Network Pharmacological Analysis and Experimental Validation of the Effect of Smilacis Glabrae Rhixoma on Gastrointestinal Motility Disorder

Elucidating the role of lipid metabolism dysregulation in the transition from oral lichen planus to oral squamous cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Oral Lichen Planus (OLP) is a chronic inflammatory disorder that may progress to Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OSCC). Lipid metabolism dysregulation has been implicated in tumor development and immune response modulation. This study aims to explore the role of lipid metabolism, particularly the lipids diacylglycerol (DAG), triacylglycerol (TAG), and phosphatidylcholine (PC), in the progression from OLP to OSCC, and to identify potential therapeutic targets for prevention and treatment.

METHODS

We performed a Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis to investigate the causal relationships between lipid metabolism and the risk of OLP and OSCC. Differential gene expression analysis was conducted to identify key genes related to lipid metabolism. The interactions of lipid species and key genes were examined using drug databases (DrugBank, DGIdb, and TCMSP) to explore potential drug candidates. Enrichment analysis of signaling pathways, including PPAR signaling, was also conducted to understand the underlying mechanisms.

RESULTS

Our MR analysis revealed that DAG exerts a protective effect in OLP (OR < 1), but its role shifts to a risk factor in OSCC (OR > 1), potentially by altering the tumor immune microenvironment. TAG and PI dysregulation also plays a critical role in tumorigenesis. Gene expression analysis identified several key lipid metabolism-related genes, including SLC27A6, FABP3, FABP4, ADIPOQ, and PLIN1, whose expression differed between OLP and OSCC, highlighting their importance in tumor progression. These genes were enriched in the PPAR signaling pathway, suggesting its involvement in tumor growth and immune modulation. Potential drug candidates, such as palm acid (PA), Imatinib, and Curcumin, were identified through drug-repurposing strategies.

CONCLUSION

Lipid metabolism dysregulation plays a crucial role in the progression of OLP to OSCC. Targeting key lipid metabolism pathways and genes, such as DAG, TAG, PI, and the PPAR pathway, may offer promising strategies for early diagnosis and therapeutic intervention. This study provides novel insights into the molecular mechanisms of OLP-to-OSCC progression and suggests potential drug candidates, including natural compounds, for future clinical applications. Further research is needed to validate these findings in clinical settings.

CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER

Not applicable.

Analysis of Network Pharmacological Efficacy and Therapeutic Effectiveness in Animal Models for Functional Dyspepsia of Foeniculi fructus

For centuries, Foeniculi fructus (F. fructus) has been used as a traditional herbal medicine in China and Europe and is widely used as a natural therapy for digestive disorders, including indigestion, flatulence, and bloating. The mechanism of F. fructus that alleviates functional dyspepsia was analyzed through network pharmacology, and its therapeutic effect on an animal model of functional dyspepsia were investigated. The traditional Chinese medicine systems pharmacology (TCMSP) database was used to investigate the compounds, targets, and associated diseases of F. fructus. Information on the target genes was classified using the UniProtdatabase. Using the Cytoscape 3.9.1 software, a network was constructed, and the Cytoscape string application was employed to examine genes associated with functional dyspepsia. The efficacy of F. fructus on functional dyspepsia was confirmed by treatment with its extract in a mouse model of loperamide-induced functional dyspepsia. Seven compounds targeted twelve functional dyspepsia-associated genes. When compared to the control group, F. fructus exhibited significant suppression of symptoms in a mouse model of functional dyspepsia. The results of our animal studies indicated a close association between the mechanism of action of F. fructus and gastrointestinal motility. Based on animal experimental results, the results showed that F. fructus provided a potential means to treat functional dyspepsia, suggesting that its medical mechanism for functional dyspepsia could be described by the relationship between seven key compounds of F. fructus, including oleic acid, β-sitosterol, and 12 functional dyspepsia-related genes.