt/eNOS signalling pathway.

RESULTS

(1) Calycosin-7-glucoside, amygdalin, and tanshinone iiA were detected in the freeze-dried powder of BXHYD. (2) Twelve hub compounds and eight hub targets were screened using the ACT and PPI networks. Through molecular docking, it was found that the four hub targets (TP53, IL6, VEGFA, and AKT1) binds luteolin and quercetin more tightly. (3) BXHYD is most likely to promote angiogenesis and wound healing by activating the PI3K/Akt/eNOS signalling pathway.

CONCLUSIONS

This research revealed that BXHYD might activate the PI3K/Akt/eNOS signalling pathway to promote DUs healing. These findings support the clinical use of BXHYD and provide the foundation for its subsequent studies.

Anti-Myocardial Ischemia Reperfusion Injury Mechanism of Dried Ginger-Aconite Decoction Based on Network Pharmacology

Dried ginger-aconite decoction (DAD) is a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula that has been extensively used in the treatment of myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury (MI/RI). However, its specific mechanism against MI/RI has not been reported yet. Therefore, this paper studies the potential active components and mechanism of DAD against MI/RI based on network pharmacology and experimental verification. Sixteen active components of DAD were screened according to oral bioavailability and drug similarity indices. Through Cytoscape 3.7.0, a component-target network diagram was drawn, and potential active components of DAD against MI/RI were determined. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) and compound-target-pathway (C-T-P) networks were established through the software to discover the biological processes, core targets and core pathways of DAD against MI/RI. High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) analysis identified the presence of potentially active core components for network pharmacological prediction in DAD. It was found that DAD might have played a therapeutic role in anti-MI/RI by activating the PI3K/Akt/GSK-3β signaling pathway in order to reduce mitochondrial hypoxia injury and myocardial cell apoptosis. The network pharmacological prediction was validated by Hypoxia/reoxygenation(H/R) model in vitro and ligation model of the ligation of the left anterior descending branch in vivo. It was verified that DAD had activated PI3K/AKT/GSK-3β to reduce myocardial apoptosis and play a therapeutic function in MI/RI.

Exploring the mechanism of PingTang No.5 capsule on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease through network pharmacology and experimental validation

PingTang No.5 capsule (PT5), a modified Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) formula of Zexie Decoction, is used to treat patients with lipid metabolism disorders in our hospital. The present study was designed to investigate the mechanisms of PT5 in treating non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). PT5 information including ingredients, pharmacological properties, and potential targets was obtained from TCM databases. The candidate targets of PT5 were predicted by network pharmacological analysis, and the possible pathway and mechanism were obtained from DAVID database, followed by experimental validation in NAFLD mice model treated with PT5. Total 328 compounds were selected using the threshold oral bioactivity (OB) > 30% or drug-likeness (DL) > 0.1 of pharmacology characteristic, and 1033 candidate targets obtained to construct the network analysis. The 113 targets were selected from the intersection between candidate targets of PT5 and NAFLD relative gene. These targets were evaluated in diabetic complications, cancer, Hepatitis B, Fluid shear stress and atherosclerosis, and TNF signaling pathway. TNF-α was the important factor in protein interaction analysis of STRING and involved in the lipid regulation and oxidative stress in NAFLD. When administrated to the NAFLD mice, PT5 reduced weight, blood fatty acids, decreased the adipocyte size, and improved the metabolism. Besides, the molecular verification of lipid metabolism increased and oxidative stress reduced that interpreted the mechanism of PT5 preventing liver cell from lipid accumulation and injury of NAFLD. These results presented PT5 have the potential therapy as an alternative treatment for NAFLD.

