Therapeutic mechanism of Toujie Quwen granules in COVID-19 based on network pharmacology

Abstract Background Chinese medicine Toujie Quwen granule (TJQW) has proven to be effective in the treatment of mild coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases by relieving symptoms, slowing the progression of the disease, and boosting the recovery of patients. But the bioactive compounds and potential mechanisms of TJQW for COVID-19 prevention and treatment are unclear. This study aimed to explore the potential therapeutic mechanism of TJQW in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) based on an integrated network pharmacology approach. Methods TCMSP were used to search and screen the active ingredients in TJQW. The Swiss TargetPrediction was used to predict the potential targets of active ingredients. Genes co-expressed with ACE2 were considered potential therapeutic targets on COVID-19. Venn diagram was created to show correlative targets of TJQW against COVID-19. Cytoscape was used to construct a “drug-active ingredient-potential target” network, STRING were used to construct protein-protein interaction network, and cytoHubba performed network topology analysis. Enrichment of biological functions and signaling pathways of core targets was performed by using the clusterProfiler package in R software and ClueGO with CluePedia plugins in Cytoscape. Results A total of 156 active ingredients were obtained through oral bioavailability and drug-likeness screenings. Two hundred twenty-seven potential targets of TJQW were related to COVID-19. The top ten core targets are EGFR, CASP3, STAT3, ESR1, FPR2, F2, BCL2L1, BDKRB2, MPO, and ACE. Based on that, we obtained 19 key active ingredients: umbelliprenin, quercetin, kaempferol, luteolin, praeruptorin E, stigmasterol, and oroxylin A. And the enrichment analysis obtained multiple related gene ontology functions and signaling pathways. Lastly, we constructed a key network of “drug-component-target-biological process-signaling pathway”. Our findings suggested that TJQW treatment for COVID-19 was associated with elevation of immunity and suppression of inflammatory stress, including regulation of inflammatory response, viral process, neutrophil mediated immunity, PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, MAPK signaling pathway, Jak-STAT signaling pathway, Complement and coagulation cascades, and HIF-1 signaling pathway. Conclusions Our study uncovered the pharmacological mechanism underlying TJQW treatment for COVID-19. These results should benefit efforts for people around the world to gain more knowledge about Chinese medicine TJQW in the treatment of this vicious epidemic COVID-19, and help to address this pressing problem currently facing the world.

Download Full-text

Network pharmacology to investigate the pharmacological mechanisms of muscone in Xingnaojing injections for the treatment of severe traumatic brain injury

PeerJ ◽

10.7717/peerj.11696 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 ◽

pp. e11696

Author(s):

Zhuohang Liu ◽

Hang Li ◽

Wenchao Ma ◽

Shuyi Pan

Keyword(s):

Traumatic Brain Injury ◽

Brain Injury ◽

Chinese Medicine ◽

Signaling Pathways ◽

Neuronal Apoptosis ◽

Molecular Mechanisms ◽

Venn Diagram ◽

Network Pharmacology ◽

Active Ingredients ◽

Hub Proteins

Background Xingnaojing injections (XNJI) are widely used in Chinese medicine to mitigate brain injuries. An increasing number of studies have shown that XNJI may improve neurological function. However, XNJI’s active ingredients and molecular mechanisms when treating traumatic brain injury (TBI) are unknown. Methods XNJI’s chemical composition was acquisited from literature and the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology (TCMSP) database. We used the “absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion” (ADME) parameter-based virtual algorithm to further identify the bioactive components. We then screened data and obtained target information regarding TBI and treatment compounds from public databases. Using a Venn diagram, we intersected the information to determine the hub targets. Cytoscape was used to construct and visualize the network. In accordance with the hub proteins, we then created a protein–protein interaction (PPI) network using STRING 11.0. Gene Ontology (GO) and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways were analyzed according to the DAVID bioinformatics resource database (ver. 6.8). We validated the predicted compound’s efficacy using the experimental rat chronic constriction injury (CCI) model. The neuronal apoptosis was located using the TUNEL assay and the related pathways’ hub proteins were determined by PCR, Western blot, and immunohistochemical staining. Results We identified 173 targets and 35 potential compounds belonging to XNJI. STRING analysis was used to illustrate the protein–protein interactions and show that muscone played a fundamental role in XNJI’s efficacy. Enrichment analysis revealed critical signaling pathways in these components’ potential protein targets, including PI3K/AKT1, NF-kB, and p53. Moreover, the hub proteins CASP3, BCL2L1, and CASP8 were also involved in apoptosis and were associated with PI3K/AKT, NF-kB, and p53 signaling pathways. We showed that muscone and XNJI were similarly effective 168 h after CCI, demonstrating that the muscone in XNJI significantly attenuated neuronal apoptosis through the PI3K/Akt1/NF-kB/P53 pathway. Conclusion We verified the neuroprotective mechanism in muscone for the first time in TBI. Network pharmacology offers a new approach for identifying the potential active ingredients in XNJI.

