Abstract
Background
Memory impairment continues to be a major health problem and increases with age, especially in the elderly population worldwide. However, a causal mechanism has not been clearly identified. Currently, an interaction between bone and brain, the so-called “bone-brain crosstalk,” has emerged. We used a network pharmacology approach to explore the potential mechanisms of Drynariae Rhizoma (DR), a traditional Chinese medicine for fracture treatment, for therapeutic intervention of human conditions associated with memory impairment.
Methods
The Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform was used to screen out the active compounds of DR, and the targets of the active compounds were predicted using PharmMapper. Targets related to memory impairment were downloaded from the DisGeNET database. The compound-target network and protein-protein interaction network were built by NetworkAnalyst and Cytoscape software. Gene ontology analysis and Reactome pathway enrichment analysis were performed using NetworkAnalyst. SYBYL-X software was used to perform molecular docking simulation.
Results
Our study demonstrated that DR had 7 active compounds. There were 60 target genes related to these active compounds as well as to memory impairment. Signalling by nerve growth factor was among the top 3 enriched Reactome terms. Akt1 was an important signalling hub gene belonging to signalling by nerve growth factor pathway. Molecular docking results showed that the one of the active compounds, xanthogalenol, exhibited acceptable affinities to Akt1.
Conclusion
This study demonstrated the molecular mechanism that DR may alleviate memory impairment via regulation of Akt1 and signalling by nerve growth factor pathway. These results offer new ideas in searching for novel strategies for the treatment of memory impairment.
The Changes of Nerve Growth Factor Serum Levels After External Muscle Stimulation and The Correlation with Diabetic Neuropathy Symptom in Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy
