Mechanism of Rhizoma Coptidis in epilepsy with network pharmacology.

Network pharmacology is a bioinformatics-based research strategy aimed at identifying drug actions and facilitating drug discovery. In this study, network pharmacology was used for exploring the anti-epileptic multi-target mechanism of Rhizoma Coptidis. The possible protein targets of Rhizoma Coptidis were predicted by constructing the pathway and network of drug targets. Then, the interaction of the main active components of Rhizoma Coptidis and predicted candidate targets were verified using molecular docking technology. Finally, nine active compounds were selected from Rhizoma Coptidis. A total of 68 targets associated with Rhizoma Coptidis treating epilepsy. The key targets were AKT1, IL6, VEGFA, and TP53. According to GO functional enrichment analysis, 289 items of biological process, 33 items of cellular component, and 55 items of molecular function were obtained. A total of 89 signaling pathways were identified through KEGG pathway enrichment analysis (P < 0.05), and HIF-1, TNF, and T-cell receptor signaling pathways were mainly related to epilepsy. Molecular docking showed quercetin and (R)-canadine combined well with the key targets. The active ingredient in Rhizoma Coptidis can regulate various signaling pathways, and have therapeutic effects on epilepsy.

Investigating the molecular mechanism of Compound Danshen Dropping Pills for the treatment of epilepsy by utilizing network pharmacology and molecular docking technology.

Background: Compound Danshen Dropping Pills (CDDP) is widely used in clinical treatment of epilepsy. But the underlying active ingredients and molecular mechanisms are unclear. Our study aims to investigate the active components and functional mechanisms of CDDP in treating epilepsy using a network pharmacology approach. Methods: Candidate constituents and targets of CDDP were searched on the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology database. NCBI and Genecards were used to establish a database of epilepsy targets. Next, used Cytoscape software, the interactive network diagram of "drug-active component-target" was drawn. Based on the STRING database we constructed protein-protein interaction network and analyzed protein-protein interaction relationships. Gene ontology analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment analysis were performed for the common targets. Molecular docking provided an evaluation tool for verifying the combination of components and targets, which was performed using Auto-dock. Results: Sixty bioactive components, corresponding to 79 therapeutic targets for epilepsy, were successfully identified. Functional enrichment analysis showed that CDDP plays a pharmacological role in the treatment of epilepsy by regulating serotonergic synapses, morphine addiction, nicotine addiction and other pathways, as well as the NF-κB signaling pathway. Molecular docking analysis showed that representative components may be closely bound to key targets. Conclusions: This network pharmacology study revealed the synergistic effects of multiple components, targets, and pathways of CDDP in the treatment of epilepsy, which will deepen our understanding of the underlying molecular mechanisms of CDDP in the treatment of epilepsy and lay the foundation for further experimental studies.

Neuroprotective effects of nobiletin on cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury rats by inhibiting Rho/ROCK signaling pathway.

Background: Nobiletin (NOB), an active natural flavonoid component of citrus, is used in Traditional Chinese Medicine for its anti-inflammatory activity, but its efficacy in cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury remains unclear. Methods: In a middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) rat model, MCAO rats were administered (Sham group and MCAO model group treated with an equal volume of solvent, NOB group treated with 10 or 20 mg/kg NOB) once a day for 7 days before cerebral ischemia and again after reperfusion, 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining was applied to assess the infarct area. Neurological function was evaluated by the modified neurological severity score and Morris water maze. The levels of inflammatory factors, interleukin 6 (IL-6), interleukin 1ß (IL-1ß) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), were examined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Histopathological staining evaluated neuron apoptosis in brain tissue. In an oxygen-glucose deprivation PC12 cell (OGD PC12) model, the proliferation, migration and apoptosis of OGD PC12 cells were detected by 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2-H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) and cell migration assays and flow cytometry. The gene and protein expression levels of Ras homolog gene family, member A (Rho A), ras-related C3 botulinum toxin substrate 1 (Rac 1), Rho-associated kinase 1 (ROCK 1), ROCK 2 in the Rho/ROCK pathway were measured by Real-time PCR (RT-PCR), immunohistochemistry and western blot. Results: In rats with cerebral I/R injury, NOB significantly decreased the infarcted area, neuron apoptosis in brain tissue and expressions of IL-6, IL-1ß, and TNF-α. It also improved neurological deficits in brain tissue and enhanced learning and memory ability. Further, NOB had a protective effect on OGD PC12 cells, increasing proliferation and migration and decreasing apoptosis. The expressions of Rho A, Rac 1, ROCK 1 and ROCK 2 were high in cerebral I/R injury rats, but were downregulated by NOB in I/R injury rats' brain tissue and OGD PC12 cells. Conclusions: Nobiletin had a neuroprotective effect in rats with cerebral I/R injury, and its potential mechanism is decreasing neuron apoptosis by inhibiting the Rho/ROCK signaling pathway. These results suggest NOB is a promising neuroprotective agent for patients with cerebral ischemia.