ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the potential molecular functions and the involved signaling network of Heyan®Kuntai Capsules (HYKTc) based on the ingredient-gene targets clustering by means of bioinformatics analysis. Methods The ingredients in HYKTc were obtained by the combination of previous LC-ESI-MS/MS method and searched through Traditional Chinese Medicine System Pharmacology databases. Further the gene ontology (GO) and KEGG enrichment analysis were performed with Database for Annotation, Visualization, and Integrated Discovery (DAVID) tools. Results A total of 29 chemicals were obtained in which 21 chemicals were identified by LC-ESI-MS/MS method. Afterwards, 186 gene targets were acquired in the databases. The HYKTc-gene targets clustering were highly enriched in central nervous system, breast, and ovary. Subsequent GO analysis showed that these gene targets were significantly located in the cytosol, mitochondria and extracellular matrix, mainly functioning as lipase, kinase and oxidoreductase activity. Besides, KEGG results found that these targets were involved in the PI3K-Akt, mTOR, and insulin signaling pathways. Conclusions Using TCM databases searching combined with bioinformatics methods, the potential explanations for the clinical efficiency of HYKTc were proveded for further clinical applications.