Download Full-text

A network pharmacology approach to explore the mechanisms of action of Epimrdii Herba-Coicis Semen for treatment of Alzheimer's disease

10.21203/rs.3.rs-20651/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Yuxuan Zhou

Keyword(s):

Alzheimer’S Disease ◽

Alzheimer's Disease ◽

Chinese Medicine ◽

Traditional Chinese Medicine ◽

Signaling Pathways ◽

Mapk Signaling ◽

Venn Diagram ◽

Network Pharmacology ◽

Pharmacokinetic Parameters ◽

Neuron Death

Abstract Background: Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) can treat diseases through its “multi-component, multi-target, multi-pathway” mechanisms. Especially have advantages in the treatment of diseases with complicated pathogenesis, such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Tonifying the kidney and strengthening the spleen is one of the common methods of Chinese Medicine to treat AD. The TCM combination of Epimrdii Herba and Coicis Semen can be used as the main drugs of a prescription for tonifying the kidney and strengthening the spleen. However, the mechanisms for Epimrdii Herba-Coicis Semen (EH-CS) to treat AD is vague. The purpose of this study was to explore the mechanisms of EH-CS on AD using a network pharmacological method.Methods: We retrieved the chemical compounds and targets of Epimrdii Herba-Coicis Semen from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP). We screened the active ingredients based on the pharmacokinetic parameters (ADME). The Human Gene Database (GeenCards) was used to obtain disease targets of Alzheimer’s disease. Then we drew a venn diagram to obtain common targets of Chinese medicine and disease. Based on the topological properties, we screened the key targets. The protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed using the STRING database, and the "Traditional Chinese Medicine-active ingredient-target" network was constructed using Cytoscape software. The key targets were respectively uploaded to the Metascape and DAVID database for GO and KEGG pathway analysis.Results: We obtained 31 active compounds for EH-CS. Flavonoids play important roles in the treatment of AD. A total of 29 key targets, including AKT1, MAPK1, and TP53, etc. The biological processes involve response to lipopolysaccharide, neuron death, neuroinflammatory response, etc. The main pathways include TNF signaling pathways, MAPK signaling pathways, PI3K-Akt signaling pathways and other signaling pathways.Conclusion: The network pharmacology method is an effective tool for exploring the mechanisms of TCM. Based on network pharmacology, this study systematically explained the potential mechanisms of EH-CS on AD. It provides a valuable reference for the development of AD drugs.

Download Full-text

A network pharmacology analysis on drug-like compounds from Ganoderma lucidum for alleviation of Atherosclerosis

10.21203/rs.3.rs-236410/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Ki Kwang Oh ◽

Md. Adnan ◽

Dong Ha Cho

Keyword(s):