Identification of Antitumor Active Constituents in Polygonatum sibiricum Flower by UPLC-Q-TOF-MSE and Network Pharmacology

We aimed to investigate the material basis and mechanisms underlying the antitumor activity of Polygonatum sibiricum flower by ultra-performance liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF-MS^E). A compound-protein interaction network for cancer was constructed to identify potential drug targets, and then the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis was conducted to elucidate the pathways involved in the antitumor activity of P. sibiricum flower. Subsequently, molecular docking was performed to determine whether the identified proteins are a target of the compounds of P. sibiricum flower. Sixty-four compounds were identified in P. sibiricum flower. Among these, 35 active constituents and 72 corresponding targets were found to be closely associated with the antitumor activity of P. sibiricum flower. By constructing and analyzing the compound-target-pathway network, five key compounds and 10 key targets were obtained. The five key compounds were wogonin, rhamnetin, dauriporphine, chrysosplenetin B, and 5-hydroxyl-7,8-panicolin. The 10 key targets were PIK3CG, AKT1, PTGS1, PTGS2, MAPK14, CCND1, TP53, GSK3B, NOS2, and SCN5A. In addition, 34 antitumor-related pathways were identified using the KEGG pathway analysis. To further verify the results of network pharmacology screening, molecular docking was performed with the five key compounds and the top three targets based on degree ranking, namely, PIK3CG, AKT1, and PTGS2; the results of molecular docking were consistent with those of network pharmacology. P. sibiricum flower can exert its antitumor activity via multicomponent, multitarget, and multichannel mechanisms of action. In this study, we identified the antitumor active constituents of P. sibiricum flower and their potential mechanisms of action.

Identifying the Mechanisms and Molecular Targets of Yizhiqingxin Formula on Alzheimer's Disease: Coupling Network Pharmacology with GEO Database

Background

Yizhiqingxin formula (YZQX) is a promising formula for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) with significant clinical effects. Here, we coupled a network pharmacology approach with the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database to illustrate comprehensive mechanisms and screen for molecular targets of YZQX for AD treatment.

Methods

First, active ingredients of YZQX were screened for the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology (TCMSP) database with the absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME) parameters. Subsequently, putative targets of active ingredients were predicted using the DrugBank database. AD-related targets were retrieved by analyzing published microarray data (accession number GSE5281). Protein–protein interaction (PPI) networks of YZQX putative targets and AD-related targets were constructed visually and merged to identify candidate targets for YZQX against AD using Cytoscape 3.7.2 software. We performed gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis to further clarify the biological functions of the candidate targets. The gene-pathway network was established to filter for key target genes.

Results

Forty-three active ingredients were identified, and 193 putative target genes were predicted. Seven hundred and ten targets related to AD were screened with |log2 FC| > 1 and P < 0.05. Based on the PPI network, 110 target genes of YZQX against AD were identified. Moreover, 32 related pathways including the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, MAPK signaling pathway, ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis, apoptosis and the NF-kappa B signaling pathway were significantly enriched. In the gene-pathway network, MAPK1, AKT1, TP53, MDM2, EGFR, RELA, SRC, GRB2, CUL1, and MYC targets are putative core genes for YZQX in AD treatment.

Conclusion

YZQX against AD may exert its neuroprotective effect via the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, MAPK signaling pathway, and ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis. YZQX may be a promising drug that can be used in the treatment of AD.

Investigation of the mechanism of action of Porana sinensis Hemsl. against gout arthritis using network pharmacology and experimental validation

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Porana sinensis Hemsl. has been widely used to treat joint pain and rheumatoid arthritis in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Although evidence exists to support a pharmacological action of P. sinensis for the treatment of gout arthritis (GA), the underlying mechanism of action remains unknown due to it being a multi-component and multi-target agent.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To clarify the active compounds and mechanism of P. sinensis against GA.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The present study combined network pharmacology with experiments to clarify the mechanism of P. sinensis against GA. A protein-protein interaction network for gout was constructed to identify the potential drug targets, and molecular docking was subsequently performed to determine whether the protein was a target for the compounds of P. sinensis. KEGG pathway analysis was then conducted to elucidate the pathway involved in the P. sinensis-mediated treatment of gout. A rat model of GA was used to further investigate the mechanism of P. sinensis against GA.

