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Xuebijing Exerts Protective Effects on Myocardial Cells by Upregulating TRIM16 and Inhibiting Oxidative Stress and Apoptosis
Authors: Xiaoyan Meng, Xinming Yan, Peng Xue and Zhaoqing XiAvailable online: 02 December 2024More LessObjectiveThis study utilized transcriptomic sequencing combined with cellular and animal models to explore the potential mechanisms of Xuebijing in treating sepsis-induced myocardial dysfunction also known as sepsis-induced myocardial injury.
MethodsWe investigated potential targets and regulatory mechanisms of XBJ injection using network pharmacology and RNA sequencing. The effects of XBJ on oxidative stress and apoptosis levels in human cardiac myocytes (AC16) and C57BL/6 mice exposed to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) were evaluated by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) fluorescent probe Fluorescent Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR) Western Blot Transmission Electron Microscopy oxidative stress-related indicators detection kit flow cytometry and Immunohistochemistry (IHC).
ResultsFirst it was verified that XBJ can reduce the deformation of AC16 cardiomyocytes induced by LPS and the production and secretion of ROS (P <0.01). The transcriptome sequencing results showed that the TRIM16 gene was significantly increased after XBJ treatment and the data of KEGG and GO analyses demonstrated that XBJ could inhibit the pathway expression of oxidative stress damage in AC16 cells and PCR verified that XBJ could indeed increase the expression level of TRIM16 gene in AC16 cells (P <0.01). Basic animal and cell experiments showed that LPS could inhibit the expression of TRIM16 and NRF2 in cardiomyocytes (P <0.05) and promote the expression of Keap1 (P <0.01) while XBJ could significantly up-regulate the expression levels of TRIM16 and NRF2 (P <0.01) and inhibit the expression of Keap1 (P <0.01) thereby affecting the expression levels of downstream proinflammatory cytokines and alleviating LPS-induced oxidative stress damage. In addition XBJ also inhibited the expression of the pro-apoptotic proteins Bax and c-caspase3 (P <0.01) promoted the expression of the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl2 (P <0.01) and reduced LPS-induced apoptosis by upregulating TRIM16.
ConclusionOur comprehensive data demonstrated that TRIM16 is a key gene in the therapeutic action of Xuebijing in sepsis-induced myocardial dysfunction protecting myocardial cells from injury through antioxidative stress and anti-apoptotic mechanisms.
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Mechanisms Underlying the Attenuating Effects of Bugantang on Liver Fibrosis Based on Network Pharmacology, Molecular Docking, and Molecular Dynamics Simulation
Authors: Taojing Zhang, Jia Chang, Zengle Zheng, Guobi Chen, Yiping Wu, Jinxiang Xiang and Jing ChenAvailable online: 02 December 2024More LessBackgroundLiver fibrosis, a chronic liver disease, threatens people's health, increases the burden of healthcare, and currently lacks effective treatment measures. Bugantang (BGT) is a traditional Chinese herbal prescription from Jin Kui Yi with promising potential for treating liver fibrosis. Despite this potential, the efficacy and mechanism for treating liver fibrosis remain unclear.
ObjectiveTo primarily prove the efficacy, predict the active components of BGT, and explore the mechanism of BGT on liver fibrosis.
MethodsThe liver condition of CCL4-induced mice was examined using hematoxylin and eosin staining. The targets and active compounds of BGT were sourced from HERB and TCMSP databases, while the targets related to liver fibrosis were acquired from DisGeNET, Gene Expression Omnibus, and GeneCards databases. The core targets were identified, and the network of protein-protein interactions was established. KEGG and GO analyses were performed on DAVID. Molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations assessed the active components’ interactions with potential targets.
ResultsA total of 215 targets and 152 active compounds were identified for BGT. The network analysis identified kaempferol, quercetin, 2-(2,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-7-hydroxy-4H-chromen-4-one, sitosterol, naringenin, adenosine, plo, and beta-sitosterol as potential key compounds, and AKT1, MMP9, SRC, TNF, ESR1, NF-κB, and PPARG as potential key targets. KEGG and GO analyses revealed that the therapeutic effect of BGT on liver fibrosis may be associated with the PI3K-AKT and MAPK signaling pathways, as well as cell apoptosis, protein phosphorylation, and inflammation. Molecular docking demonstrated high-affinity binding of the identified targets to the active compounds. Additionally, molecular dynamics simulation further confirmed that the bindings of AKT1-beta-sitosterol and MMP9-quercetin exhibited good stability.