Signaling Pathways ◽

Signaling Pathway ◽

Ganoderma Lucidum ◽

Mapk Signaling ◽

Mendelian Inheritance ◽

Chronic Inflammatory Disease ◽

Mapk Signaling Pathway ◽

Venn Diagram ◽

Network Pharmacology ◽

Overlapping Genes

Abstract Background: Ganoderma lucidum (GL) is known as a potent alleviator against chronic inflammatory disease like atherosclerosis (AS), but its critical bioactive compounds and their mechanisms against AS have not been unveiled. This research aimed to identify the key compounds(s) and mechanism(s) of GL against AS through network pharmacology.Methods: The compounds from GL were identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrum (GC-MS), and SwissADME screened their physicochemical properties. Then, the gene(s) associated with the screened compound(s) or AS related genes were identified by public databases, and we selected the overlapping genes using a Venn diagram. The networks between overlapping genes and compounds were visualized, constructed, and analyzed by RStudio. Finally, we performed molecular docking test (MDT) to identify key gene(s), compound(s) on AutoDockVina.Results: A total of 35 compounds in GL was detected via GC-MS, and 34 compounds (accepted by the Lipinski's rule) were selected as drug-like compounds (DLCs). A total of 34 compounds were connected to the number of 785 genes and 2,606 AS-related genes were identified by DisGeNET and Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM). The final 98 overlapping genes were extracted between the compounds-genes network and AS-related genes. On Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment, the number of 27 signaling pathways were sorted out, and a hub signaling pathway (MAPK signaling pathway), a core gene (PRKCA), and a key compound (Benzamide, 4-acetyl-N-(2,6-dimethylphenyl)) were selected among the 27 signaling pathways via MDT. Conclusion: Overall, we found that the identified 3 DLCs from GL have potent anti-inflammatory efficacy, improving AS by inactivating the MAPK signaling pathway.

Download Full-text

Exploring the mechanism of (-)-Epicatechin on premature ovarian insufficiency based on network pharmacology and experimental evaluation

Bioscience Reports ◽

10.1042/bsr20203955 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 41 (2) ◽

Author(s):

Fei Yan ◽

Qi Zhao ◽

Huanpeng Gao ◽

Xiaomei Wang ◽

Ke Xu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gene Ontology ◽

Chinese Medicine ◽

Traditional Chinese Medicine ◽

Signaling Pathways ◽

Signaling Pathway ◽

Mapk Signaling ◽

Network Pharmacology ◽

Pathway Enrichment Analysis ◽

Related Factor ◽

Nrf2 Signaling Pathway

Abstract Methods: Relevant potential targets for EC were obtained based on Traditional Chinese Medicine System Pharmacology Database (TCMSP), a bioinformatics analysis tool for molecular mechanism of Traditional Chinese Medicine (BATMAN-TCM) and STITCH databases. The Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM) and GeneCards databases were utilized to screen the known POI-related targets, while Cytoscape software was used for network construction and visualization. Then, the Gene Ontology (GO) and pathway enrichment analysis were carried out by the Database for Annotation, Visualization and Integrated Discovery (DAVID) database. Furthermore, KGN cells were performed to validate the predicted results in oxidative stress (OS) model, and antioxidant effect was examined. Results: A total of 70 potential common targets for EC in the treatment of POI were obtained through network pharmacology. Metabolic process, response to stimulus and antioxidant activity occupied a leading position of Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis indicated that PI3K/protein kinase B (AKT), TNF, estrogen, VEGF and MAPK signaling pathways were significantly enriched. In addition, cell experiments showed that EC exhibited antioxidant effects in an H2O2-mediated OS model in ovarian granulosa cells by regulating the expression of PI3K/AKT/nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) signaling pathway and multiple downstream antioxidant enzymes. Conclusion: EC could regulate multiple signaling pathways and several biological processes (BPs). EC had the ability to down-regulate elevated OS level through the PI3K/AKT/Nrf2 signaling pathway and represented a potential novel treatment for POI.

