Network Pharmacology and Molecular Docking Validation to Explore the Pharmacological Mechanism of Zhuling Decoction against Nephrotic Syndrome
- Authors: Su S.1, Zhang Q.2, Zhang L.3, Chen N.4, Chu Y.3
-
Affiliations:
- Department of Pharmacy, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University,
- Department of Pharmacy, Xuanwu Hospital,, Capital Medical University
- Department of Pharmacy, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University
- Department of Pharmacy, Xuanwu Hospital,, Capital Medical University,
- Issue: Vol 30, No 28 (2024)
- Pages: 2244-2256
- Section: Immunology, Inflammation & Allergy
- URL: https://vestnikugrasu.org/1381-6128/article/view/645870
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.2174/0113816128305808240529115047
- ID: 645870
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Full Text
Abstract
Background:In recent years, the incidence and prevalence of Nephrotic Syndrome (NS) have been increasing. Zhuling decoction (ZLD), a classical Chinese medicine, has been clinically proven to be effective for the treatment of NS. However, its underlying mechanism and pharmacodynamic substances remain unclear.
Objective:This study aimed to explore the mechanism of action and chemical components of ZLD against NS using network pharmacology and molecular docking.
Methods:Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology (TCMSP), Bioinformatics Analysis Tool for Molecular Mechanism of Traditional Chinese Medicines (BATMAN-TCM), and SwissTargetPrediction databases were used to screen the principal ingredients and the associated targets of ZLD. NS-related targets were obtained from the Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM), GeneCards, Therapeutic Target Database (TTD), and Drugbank databases. Shared targets were derived by the intersection of ZLD- and NS-associated targets. Protein-interaction relationships were analyzed using the STRING database and Cytoscape. A visualized drug-active compound-target network of ZLD was established using Cytoscape. Analyses of gene enrichment were performed using Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) methods by the Database for Annotation, Visualization, and Integrated Discovery (DAVID) database. Molecular docking was performed to assess the binding activity between active components and hub targets.
Results:Polyporusterone E, cerevisterol, alisol B, and alisol B 23-acetate were the primary potential ingredients of ZLD. HMGCR, HSD11B1, NOS2, NR3C1, and NR3C2 were the hub targets of ZLD against NS. Molecular docking showed that polyporusterone E, cerevisterol, and alisol B had high binding activities with targets HMGCR, HSD11B1, and NOS2.
Conclusion:In summary, this study suggests that the main active compounds (polyporusterone E, cerevisterol, alisol B) may have important roles for ZLD acting against NS by binding to hub targets (HMGCR, HSD11B1, and NOS2) and modulating PI3K-Akt, Ras, MAPK, and HIF-1 signaling pathways.
About the authors
Su Su
Department of Pharmacy, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University,
Email: info@benthamscience.net
Qingxia Zhang
Department of Pharmacy, Xuanwu Hospital,, Capital Medical University
Email: info@benthamscience.net
Lan Zhang
Department of Pharmacy, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University
Author for correspondence.
Email: info@benthamscience.net
Na Chen
Department of Pharmacy, Xuanwu Hospital,, Capital Medical University,
Email: info@benthamscience.net
Yanqi Chu
Department of Pharmacy, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University
Email: info@benthamscience.net
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