ConclusionsThe potential of BGT in alleviating liver fibrosis may be attributed to a combination of various active compounds, targets, and pathways. These results could support the use of BGT in treating liver fibrosis and facilitate the development of new drug candidates for this condition.
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Network Pharmacology and In Vivo Experimental Verification of the Mechanism of the Qing'e Pill for Treating Intervertebral Disc Degeneration
Authors: Hui Jin, Huaiyu Ma, Jie Wu, Ruizhe Wu, Haoran Xu, Weixing Chen, Linghui Li, Jingqi Zeng and Fan WangAvailable online: 02 December 2024More LessObjectiveThe Qing’e Pill (QEP) is widely used to alleviate low back pain and sciatica caused by Intervertebral Disc Degeneration (IDD). However, its active components, key targets, and molecular mechanisms are not fully understood. The aim of this study is to elucidate the molecular mechanisms through which the QEP improves IDD using database mining techniques.
MethodsActive components and candidate targets of the QEP were identified using the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform and the Bioinformatics Analysis Tool for Molecular Mechanisms of Traditional Chinese Medicine. IDD-related targets were obtained from the GeneCards database, and liver- and kidney-specific genes were retrieved from the BioGPS database. The intersection of these candidate targets was analyzed to identify potential targets for the QEP in IDD. A protein-protein interaction network analysis was performed using STRING and Cytoscape 3.7.2 software. Core targets were further analyzed through Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses. Molecular docking was used to assess the binding affinity of active components to candidate targets, and animal experiments were conducted for validation.
ResultsWe identified 65 potentially active components of the QEP that corresponded to 1,093 candidate targets, 2,108 IDD-related targets, and 1,113 liver- and kidney-specific genes. Key components included quercetin, berberine, isorhamnetin, and emodin. The primary candidate targets were Wnt5A, CTNNB1, IL-1β, MAPK14, MMP9, and MMP3. The GO and KEGG analyses revealed the involvement of these targets in Wnt signaling, TNF signaling, Wnt receptor activation, Frizzled binding, and Wnt-protein interactions. Molecular docking showed strong binding between these components and their targets. Animal experiments demonstrated that the QEP treatment significantly reduced the expression of Wnt5A, CTNNB1, IL-1β, MAPK14, MMP9, and MMP3 at high, medium, and low doses compared with the model group.
ConclusionThe QEP alleviated IDD by modulating the Wnt/MAPK/MMP signaling pathways and reducing the release and activation of key factors.
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Study on the Mechanism of Alpinia officinarum Hance in the Improvement of Insulin Resistance through Network Pharmacology, Molecular Docking and in vitro Experimental Verification
Authors: Mingyan Zhou, Xiuxia Lian, Xuguang Zhang, Jian Xu and Junqing ZhangAvailable online: 01 November 2024More LessBackgroundResearch has elucidated that the pathophysiological underpinnings of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus are intrinsically linked to insulin resistance (IR). However, there are currently no pharmacotherapies specifically approved for combating IR. Although Alpinia officinarum Hance (A. officinarum) can ameliorate diabetes, the detailed molecular mechanism through which it influences IR has not been fully clarified.
AimsTo predict the active components of A. officinarum and determine the mechanism by which A. officinarum affects IR.
MethodsThe active compounds and molecular mechanism underlying the improvement of IR by A. officinarum were predicted via network pharmacology and molecular docking. To further substantiate these predictions, an in vitro model of IR was induced in HepG2 cells using high glucose concentrations. Cytotoxicity and oxidative stress levels were evaluated using Cell Counting Kit-8, reactive oxygen species (ROS), malondialdehyde (MDA), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) assay kits. The putative molecular mechanisms were corroborated through Western blot and RT-PCR analyses.