Download Full-text

Studies of the Anti-Diabetic Mechanism of Pueraria lobata Based on Metabolomics and Network Pharmacology

Processes ◽

10.3390/pr9071245 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (7) ◽

pp. 1245

Author(s):

Shu Zhang ◽

Qi Ge ◽

Liang Chen ◽

Keping Chen

Keyword(s):

Signaling Pathway ◽

Diabetes Complications ◽

Mapk Signaling ◽

Network Pharmacology ◽

Pueraria Lobata ◽

Insulin Deficiency ◽

Active Ingredients ◽

Foxo Signaling Pathway ◽

Anti Inflammation

Diabetes mellitus (DM), as a chronic disease caused by insulin deficiency or using obstacles, is gradually becoming a principal worldwide health problem. Pueraria lobata is one of the traditional Chinese medicinal and edible plants, playing roles in improving the cardiovascular system, lowering blood sugar, anti-inflammation, anti-oxidation, and so on. Studies on the hypoglycemic effects of Pueraria lobata were also frequently reported. To determine the active ingredients and related targets of Pueraria lobata for DM, 256 metabolites were identified by LC/MS non targeted metabonomics, and 19 active ingredients interacting with 51 DM-related targets were screened. The results showed that puerarin, quercetin, genistein, daidzein, and other active ingredients in Pueraria lobata could participate in the AGE-RAGE signaling pathway, insulin resistance, HIF-1 signaling pathway, FoxO signaling pathway, and MAPK signaling pathway by acting on VEGFA, INS, INSR, IL-6, TNF and AKT1, and may regulate type 2 diabetes, inflammation, atherosis and diabetes complications, such as diabetic retinopathy, diabetic nephropathy, and diabetic cardiomyopathy.

Download Full-text

A Network Pharmacology-Based Study on Active Ingredients of Corydalis Rhizoma on Coronary Heart Disease

10.21203/rs.3.rs-90765/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Ying Li ◽

Guhang Wei ◽

Zhenkun Zhuang ◽

Mingtai Chen ◽

Changjian Yuan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Coronary Heart Disease ◽

Heart Disease ◽

Chinese Medicine ◽

Traditional Chinese Medicine ◽

Rna Polymerase ◽

Rna Polymerase Ii ◽

Signaling Pathway ◽

Network Pharmacology ◽

Active Ingredients ◽

Active Components

Abstract BackgroundCorydalis Rhizoma(CR) showed a high efficacy for coronary heart disease (CHD). However, the interaction between the active ingredients of CR and the targets of CHD has not been unequivocally explained in previous researches. To study the active components and potential targets of Corydalis Rhizoma and to determine the mechanism underlying the exact effect of Corydalis Rhizoma on coronary heart disease, a method of network pharmacology was used.Materials and MethodsThe active components of CR and targets corresponding to each component were scanned out from Traditional Chinese medicine systems pharmacology database and analysis platform (TCMSP), and target genes of CHD were searched on GeneCards database and Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man(OMIM) database. The active components and common targets of CR and CHD were used to build the “CR-CHD” network through Cytoscape (version 3.2.1) software as well as protein-protein interaction(PPI) network on String database. Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis was executed by clusterProfiler(version 3.8) and DOSE(version 3.6) package on R platform.Results49 active ingredients and 394 relevant targets of CR and the 7173 CHD-related genes were retrieved. 40 common genes were selected for subsequent analysis. Crucial biological processes and pathways were obtained and analyzed, including DNA-binding transcription activator activity, RNA polymerase II-specific, RNA polymerase II transcription factor binding, kinase regulator activity, ubiquitin-like protein ligase binding, fluid shear stress and atherosclerosis, TNF signaling pathway, apoptosis, MAPK signaling pathway and PI3K-Akt signaling pathway.ConclusionsOverall, CR could alleviate CHD through the mechanisms predicted by network pharmacology, laying the foundation for future development of new drugs from traditional Chinese medicine on CHD.

Download Full-text

Exploration of the Modulatory Property Mechanism of ELeng Capsule in the Treatment of Endometriosis Using Transcriptomics Combined With Systems Network Pharmacology

Frontiers in Pharmacology ◽

10.3389/fphar.2021.674874 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

Author(s):

Weilin Zheng ◽

Jie Wang ◽

Jiayi Wu ◽

Tao Wang ◽

Yangxue Huang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Chinese Medicine ◽

