ABSTRACT
Objective:To explore the potential molecular targets and mechanism of Zeqi Decoction in the treatment of lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) through bioinformatics and cell experiment.Methods:The active components of Zeqi Decoction were collected based on TCMSP database and literature search. Then R software was used to screen differentially expressed genes in LUAD from TCGA and GEO databases. The co-expression module was obtained through weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA), and the potential targets were obtained after matching and mapping with targets of Zeqi Decoction. Enrichment analysis of GO function and KEGG pathway of targets was conducted. The results were experimentally verified. The lung adenocarcinoma cell lines A549 and H1299 were divided into blank control group and Zeqi Decoction group according to random number table. The inhibition rate of cell proliferation was detected by cell proliferation test (CCK-8); the expression of leukocyte differentiation antigen 36 (CD36) in A549 and H1299 cells was detected by Western blot; the levels of low density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) and IL-6 were detected by ELISA.Results:Totally 157 anti-lung adenocarcinoma active components and 18 potential targets were obtained, mainly including CD36, IL6, LDLR, etc. The main target of Zeqi Decoction in the treatment of lung adenocarcinoma was lipid metabolism. The results showed that Zeqi Decoction could effectively inhibit the activity of A549 and H1299 cells and the levels of CD36, LDLR and IL-6.Conclusion:Zeqi Decoction can inhibit the inflammatory response by down-regulating the protein expressions of CD36 and LDLR, thereby slowing the proliferation of cells.