ResultsFourteen principal active components in A. officinarum, 133 potential anti-IR gene targets, and the top five targets with degree values were ALB, AKT1, TNF, IL6, and VEGFA. A. officinarum was posited to exert its pharmacological effects on IR through mechanisms involving lipid and atherosclerosis, the AGE-RAGE signaling pathway in diabetic complications, the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway, fluid shear stress, and atherosclerosis. Intriguingly, network pharmacology analysis highlighted (4E)-7-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-1-phenylhept-4-en-3-one (A14) as the most active compound. Molecular docking studies further confirmed that A14 has a strong binding affinity for the main targets of PI3K, AKT, and Nrf2. The experiments demonstrated that A14 significantly diminished the ROS and MDA levels while augmenting the SOD activity. Moreover, A14 was found to elevate the protein expression of PI3K, AKT, Nrf2, and HO-1, and increase the mRNA levels of these targets as well as NQO1.
ConclusionA. officinarum could play a therapeutic role in IR through multiple components, targets, and pathways. The most active component of A. officinarum responsible for combating IR is A14, which has the ability to regulate oxidative stress in IR-HepG2 cells by activating the PI3K/AKT/Nrf2 pathway. These findings suggest a potential pharmacological intervention strategy for the treatment of IR.
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Synthesis, Biological Evaluation, Molecular Docking Studies and ADMET Prediction of Oxindole-Based Hybrids for the Treatment of Tuberculosis
Available online: 31 October 2024More LessIntroductionWith a projected mortality toll of 1.4 million in 2019, tuberculosis (TB) continues to be a significant public health concern around the world. Studies of novel treatments are required due to decreased bioavailability, increased toxicity, increased side effects, and resistance of several first- and second-line TB therapies, including isoniazid and ethionamide.
MethodsThis study reports the synthesis of oxindole-based hybrids as potent InhA inhibitors targeting Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The synthesized compounds (5a-5e and 8a-8c) were evaluated for their anti-mycobacterial activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis and nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTMs), viz. M. abscessus (ATCC 19977), M. fortuitum (ATCC 6841), and M. chelonae (ATCC 35752) using the Microplate Alamar Blue Assay (MABA). Molecular docking studies were performed using AutoDock Vina to explore the binding interactions of these compounds with the InhA enzyme (PDB: 2NSD). Additionally, biochemical and histopathological studies were conducted to assess the hepatotoxicity of the lead compounds. Insilico molecular properties and ADMET properties of the synthesized compounds were predicted using SwissADME and Deep-PK online tools to assess their drug-likeness.
ResultsAmong the tested compounds, 8b exhibited significant anti-mycobacterial activity with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC = 1 μg/mL) comparable to the reference drug ethambutol. Further, the compound demonstrated a binding affinity and orientation similar to the reference inhibitor 4PI, indicating its potential as a potent InhA inhibitor, and was found to be stabilized within the binding pocket of InhA through H-bonding, hydrophobic and van der Waal’s interactions. Besides, the compounds hepatotoxicity assessment studies depicted that 8b showed no significant liver dysfunction or damage to liver tissues. Additionally, 8b adhered to Lipinski’s rule of five and Veber’s rule, displaying favourable pharmacokinetic and drug-like properties, including high human intestinal absorption, distribution, and acceptable metabolic stability and excretion.
ConclusionCompound 8b emerged as a promising candidate for further optimization and development as a therapeutic agent for tuberculosis, offering a new avenue for tackling tuberculosis.
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Identifying Novel Inhibitors for Dengue NS2B-NS3 Protease by Combining Topological similarity, Molecular Dynamics, MMGBSA and SiteMap Analysis
Available online: 29 October 2024More LessIntroductionDENV NS2B-NS3 protease inhibitors were designed based upon the reference molecule, 4-(1,3-dioxoisoindolin-2-yl)-N-(4-ethylphenyl) benzenesulfonamide, reported by our team with the aim to optimize lead compound via rational approach. Top five best scoring molecules with zinc ids ZINC23504872, ZINC48412318, ZINC00413269, ZINC13998032 and ZINC75249613 bearing ‘pyrimidin-4(3H)-one’ basic scaffold have been identified as a promising candidate against DENV protease enzyme.
MethodsThe shape and electrostatic complementary between identified HITs and reference molecules were found to be Tanimotoshape 0.453, 0.690, 0.680, 0.685 & 0.672 respectively and Tanimotoelectrostatic 0.211, 0.211, 0.441, 0.442, 0.442 and 0.442 respectively. The molecular docking studies suggested that the identified HITs displayed the good interactions with active site residues and lower binding energies. The stability of docked complexes was assessed by MD simulations studies. The RMSD values of protein backbone (1.6779, 3.1563, 3.3634, 3.3893 & 3.0960 Å) and protein backbone RMSF values (1.0126, 1.0834, 1.0890, 0.9974 & 1.0080 Å respectively) for all top five HITs were stable and molecules did not fluctuate from the active pocket during entire 100ns MD run.