RESULTS

The network pharmacology study indicates that coumarins and chlorogenic acids of P. sinensis may serve as additives to GA treatment. P. sinensis played a role in the treatment of GA by regulating the PI3K-Akt, MAPK, NF-kappa B and toll-like receptor pathways and so on. Moreover, experimental validation suggests that P. sinensis extract significantly suppressed the expression of TLR2 and MyD88 mRNA, regulating the release of cytokines (IL-1β, IL-4 and TGF-β), lowering lipid peroxidation (MDA) and increasing antioxidant status (SOD).

CONCLUSION

The present study clarifies the mechanism of P. sinensis against GA, and provides evidence to support its clinical use.

Deciphering the Pharmacological Mechanisms of Taohe-Chengqi Decoction Extract Against Renal Fibrosis Through Integrating Network Pharmacology and Experimental Validation In Vitro and In Vivo

Taohe-Chengqi decoction (THCQ), a classical traditional Chinese medicinal (TCM) formula, has been extensively used for treating chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, the biological activity and mechanisms of action of its constituents against renal fibrosis have not yet been investigated thoroughly. This study was aimed at devising an integrated strategy for investigating the bioactivity constituents and possible pharmacological mechanisms of the n-butanol extract of THCQ (NE-THCQ) against renal fibrosis. The n-butanol extract of THCQ was prepared by the solvent extraction method. The components of NE-THCQ were analyzed using UPLC-Q/TOF-MS/MS techniques and applied for screening the active components of NE-THCQ according to their oral bioavailability and drug-likeness index. Then, we speculated the potential molecular mechanisms of NE-THCQ against renal fibrosis through pharmacological network analysis. Based on data mining techniques and topological parameters, gene ontology, and pathway enrichment, we established compound-target (C-T), protein-protein interaction (PPI) and compound-target-pathway (C-T-P) networks by Cytoscape to identify the hub targets and pathways. Finally, the potential molecular mechanisms of NE-THCQ against renal fibrosis, as predicted by the network pharmacology analyses, were validated experimentally in renal tubular epithelial cells (HK-2) in vitro and against unilateral ureteral obstruction models in the rat in vivo. We identified 26 components in NE-THCQ and screened seven bioactive ingredients. A total of 118 consensus potential targets associated with renal fibrosis were identified by the network pharmacology approach. The experimental validation results demonstrated that NE-THCQ might inhibit the inflammatory processes, reduce ECM deposition and reverse EMT via PI3K/AKT/mTOR and HIF-1α/VEGF signaling pathways to exert its effect against renal fibrosis. This study identified the potential ingredients of the NE-THCQ by UPLC-Q/TOF-MS/MS and explained the possible mechanisms of NE-THCQ against renal fibrosis by integrating network pharmacology and experimental validation.

The Impacts of Herbal Medicines and Natural Products on Regulating the Hepatic Lipid Metabolism

The dysregulation of hepatic lipid metabolism is one of the hallmarks in many liver diseases including alcoholic liver diseases (ALD) and non-alcoholic fatty liver diseases (NAFLD). Hepatic inflammation, lipoperoxidative stress as well as the imbalance between lipid availability and lipid disposal, are direct causes of liver steatosis. The application of herbal medicines with anti-oxidative stress and lipid-balancing properties has been extensively attempted as pharmaceutical intervention for liver disorders in experimental and clinical studies. Although the molecular mechanisms underlying their hepatoprotective effects warrant further exploration, increasing evidence demonstrated that many herbal medicines are involved in regulating lipid accumulation processes including hepatic lipolytic and lipogenic pathways, such as mitochondrial and peroxisomal β-oxidation, the secretion of very low density lipoprotein (VLDL), the non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA) uptake, and some vital hepatic lipogenic enzymes. Therefore, in this review, the pathways or crucial mediators participated in the dysregulation of hepatic lipid metabolism are systematically summarized, followed by the current evidences and advances in the positive impacts of herbal medicines and natural products on the lipid metabolism pathways are detailed. Furthermore, several herbal formulas, herbs or herbal derivatives, such as Erchen Dection, Danshen, resveratrol, and berberine, which have been extensively studied for their promising potential in mediating lipid metabolism, are particularly highlighted in this review.