Signaling Pathway ◽

Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition ◽

Active Role ◽

Mapk Signaling ◽

Network Pharmacology ◽

Receptor Interaction ◽

Mesenchymal Transition ◽

Beneficial Effects ◽

Function Modules

Endometriosis is a common gynecological disease and causes severe chronic pelvic pain and infertility. Growing evidence showed that traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) plays an active role in the treatment of endometriosis. ELeng Capsule (ELC) is a Chinese medicine formula used for the treatment of endometriosis for several years. However, the mechanisms of ELC have not been fully characterized. In this study, network pharmacology and mRNA transcriptome analysis were used to study various therapeutic targets in ELC. As a result, 40 compounds are identified, and 75 targets overlapped with endometriosis-related proteins. The mechanism of ELC for the treatment of endometriosis is based on the function modules of inducing apoptosis, inhibiting angiogenesis, and regulating immunity mainly through signaling molecules and interaction (neuroactive ligand–receptor interaction), immune system–associated pathways (toll-like receptor signaling pathway), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) signaling, and MAPK signaling pathway based on network pharmacology. In addition, based on RNA-sequence analysis, we found that the mechanism of ELC was predominantly associated with the regulation of the function modules of actin and cytoskeleton, epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT), focal adhesion, and immunity-associated pathways. In conclusion, ELC exerted beneficial effects on endometriosis, and the potential mechanism could be realized through functional modules, such as inducing apoptosis and regulating angiogenesis, cytoskeleton, and EMT. This work not only provides insights into the therapeutic mechanism of TCM for treating endometriosis but also offers an efficient way for drug discovery and development from herbal medicine.

Download Full-text

Network Pharmacology-Based Strategy for Predicting Therapy Targets of Tripterygium wilfordii on Acute Myeloid Leukemia

10.21203/rs.3.rs-29959/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Tingting Fang ◽

Lanqin Liu ◽

wenjun liu

Keyword(s):

Acute Myeloid Leukemia ◽

Chinese Medicine ◽

Signaling Pathway ◽

Myeloid Leukemia ◽

Enrichment Analysis ◽

Network Pharmacology ◽

Overlapping Genes ◽

Tripterygium Wilfordii ◽

Active Ingredients ◽

Acute Myeloid

Abstract Background. Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a common malignant tumor of the hematopoietic system. How to extend the survival time of AML patients and improve their prognosis is still a major medical problem. Chinese medicine has a long history in treating AML. Tripterygium wilfordii (TW) is a traditional Chinese medicine. With the deepening of pharmacological research of traditional Chinese medicine, triptolide, one of its active ingredients, has been proven to have a positive effect on the treatment of AML. Therefore，this study aimed on studying the potential therapeutic targets and pharmacological mechanism of TW in Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) based on network pharmacology.Methods. The active components of TW were obtained by network pharmacology through oral bioavailability, drug-likeness filtration. Comparative analysis was used to study the overlapping genes between active ingredient’s targets and AML treatment-related targets. Using STRING database to analyze interactions between overlapping genes. KEGG pathway analysis and Gene Ontology enrichment analysis were conducted in DAVID. These genes were analyzed for survival in OncoLnc database.Key findings. We screened 53 active ingredients, the results of comparative analysis showed that 8 active ingredients had an effect on AML treatment. Based on the active ingredients and overlapping genes, we constructed the Drug-Compounds-Genes-Disease Network. Survival analysis of overlapping genes indicated that some targets possess a significant influence on patients’ survival and prognosis. The enrichment analysis showed that the main pathways of targets are Toll-like receptor signaling pathway, NF-kappa B signaling pathway and HIF-1 signaling pathway.Conclusion. This study, using a network pharmacologic approach, provides another strategy that can help us to understand the mechanisms by which TW treats AML comprehensively.