ResultsThe druggability Dscore below 1 indicate the tightly binding of ligand at the active site. Dscore for ZINC23504872 was found to be 1.084 while for the second class of compounds ZINC48412318, ZINC00413269, ZINC13998032 and ZINC75249613, 0.503, 0.484, 0.487 and 0.501 Dscores were observed. In-silico ADMET calculations suggested that all five HITs were possessed the drug likeliness properties and did not violate the Lipinski’s rule of five.
ConclusionSumming up, these in-silico generated data suggested that the identified molecules bearing pyrimidin-4(3H)-one would be promising scaffold for DENV protease inhibitors. However, experimental results are needed to prove the obtained results.
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Discovery of Two GSK3β Inhibitors from Sophora flavescens Ait. using Structure-based Virtual Screening and Bioactivity Evaluation
Authors: Dabo Pan, Yong Zeng, Dewen Jiang, Yonghao Zhang, Mingkai Wu, Yaxuan Huang, Minzhen Han and Xiaojie JinAvailable online: 25 October 2024More LessObjectiveKushen (Sophora flavescens Ait.) has a long history of medicinal use in China due to its medicinal values, such as antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory. Rapid discovery of the components and the medicinal effects exerted by Kushen will help elucidate the science of Kushen in curing diseases. GSK3β (glycogen synthase kinase-3 beta) is a protein kinase with a wide range of physiological functions, such as antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory. The discovery of inhibitors targeting GSK3β from Kushen was not only helpful for the rapid discovery of the components responsible for the efficacy of Kushen but also important for the development of novel drugs.
MethodsIn this study, the chemical composition of Kushen was extracted from the TMSCP database. Molecular docking, GSK3β enzyme assay, and molecular dynamics simulations were used to discover the GSK3β inhibitors from the chemical composition of Kushen.
ResultsA total of 113 chemical compositions of Kushen were extracted from the TMSCP database. Molecular docking indicated that 15 chemical compositions of Kushen scored better than -8 kcal/mol against GSK3β. GSK3β enzyme assay demonstrated several inhibitory activities of kushenol I and kushenol F with IC50 values of 7.53 ± 2.55 µM and 4.96 ± 1.29 µM, respectively. Molecular dynamics simulations were used to reveal the interactions of kushenol I and kushenol F with GSK3β from structural and energetic perspectives.
ConclusionKushenol I and kushenol F could be the material basis for the antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory properties of Kushen.
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Exploring the Potential Mechanisms of Danshen for the Treatment of Ulcerative Colitis based on Serum Pharmacochemistry, Gene Expression Profiling, and Network Pharmacology: Regulation of Cell Apoptosis and Inflammatory Response
Authors: Run-Xiang Zhai, Meng-Yu Wang, Hai-Tao Du, Chun-Xiao Yan, Zi-Wei Li, Kuo Xu, Hui Li, Xian-Jun Fu and Xia RenAvailable online: 24 October 2024More LessBackgroundAs a traditional Chinese medicine, Danshen shows potential efficacy for treating ulcerative colitis (UC). However, the bioactive components and mode of action were unclear.
Aim of this StudyThis paper uses a combination of network pharmacology, serum medicinal chemistry, and gene expression profiling to clarify its possible molecular mechanism of action and material basis.
MethodsUltra-high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS) was utilized to analyze the herbal components and metabolites from the serum of Danshen-treated mice. Gene expression profiles were applied to construct a database of Danshen action targets. Then, active ingredient-target-biological functional module networks were constructed to analyze the mechanism of action. Molecular docking has further confirmed the possibility of its components to the targets.