Baicalin and its aglycone: a novel approach for treatment of metabolic disorders

BACKGROUND

The current strategies for prevention and treatment of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes are not fully effective and frequently accompanied by many negative effects. Therefore, novel ways to prevent insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes are urgently needed. The roots of Scutellaria radix are commonly used in traditional Chinese medicines for prevention and treatment of type 2 diabetes, atherosclerosis, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, dysentery, and other respiratory disorders. Baicalin and baicalein are the major and active ingredient extracts from Scutellaria baicalensis.

METHODS

A comprehensive and systematic review of literature on baicalin and baicalein was carried out.

RESULTS

Emerging evidence indicated that baicalin and baicalein possessed hepatoprotective, anti-oxidative, anti-dyslipidemic, anti-lipogenic, anti-obese, anti-inflammatory, and anti-diabetic effects, being effective for treating obesity, insulin resistance, non-alcoholic fatty liver, and dyslipidemia. Besides, baicalin and baicalein are almost non-toxic to epithelial, peripheral, and myeloid cells.

CONCLUSION

The purpose of this study is to focus on the therapeutic applications and accompanying molecular mechanisms of baicalin and baicalein against hyperglycemia, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, hyperlipidemia, obesity, and non-alcoholic fatty liver, and trying to establish a novel anti-obese and anti-diabetic strategy.

Exploring the protective effect of ShengMai-Yin and Ganmaidazao decoction combination against type 2 diabetes mellitus with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease by network pharmacology and validation in KKAy mice

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

ShengMai-Yin and Ganmaidazao decoction are classic formulas in traditional Chinese medicine. Individually, Shengmai-Yin is used to treat cardiovascular diseases, and Ganmaidazao decoction for therapy of mental disorders. The combination of Shengmai-Yin and Ganmaidazao decoction (SGD) is normally used as adjuvant therapy for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

AIM OF THE STUDY

The central aim is to elucidate the pharmacological efficacy of SGD and its mechanism in the treatment of T2DM with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Active ingredients in SGD and their drug targets were identified using network analysis followed by experimental validation. First, existing databases were mined for information relevant to SGD, including pharmacological actions, chemical components, physicochemical characteristics, potential targets, and implicated diseases. Candidate patterns obtained with the network analysis were then tested in a KKAy mouse model of T2DM with NAFLD. Various doses of SGD were administered, followed by measurements of fasting blood glucose, oral glucose tolerance tests, insulin tolerance tests, markers of lipid metabolism - including free fatty acids (FFA), triglycerides (TG), and total cholesterol (TC) - liver histology, and expression levels of implicated molecules including PI3K/AKT and PPARα.

RESULTS

Over 300 potential active compounds with their physicochemical characteristics and 562 candidate targets were collected, and then the network of them was constructed. Follow-up pathway and functional enrichment analyses indicated that SGD influences metabolism-related signaling pathways including PI3K-Akt, AMPK, and PPAR. In validation experiments, treatment of KKAy mice with SGD reduced serum levels of glucose, TC, TG, and FFA, decreased numbers of crown-like structures in visceral adipose tissue, reduced adipocyte size, and lowered liver lipid deposits. Further, SGD improved liver metabolism by increasing the expressions of PPARα, HSL, and PI3K/Akt, and decreasing expressions of SREBP-1 and FASN, inhibiting lipid biosynthesis, and increasing insulin sensitivity.

CONCLUSION

Experimental validation of network analysis revealed anti-diabetic effects of the plant product SGD, manifested most notably by improved serum profiles and diminished insulin resistance. These experimental results may have clinical implications.