Download Full-text

Network Pharmacology-Based Strategy for Predicting Active Ingredients and Potential Targets of Gegen Qinlian Decoction for Rotavirus Enteritis

Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine ◽

10.1155/2020/2957567 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 2020 ◽

pp. 1-12 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Peicheng Zhong ◽

Lijun Song ◽

Mengyue Gao ◽

Xiaotong Wang ◽

Wenpan Tan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Nervous System ◽

Chinese Medicine ◽

Traditional Chinese Medicine ◽

Ion Concentration ◽

Network Pharmacology ◽

Receptor Interaction ◽

Basic Rule ◽

Gastrointestinal Hormone ◽

Active Ingredients ◽

Therapeutic Mechanism

Ethnopharmacological Relevance. Gegen Qinlian decoction (GGQLD) is an effective formula treatment for rotavirus enteritis (RVE), which has been applied for 1900 years. It consists of 4 herbal medicines corresponding to the four roles “monarch, minister, assistant, and guide,” which is the basic rule of prescription composition in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). However, its active ingredients and therapeutic mechanism on RVE have not been fully investigated. Materials and Methods. In this study, a network pharmacology-based strategy was used to elucidate the mechanism of GGQLD for the treatment of RVE. Oral bioavailability and drug-likeness were taken as the judgment criteria to search the active ingredients of GGQLD in traditional Chinese medicine systems pharmacology database and analysis platform (TCMSP). The affinity between protein and ingredients was further determined using the similarity ensemble approach to find the corresponding targets. According to the genes related to enteritis in GeneCards database, the key targets were screened by intersections between drug and disease targets. And the therapeutic mechanism was predicted using the protein-protein interactions (PPIs), the Gene Ontology (GO), and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) database, which was verified by detecting calcium ion concentration with the fluorescent probe. Result. 130 active ingredients were screened from GGQLD, including (R)-canadine, moupinamide, formononetin, and other flavonoids. They act on a total of 366 targets, which is mainly distributed in the biological process of hormone binding or signaling pathways of neuroactive ligand receptor interaction, serotonergic synapse, and calcium signaling pathway. Furthermore, serotonin receptors, adrenergic receptors, cholinergic receptors, and dopamine receptors in the enteric nervous system may be the key targets of RVE treatment by GGQLD. Conclusion. This study demonstrated that the potential mechanism that GGQLD can effectively improve the symptoms of RVE may depend on the regulation of calcium ions, serotonin, and gastrointestinal hormone ion that could mutually affect the intestinal nervous system.

Download Full-text

Deciphering the Active Ingredients and Molecular Mechanisms of Tripterygium hypoglaucum (Levl.) Hutch against Rheumatoid Arthritis Based on Network Pharmacology

Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine ◽

10.1155/2020/2361865 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 2020 ◽

pp. 1-9 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Yunbin Jiang ◽

Mei Zhong ◽

Fei Long ◽

Rongping Yang

Keyword(s):

Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽

Signaling Pathways ◽

Molecular Mechanisms ◽

Venn Diagram ◽

Network Pharmacology ◽

Pathway Enrichment Analysis ◽

Clinical Effects ◽

Overlapping Genes ◽

Active Ingredients ◽

Tripterygium Hypoglaucum

Tripterygium hypoglaucum (Levl.) Hutch (THH) shows well clinical effect on rheumatoid arthritis (RA), but the active ingredients and molecular mechanisms remain unclear. This work was designed to explore these issues by network pharmacology. Compounds from THH were gathered by retrieving literatures. Compound-related and RA-related genes were identified using databases, and the overlapping genes were identified by Venn diagram. The active ingredients and genes of THH against RA were confirmed by dissecting interactions between overlapping genes and compounds using Cytoscape. SystemsDock website was used to further verify the combining degree of key genes with active ingredients. Pathway enrichment analysis was performed to decipher the mechanisms of THH against RA by Database for Annotation, Visualization and Integrated Discovery. A total of 123 compounds were collected, and 110 compounds-related and 1871 RA-related genes were identified, including 64 overlapping genes. The target genes and active ingredients of THH against RA comprised 64 genes and 17 compounds, the focus of which was PTGS2, triptolide, and celastrol. SystemsDock website indicated that the combing degree of PTGS2 with triptolide or celastrol was very good. The mechanisms of THH against RA were linked to 31 signaling pathways, and the key mechanism was related to inhibition of inflammation response through inactivating TNF and NF-kappa B signaling pathways. This work firstly explored the active ingredients and mechanisms of THH against RA by network pharmacology and provided evidence to support clinical effects of THH on RA.

Download Full-text