ABSTRACT
Objective: To investigate the mechanism of depression by Sini Powder. Methods: The chemical composition and targets of Bupleuri Radix, Paeonia Radix Alba, Aurantii Fructus Immaturus, and Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma were searched by the analysis of traditional Chinese medicine system pharmacology platform (TCMSP). Depression related genes were screened from OMIM, TDD, Drugbank, and Digsee multiple databases. The target corresponding genes were searched through UniProt, GeneCards, and PubMed database query and then Cytoscape 3.2.1 was used to build compound-targets (genes) networks, protein interaction (PPI) filter core targe; At last, the enrichment of gene ontology (GO) function analysis by DAVID based on the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis was carried out, and the mechanism of its action research was predicted. Results: The compound-target network contained 121 compounds and the corresponding 259 targets, and the key targets involved PTGS2, CALM1, ESR1, HSP90AA1, AR, etc. The PPI core network contained 15 proteins, key proteins involved in CASP3, CHRM2, CYP3A4, and etc. The function enrichment analysis of GO was 375 (P < 0.05), of which there were 307 biological processes (BP), and 37 related items of cell composition (CC), and 31 molecular function (MF) items. 37 related items of cell composition (CC), and 31 molecular function (MF) items. There were 37 signal pathways (P < 0.05) in KEGG pathway enrichment screening, involving neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction, dopaminergic synapse, IL-17 signaling pathway and so on. Conclusion: The active components in Sini Powder play an antidepressant role by acting on 15 key targets such as CASP3, CHRM2, DRD1 to regulate multiple signaling pathways.
ABSTRACT
Objective: This study was designed to explore the "multi-components, multi-targets, multi-pathways" mechanism of Qikui Granules in the treatment of diabetic nephropathy (DN) by network pharmacology, aiming to provide basis for its basic research and clinical application. Methods: The active chemical constituents of Qikui Granules and their related targets against diabetic kidney disease were searched and screened by multiple databases. The network maps of drug-disease-targets were constructed by Cytoscape software. The key targets of Qikui Granules against DN were searched by network topology. The GO and KEGG gene enrichment analysis of the key targets for treating DN were performed by using ClueGO. Results: The network analysis indicated that 67 active chemical components and 212 targets against DN were established from Qikui Granules. A total of 43 key targets were finally screened by network topology analysis. These targets were mainly enriched in 49 significant related pathways such as IL-17 signaling pathway, HIF-1 signaling pathway, TNF signaling pathway and so on. Also, 132 significant related biological processes such as neurotransmitter metabolic processes, positive regulation of small molecule metabolic processes, regulation of blood pressure and oxidoreductase activity were related. Conclusion: This study reveals that the active constituents of Qikui Granules could regulate multiple targets in the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy, which provides an important basis for further research on its mechanism of action against DN.