Study on network pharmacology of Gualou Guizhi Decoction in treatment of lower limb spasm after cerebral apoplexy / 中草药

ABSTRACT

Objective: The mechanism of Gualou Guizhi Decoction (GGD) in the treatment of lower limb spasm after stroke was analyzed based on network pharmacology. Methods: Using the TCMSP and SwissTarget Prediction platform to screen the main components and targets of GGD, the obtained target information was imported into Gephi software to build the active components-targets network of GGD. Genecard, DisGeNET, and TTD disease databases were used to screen target genes for stroke and lower limb spasm; Target protein interaction network was constructed by using STRING platform; KEGG pathways, and GO (Gene Ontology) function were analyzed by using ClueGO software and DAVID v 6.8 platform. Results: Flavonoids, organic acids, and saponins of GGD was applied to 49 key target genes, such as IL6, TNF, EGFR, ESR1, TP53, STAT3, and F2, etc; Forteen category biological processes including proliferation of striated muscle cells, bone remodeling, smooth muscle cells, muscle cells and endothelial cells proliferation were involved; Thirty signaling pathways, including TNF, MAPK, PI3K-Akt, ALS, serotonergic synapse, and neurotrophin, etc, were regulated. Conclusion: Various active ingredients of GGD has pharmacological effects such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, neurotrophic, and participate in some biological processes, such as muscle cell proliferation, so as to treat lower limb spasm after stroke from central nervous system and peripheral muscle tissue two-ways.