ResultsAs a result, 193 common targets between 1684 Danshen-related DEGs and 1492 UC targets were determined as the potential targets for Danshen in treatment with UC. Serum pharmacochemistry and target prediction showed that 22 components in serum acted on 777 targets. Intersection with common targets yielded 46 core targets, and an active ingredient-target-biological functional module network was constructed for analysis. Network prediction and molecular docking results showed that the main action modules were inflammatory response and cell apoptosis, which mainly acted on targets SRC, RELA, HSP90AA1, CTNNB1, STAT3, and CASP3. The main components of Danshen intervention in UC were predicted to include Catechol, 3,9-Dimethoxypterocarpan, 8-Prenylnaringenin, Isoferulic acid, Salvianolic acid C, and Danshensu.
ConclusionThe present study provides a scientific foundation for further explicating the mechanisms of Danshen against UC.
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Synergistic Action of Thymol-citral is Associated with Cell Cycle Arrest and Intracellular ROS Generation in A549 Cells
Available online: 24 October 2024More LessObjectiveNSCLC is the predominant form of lung cancer, often exhibiting resistance to chemotherapy. Thymol and citral have shown promise as anticancer agents in different cancer cell lines but have not been evaluated in combination against NSCLC. Hence, we planned to investigate the anticancer effect of thymol-citral combination and explore its mechanisms of action against A549 cells.
MethodsA549 cells were exposed to varying concentrations of thymol and citral, alone and in combination. Cell proliferation, plasma membrane integrity, apoptotic markers, reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, cell cycle distribution, senescence induction, and migration potential were assessed. Additionally, in vitro safety was evaluated in human bronchial epithelial cells (HBECs) and human red blood cells (RBCs).
ResultsThymol and citral showed synergistic action against A549 cells, with a CI value of 0.75. After 24 h, they induced apoptosis, caused G0/G1 phase arrest, and increased ROS levels, suggesting oxidative stress as the mechanism. This combination also induced cell senescence, significantly inhibited A549 cell migration, and was non-toxic to human RBCs and HBECs.
ConclusionOverall, the thymol-citral synergistic combination was found to be a safe and effective therapy option for non-small cell lung cancer.
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Discovery of Novel PTP1B Inhibitors by High-throughput Virtual Screening
Available online: 17 October 2024More LessAimTo Discover novel PTP1B inhibitors by high-throughput virtual screening
BackgroundType 2 Diabetes is a significant global health concern. According to projections, the estimated number of individuals affected by the condition will reach 578 million by the year 2030 and is expected to further increase to 700 million deaths by 2045. Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase 1B is an enzymatic protein that has a negative regulatory effect on the pathways involved in insulin signaling. This regulatory action ultimately results in the development of insulin resistance and the subsequent elevation of glucose levels in the bloodstream. The proper functioning of insulin signaling is essential for maintaining glucose homeostasis, whereas the disruption of insulin signaling can result in the development of type 2 diabetes. Consequently, we sought to utilize PTP1B as a drug target in this investigation.
ObjectiveThe purpose of our study was to identify novel PTP1B inhibitors as a potential treatment for managing type 2 diabetes.
MethodsTo discover potent PTP1B inhibitors, we have screened the Maybridge HitDiscover database by SBVS. Top hits have been passed based on various drug-likeness rules, toxicity predictions, ADME assessment, Consensus Molecular docking, DFT, and 300 ns MD Simulations.
ResultsTwo compounds have been identified with strong binding affinity at the active site of PTP1B along with drug-like properties, efficient ADME, low toxicity, and high stability.
ConclusionThe identified molecules could potentially manage T2DM effectively by inhibiting PTP1B, providing a promising avenue for therapeutic strategies.
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Anti-Inflammatory Potential of Costus speciosus rhizome Bioactive Phytochemicals: A Combined GC-MS and Computational Approach Targeting TLR-4 Signaling
Available online: 16 October 2024More LessBackgroundPlants represent a rich reservoir of bioactive compounds with established therapeutic value in diverse diseases. Notably, the Toll-like receptor-4 (TLR-4) signaling pathway plays a pivotal role in inflammation. Upon engagement with pro-inflammatory ligands like lipopolysaccharide, TLR-4 triggers downstream cascades involving nuclear factor ĸappa B and mitogen-activated protein kinases. This signaling cascade ultimately dictates the onset and progression of inflammatory diseases. Therefore, targeting TLR-4 signaling offers a promising therapeutic approach for managing inflammatory disorders.
