Network pharmacology based study on mechanism of Naozhenning Granule for treatment of cerebral trauma / 中草药

ABSTRACT

Objective: To predict the targets of the main ingredients in Naozhenning Granule and explore its molecular mechanism of multi-components, multi-targets, and multi-pathways. Methods: Reverse molecular docking (DRAR-CPI) and CooLGeN database were used to predict and screen the targets of Naozhenning Granule; GO enrichment was performed in ClueGO of Cytoscape; KEGG pathway analysis was conducted in DAVID database; The herbs-ingredients-targets-pathways-disease network was constructed in the Cytoscape software. Results: A total of 33 candidate compounds were screened out, and a total of 34 potential targets were revealed for Naozhenning Granule, such as MAPK1, CASP3, and GSK3B. The results of GO enrichment and KEGG pathway analysis indicated that Naozhenning Granule was involved in a series of biological process, such as reactive oxygen species biosynthetic process and positive regulation of smooth muscle cell proliferation as well as some signaling pathways, including PI3K/Akt, MAPK, JAK/STAT, and mTOR. The herbs-ingredients-targets-pathways-disease network suggested that the mechanism of Naozhenning Granule was involved with the regulation of oxidative stress, inhibiting the inflammatory response and the apoptosis of neural cells, regulation of the formation of H2S and the activity of PLG, improving the cognitive function and post traumatic depression. Conclusion: The study suggested that the molecular mechanism of Naozhenning Granule was related with the multi-components, multi-targets, and multi-pathways, which provided a scientific basis for further elucidation of the active ingredients and pharmacological action of Naozhenning Granule.