ABSTRACT
Aim To investigate the potential molecular basis of Epimedium and to clarify the molecular mechanism of Epimedium in the treatment of osteoporosis.Methods The method of network pharmacology was used to determine and screen the known compounds corresponding to Epimedium,and predict the drug-related gene/protein targets,and combined with bioinformatics,the specific target of osteoporosis prevention and treatment of Epimedium was determined,and then the signal pathway enrichment was analysed,the molecular mechanism of Epimedium in treatment of osteoporosis was further explored.Results A total of 130 corresponding compounds were retrieved in the TCMID database from Epimedium.According to the values of OB and DL,23 blood transfusion components were screened,in which 101 targets were obtained using the related target prediction technique.Through the secondary mining of the gene chip of GEO chip database,we obtained a total of 124 significantly different genes.And a total of 355 known target genes closely related to the development of osteoporosis were retrieved in the disease-related database.Using the cytoscape to construct and synthesize the protein-protein interaction network of active ingredients and diseases,221 key genes were screened out by network topological analysis.Using ClueGO analysis,it was shown that Epimedium was directly engaged in the signal pathways involved in the key nodes of osteoporosis,which were mainly related to the direct regulation of bone metabolism,such as Wnt signaling pathway,TGF-β signaling pathway and Notch signaling pathway,and that Epimedium regulated other signal pathways,such as PI3K-Akt signaling pathway,VEGF signaling pathway and thyroid hormone signaling pathway.Conclusions Epimedium has the characteristics of multiple targets and multicomponent in the treatment of osteoporosis,which could not only be directly involved in bone cell differentiation and regulation of the balance of osteogenesis and osteoclasts,but also affect and interfere with the bone microenvironment through other systemic systems,such as circulatory system,nervous system,which is consistent with the current mechanism of treatment of osteoporosis.