Network pharmacology and
bioinformatics technology were used to predict the mechanism of action of Fuzi-Lizhong pill (FLP) in the
treatment of
ulcerative colitis (UC). 26 components (23 prototype compounds and 3 metabolites) in the
blood of FLP were selected as the
research objects. PharmMapper database, SwissTargetPrediction platform, GeneCards and
OMIM database were used to screen and predict potential targets of FLP in
blood. The
protein-protein interaction network model was constructed by using String database and Cytoscape
software. DAVID platform, KEGG and Reactome databases were used for GO
analysis and pathway
analysis of potential targets. Network of
drug ingredients-targets-pathways was constructed by Cytoscape
software. AutoDock vina
software was used to dock the molecules of the absorbed ingredients of FLP in
blood with the key targets. 82 potential targets of FLP for
treatment of UC were obtained. Potential targets mainly involve
biological processes such as response to organic substance,
regulation of
apoptosis,
regulation of
programmed cell death, which played
roles in the
treatment of UC by adjusting pathways in
cancer, Colorectal cancer,
Vascular endothelial growth factor signaling pathway,
Mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway,
arachidonic acid metabolism and the other
signal pathways. From the perspective of
network pharmacology, this study predicted the mechanisms of action of FLP in treating UC, indicating that FLP in treating UC had the characteristics of multiple ingredients, multiple targets and multiple pathways, which laid a
foundation for further
research.