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Zhou F, Wang W, Xu R, Liu L, Lin T, He L, Tang L, Wang X, He Y. Unraveling the mechanism of Yiqi Jiedu formula against nasopharyngeal carcinoma: An investigation integrating network pharmacology, serum pharmacochemistry, and metabolomics. J Ethnopharmacol 2024; 319:117343. [PMID: 37879509 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2023.117343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Revised: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Yiqi Jiedu formula (YQJDF), rooted in the traditional Chinese medicinal principle of "tonifying qi and detoxifying", is remarkably efficacious in the clinical treatment of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Previous studies have shed light on some of its anti-NPC effects and mechanisms, but the responsible pharmacological substances and their precise mechanisms of action remain unclear. AIM OF THE STUDY The purpose of this study was to identify components of YQJDF that entered the bloodstream and to investigate their mechanisms of action against NPC through network pharmacology and serum metabolomics. MATERIAL AND METHODS Components of YQJDF in serum were identified using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. With these serum species as the focus of our research, network pharmacology analysis was used to identify active compounds and target genes that might mediate the efficacy of YQJDF in the treatment of NPC. Following establishment of an NPC xenograft model in nude mice, a non-targeted metabolomics approach was adopted to identify significant serum metabolites and metabolic pathways influenced by YQJDF. RESULTS Thirty-six components of YQJDF were identified, primarily consisting of alkaloids, phenylpropanoids, and flavonoids. Notably, pathways such as PI3K/AKT, factors associated with Epstein-Barr virus infection, IL-17 signaling, and lipid metabolism, were highlighted as potential therapeutic targets of YQJDF during NPC treatment. Additionally, our findings suggested that YQJDF modified the metabolism of arginine and proline in the serum of mice bearing nasopharyngeal tumor grafts. CONCLUSIONS This study identified the primary active components of YQJDF, highlighting its holistic role in the treatment of NPC through multiple targets and pathways. Furthermore, our findings provided a roadmap for future research into the mechanism of YQJDF in the therapy of NPC, setting the stage for its clinical application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fangliang Zhou
- Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, 410208, China; Hunan Provincial Engineering and Technological Research Center for Prevention and Treatment of Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology Diseases with Chinese Medicine and Protecting Visual Function, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, 410208, China
| | - Wen Wang
- Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, 410208, China
| | - Runshi Xu
- Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, 410208, China
| | - Liu Liu
- Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, 410208, China
| | - Ting Lin
- Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, 410208, China; Hunan Provincial Key Lab for the Prevention and Treatment of Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology Diseases with Traditional Chinese Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, 410208, China
| | - Lan He
- Hunan Provincial Engineering and Technological Research Center for Prevention and Treatment of Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology Diseases with Chinese Medicine and Protecting Visual Function, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, 410208, China; The First Affiliated Hospital, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, 410007, China
| | - Le Tang
- Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, 410208, China; Hunan Provincial Engineering and Technological Research Center for Prevention and Treatment of Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology Diseases with Chinese Medicine and Protecting Visual Function, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, 410208, China
| | - Xianwen Wang
- Hunan Provincial Engineering and Technological Research Center for Prevention and Treatment of Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology Diseases with Chinese Medicine and Protecting Visual Function, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, 410208, China; The First Affiliated Hospital, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, 410007, China.
| | - Yingchun He
- Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, 410208, China; Hunan Provincial Engineering and Technological Research Center for Prevention and Treatment of Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology Diseases with Chinese Medicine and Protecting Visual Function, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, 410208, China.
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