Reconstruction and analysis of competitive endogenous RNA network reveals regulatory role of long non‑coding RNAs in hepatic fibrosis

Hepatic fibrosis (HF), one of the leading global health problems, is defined as aberrant and excess production of extracellular matrix components. The pathogenesis of HF is complex and poorly understood. Long non‑coding RNAs (LncRNAs) can interact with microRNAs (miRNAs) as competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs) to regulate the expression of target genes, which play a significant role in the initiation and progression of HF. In the present study, the LncRNA‑associated ceRNA network was reconstructed based on LncRNA, miRNA and mRNA expression profiles that were downloaded from National Center for Biotechnology Information Gene Expression Omnibus. Bioinformatics assessments including Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analyses were performed with Database for Annotation, Visualization and Integration Discovery. The ceRNA network was composed of 220 LncRNA nodes, 24 miRNA nodes, 164 mRNA nodes and 1,149 edges. Functional assays identified that a total of 338 GO terms and 25 pathways, including regulation of cytokine and collagen, and the transforming growth factor‑β and Toll‑like receptor signaling pathways, were significantly enriched. In addition, 4 LncRNAs (NONMMUT036242, XR_877072, XR_378619 and XR_378418) were highly related to HF and thereby chosen as key LncRNAs. The present study uncovered a ceRNA network that could further the understanding of the mechanisms underlying HF development and provide potential novel markers for clinical diagnosis and targets for treatment.

Top-100 Most Cited Publications Concerning Network Pharmacology: A Bibliometric Analysis

Background

Network pharmacology (NP) has become an increasingly important focus in the drug research field over the past decade. However, no study to date has mapped the current status of NP. Therefore, we performed a bibliometric study to evaluate the top 100 cited papers on NP.

Methods

We searched the Web of Science Core Collection from its inception to February 25, 2019, using the terms “network pharmacology” and “systems pharmacology.” Key data, including title, publication year, number of citations, authors, countries/regions, organizations, and journals, were retrieved and analyzed using Excel 2016 and VOSviewer 1.6.10.

Results

The total number of citations for the 100 cited papers ranged from 21 to 1,238, published in 53 journals, from 2005 to 2017. The top three journals with the most publications on NP were Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics (n = 8, IF2017 = 6.544), Journal of Ethnopharmacology (n = 8, IF2017 = 3.115), and PLoS One (n = 7, IF2017 = 2.766). Most published articles were from the USA (n = 41) and China (n = 35). The most active author was Wang Yonghua from the Northwest A&F University, and of the 100 publications, 14 listing his name. The most frequently used substantive terms included “drug discovery,” “traditional Chinese medicine (TCM),” “in-vitro,” “cancer,” and “cardiovascular disease.” Conclusions. The USA and China made the greatest contribution to NP research. The current NP research mainly focused on NP methods (including experimental validation) and using them to explore the molecular mechanisms of TCM for some critical diseases such as cardiovascular diseases and cancers. Furthermore, we believe some guidelines should be developed to regulate NP studies.

A Combined Phytochemistry and Network Pharmacology Approach to Reveal the Potential Antitumor Effective Substances and Mechanism of Phellinus igniarius

Phellinus igniarius (P. igniarius) is a medicinal fungus that is widely used in East Asia for the adjuvant treatment of cancer. To elucidate the antitumor effective substances and mechanism of P. igniarius, we designed an approach incorporating cytotoxicity screening, phytochemical analysis, network pharmacology construction, and cellular and molecular experiments. The dichloromethane extract of P. igniarius (DCMPI) was identified as the active portion in HT-29 cells. Nineteen constituents were identified, and 5 were quantified by UPLC-ESI-Q/TOF-MS. Eight ingredients were obtained in the network pharmacology study. In total, 473 putative targets associated with DCMPI and 350 putative targets related to colon cancer were derived from online databases and target prediction tools. Protein-protein interaction networks of drug and disease putative targets were constructed, and 84 candidate targets were identified based on topological features. Pathway enrichment analysis showed that the candidate targets were mostly related to reactive oxygen species (ROS) metabolic processes and intrinsic apoptotic pathways. Then, a cellular experiment was used to validate the drug-target mechanisms predicted by the system pharmacology analysis. Experimental results showed that DCMPI increased intracellular ROS levels and induced HT-29 cell apoptosis. Molecular biology experiments indicated that DCMPI not only increased Bax and Bad protein expression and promoted PARP and caspase-3/9 cleavage but also down-regulated Bcl-2 and Bcl-xl protein levels to induce apoptosis in HT-29 cells. In conclusion, our study provides knowledge on the chemical composition and antitumor mechanism of P. igniarius, which may be exploited as a promising therapeutic option for colon cancer.

