ABSTRACT
Objective To explore the mechanisms of synergic action of commonly-used herb pair of Radix Sophorae Flavescentis (Kushen, KS) and Fructus Cnidii (Shechuangzi, SCZ) for the treatment of pruritus. Methods We predicted and analyzed the potential targets of KS and SCZ based on network pharmacology method, and then established Chinese herbs-compound skeletons-targets networks to reveal anti-pruritus targets, predicting targets, and the interaction of KS and SCZ, as well as the components of the herb pair. The RAW264.7 inflammatory cell model was established to observe the synergistic anti-inflammatory activity of KS and SCZ. Results KS and SCZ had possible synergic action on the pruritus-related targets such as histamine receptors, cannabinoid receptors and proteinase-activated receptor 2. Additionally, KS and SCZ probably had synergic regulation of inflammation-related pathway (Toll -like receptor signaling pathway , chemokine signaling and Fc epsilon RI signaling pathway) and nerve-related pathway(neurotrophin signaling pathway) during the treatment of pruritus. Flavones from KS and coumarin of SCZ had various synergistic anti-inflammatory activities(P<0.05), indicating that they played an important role in inhibiting pruritus induced by inflammation. Conclusion The method may reveal the molecular mechanism of KS and SCZ in inhibiting pruritus, which is important for the modernization of Chinese medicine and new drug development.