MethodsThis study investigated the potential of Costus speciosus rhizome phytocompounds, a traditional medicinal plant, as novel as modulators of TLR-4 signaling, highlighting their mechanisms of action and potential clinical applications. In the present study, 18 phytocompounds isolated from the rhizome of Costus speciosus, were studied against TLR-4/AP-1 signaling, which is implicated in the inflammatory process using a computational approach.
ResultsThe compounds exhibited binding affinities ranging from -4.087 to -8.93 kcal/mol with the TLR-4 protein due to the formation of multiple intermolecular interactions. Benzenepropanoic acid, 3,5-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)-4-hydroxy-, methyl ester (compound 7) exhibited exceptional binding energy (-8.93 kcal/mol), indicating strong affinity for the TLR-4 protein. Additionally, compound 7 displayed favorable ADMET properties, suggesting promising drug development potential. Molecular dynamics simulations confirmed the stability of the compound 7-TLR4 complex, further supporting its ability to modulate TLR-4 signaling.
ConclusionThese findings highlight the therapeutic potential of Costus speciosus phytocompounds, particularly compound 7, as potent anti-inflammatory modulators. Further research is warranted to validate their anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects in pre-clinical models, paving the way for their development as novel therapeutic agents for inflammatory diseases.
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Exploring the Mechanism of Centipeda minima in Treating Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Based on Network Pharmacology
Authors: Can Huang, Xiaolin Liu, Weimo Wang and Zhen GuoAvailable online: 14 October 2024More LessBackgroundCentipeda minima (CM) is a traditional Chinese herbal medicine used for the treatment of sinusitis and rhinitis, and it possesses anti-cancer properties. However, the mechanism of CM in the treatment of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) remains unclear.
ObjectiveThis study aimed to explore the mechanism of CM in the treatment of NPC using a network pharmacology approach.
MethodsThe active components and targets of CM and NPC were screened using TCMSP, SwissTarget, and GeneCards database. The association between CM components and NPC targets or pathways was analyzed using String, Cytoscape 3.9.1, David 6.7, and AutoDock Vina. The Sangerbox platform was used to conduct differential expression and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis of core genes.
ResultsWe identified 17 active compounds of CM and 146 corresponding targeted proteins in NPC. These targets may modulate pathways in cancer, PI3K-Akt, apoptosis, prolactin, relaxin, and TNF signaling. The top 5 core genes of the PPI network were found to be AKT1, STAT3, CASP3, EGFR, and SRC, which may be the main targets of CM in treating NPC. Molecular docking confirmed the binding energies of quercetin with CASP3, 8-Hydroxy-9,10-diisobutyryloxythymol with AKT1, and plenolin with AKT1, which were particularly low, suggesting robust and stable interactions. The expression levels of AKT1, CASP3, EGFR, SRC, MMP9, CCND1, and PTGS2 were significantly higher in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSC) samples compared to normal samples. In addition, the hub genes could predict the prognosis of HNSC as the Kaplan-Meier survival curve showed that patients with lower expressions of AKT1, STAT3, CASP3, EGFR, MMP9, ESR1, PTGS2, and PPARG had better overall survival.
ConclusionBy conducting a network pharmacology approach, we revealed the main ingredients, key targets, and regulatory pathways of Centipeda minima in the treatment of NPC.
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Exploring the Potential Mechanisms of Danshen for the Treatment of Ulcerative Colitis based on Serum Pharmacochemistry, Gene Expression Profiling, and Network Pharmacology: Regulation of Cell Apoptosis and Inflammatory Response
Authors: Run-Xiang Zhai, Meng-Yu Wang, Hai-Tao Du, Chun-Xiao Yan, Zi-Wei Li, Kuo Xu, Hui Li, Xian-Jun Fu and Xia RenAvailable online: 10 October 2024More LessBackgroundAs a traditional Chinese medicine, Danshen shows potential efficacy for treating ulcerative colitis (UC). However, the bioactive components and mode of action were unclear.
Aim of this StudyThis paper uses a combination of network pharmacology, serum medicinal chemistry, and gene expression profiling to clarify its possible molecular mechanism of action and material basis.
MethodsUltra-high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS) was utilized to analyze the herbal components and metabolites from the serum of Danshen-treated mice. Gene expression profiles were applied to construct a database of Danshen action targets. Then, active ingredient-target-biological functional module networks were constructed to analyze the mechanism of action. Molecular docking has further confirmed the possibility of its components to the targets.