SVIP alleviates CCl4-induced liver fibrosis via activating autophagy and protecting hepatocytes

Prolonged parenchymal cell death leads to activation of fibrogenic cells and extracellular matrix accumulation and eventually liver fibrosis. Autophagy, a major catabolic process of intracellular degradation and recycling, participates in hepatic fibrosis. However, the precise role of autophagy in the pathogenesis of hepatic fibrosis is controversial. The present study aims to investigate the key role of small VCP/p97 interacting protein (SVIP) against CCl₄-induced hepatic fibrosis via activating autophagy. Autophagy could be activated by SVIP in HepG2 cells, but starvation cannot increase SVIP expression in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, SVIP expression, in agreement with autophagic activity and the volume of lipid droplets, first increases and then decreases during the progression of liver fibrosis with CCl₄ treatment in vivo and in vivo. Further, overexpression of SVIP can protect HepG2 cells from the toxicity of CCl₄, which could be enhanced by starvation. Finally, starvation keeps SVIP and autophagy at such high levels in the rat livers that markedly delays the progress of hepatic fibrosis. Probably, the protective effect of SVIP is associated with stabilizing nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and transcription factor EB (TFEB). The current study provides insight into the biological role of SVIP and autophagy in regulating hepatic fibrosis, targeting SVIP might be a novel therapeutic strategy in the future.

A Network Pharmacology-Based Analysis of Multi-Target, Multi-Pathway, Multi-Compound Treatment for Ovarian Serous Cystadenocarcinoma

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Pharmacological control against ovarian serous cystadenocarcinoma has received increasing attention. The purpose of this study was to investigate multi-drug treatments as synergetic therapy for ovarian serous cystadenocarcinoma and to explore their mechanisms of action by the network pharmacology method.

METHODS

Genes acting on ovarian serous cystadenocarcinoma were first collected from GEPIA and DisGeNET. Gene Ontology annotation, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway, Reactome pathway, and Disease Ontology analyses were then conducted. A connectivity map analysis was employed to identify compounds as treatment options for ovarian serous cystadenocarcinoma. Targets of these compounds were obtained from the Search Tool for Interacting Chemicals (STITCH). The intersections between the ovarian serous cystadenocarcinoma-related genes and the compound targets were identified. Finally, the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes and Reactome pathways in which the overlapped genes participated were selected, and a correspondence compound-target pathway network was constructed.

RESULTS

A total of 541 ovarian serous cystadenocarcinoma-related genes were identified. The functional enrichment and pathway analyses indicated that these genes were associated with critical tumor-related pathways. Based on the connectivity map analysis, five compounds (resveratrol, MG-132, puromycin, 15-delta prostaglandin J2, and valproic acid) were determined as treatment agents for ovarian serous cystadenocarcinoma. Next, 48 targets of the five compounds were collected. Following mapping of the 48 targets to the 541 ovarian serous cystadenocarcinoma-related genes, we identified six targets (PTGS1, FOS, HMOX1, CASP9, PPARG, and ABCB1) as therapeutic targets for ovarian serous cystadenocarcinoma by the five compounds. By analysis of the compound-target pathway network, we found the synergistic anti-ovarian serous cystadenocarcinoma potential and the underlying mechanisms of action of the five compounds.

CONCLUSION

In summary, latent drugs against ovarian serous cystadenocarcinoma were acquired and their target actions and pathways were determined by the network pharmacology strategy, which provides a new prospect for medicamentous therapy for ovarian serous cystadenocarcinoma. However, further in-depth studies are indispensable to increase the validity of this study.