ResultsAs a result, 193 common targets between 1684 Danshen-related DEGs and 1492 UC targets were determined as the potential targets for Danshen in treatment with UC. Serum pharmacochemistry and target prediction showed that 22 components in serum acted on 777 targets. Intersection with common targets yielded 46 core targets, and an active ingredient-target-biological functional module network was constructed for analysis. Network prediction and molecular docking results showed that the main action modules were inflammatory response and cell apoptosis, which mainly acted on targets SRC, RELA, HSP90AA1, CTNNB1, STAT3, and CASP3. The main components of Danshen intervention in UC were predicted to include Catechol, 3,9-Dimethoxypterocarpan, 8-Prenylnaringenin, Isoferulic acid, Salvianolic acid C, and Danshensu.
ConclusionThe present study provides a scientific foundation for further explicating the mechanisms of Danshen against UC.
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Targeted Therapy of Tumors and Cancer Stem Cells based on Oxidant-regulated Redox Pathway and its Mechanism
Authors: Shunshun Wang, Juanjuan Han, Zijun Wang, Xianqiong Liu, Chunli Wang, Muhammad Farrukh Nisar, Lianhong Pan and Kang XuAvailable online: 30 May 2024More LessA malignant tumor is a frequent and common disease that severely threatens human health. Many mechanisms, such as cell signaling pathway, anti-apoptosis mechanism, cell stemness, metabolism, and cell phenotype, have been studied to explain the reasons for chemotherapy, radioresistance, and tumor recurrences in antitumor treatment. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are important tumor cell subclasses that can potentially organize and regulate stem cell properties. Growing evidence suggests that CSCs can initiate tumors and constitute a significant factor in metastasis, recurrence, and treatment resistance. The inability to completely target and remove CSCs is a considerable obstacle in tumor treatment. Therefore, drugs and therapeutic strategies that can effectively intervene with CSCs are essential for the treatment of different tumor types. However, the current strategies and efficacy of targeted elimination of CSCs are very limited. Oxidative stress has been recognized to play a crucial role in cancer pathophysiology. Moreover, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and imbalance of the built-in cellular antioxidant defense system are hallmarks of tumor and cancer etiology. The current paper will focus on the regulation and mechanism behind oxidative stress in tumors and cancer stem cells and its tumor therapy applications. Additionally, the article discusses the role of CSCs in causing tumor treatment resistance and recurrence based on a redox perspective. The study also emphasizes that targeted modulation of oxidative stress in CSCs has great potential in tumor therapy, providing novel prospects for tumor therapy.
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Mechanism of Shenfu Injection in Treating Ischemic Stroke Elucidated using Network Pharmacology and Experimental Validation
Authors: Xuecheng Yu, Kun Shi, Bin Wu, Zengxiang Gao, Jiyuan Tu, Yan Cao, Linlin Chen and Guosheng CaoAvailable online: 15 April 2024More LessBackgroundShenfu injection was derived from the classical Chinese medicine formula ‘Shenfu decoction’, which was widely used in the treatment of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases in clinical practice.
ObjectivesPredict the main active ingredients, core targets, and related signaling pathways of Shenfu injection in the treatment of ischemic stroke.
MethodsDatabases were used to collect the active ingredients and target information of Shenfu injection; GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analyses were performed using the David database. The effects of Shenfu injection on core targets were verified using molecular docking and in vivo experiments.
ResultsThe predicted results identified 44 active ingredients and 635 targets in Shenfu injection, among which 418 targets, including TNF, IL-6, MAPK1, and MAPK14, were potential targets for the treatment of ischemic stroke. Molecular docking revealed that the active ingredients had good binding to IL-6, MAPK1, and MAPK14. In vivo experiments demonstrated that Shenfu injection significantly improved the pathological damage due to ischemic stroke, promoted the expression of tight junction proteins, and inhibited MMP-2 and MMP-9 expressions, thereby reducing BBB permeability. Animal experiments revealed that Shenfu injection could inhibit p38、JNK and ERK phosphorylation.
ConclusionsMechanism of Shenfu injection in treating ischemic stroke may be via inhibition of the inflammatory factors levels and protecting the BBB, thereby warranting subsequent studies and highlighting its potential as a reference for new drug development.
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