Molecular mechanism of Saikosaponin-d in the treatment of gastric cancer based on network pharmacology and in vitro experimental verification

A Direct Relationship Between 'Blood Stasis' and Fibrinaloid Microclots in Chronic, Inflammatory, and Vascular Diseases, and Some Traditional Natural Products Approaches to Treatment

'Blood stasis' (syndrome) (BSS) is a fundamental concept in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), where it is known as Xue Yu (). Similar concepts exist in Traditional Korean Medicine ('Eohyul') and in Japanese Kampo medicine (Oketsu). Blood stasis is considered to underpin a large variety of inflammatory diseases, though an exact equivalent in Western systems medicine is yet to be described. Some time ago we discovered that blood can clot into an anomalous amyloid form, creating what we have referred to as fibrinaloid microclots. These microclots occur in a great many chronic, inflammatory diseases are comparatively resistant to fibrinolysis, and thus have the ability to block microcapillaries and hence lower oxygen transfer to tissues, with multiple pathological consequences. We here develop the idea that it is precisely the fibrinaloid microclots that relate to, and are largely mechanistically responsible for, the traditional concept of blood stasis (a term also used by Virchow). First, the diseases known to be associated with microclots are all associated with blood stasis. Secondly, by blocking red blood cell transport, fibrinaloid microclots provide a simple mechanistic explanation for the physical slowing down ('stasis') of blood flow. Thirdly, Chinese herbal medicine formulae proposed to treat these diseases, especially Xue Fu Zhu Yu and its derivatives, are known mechanistically to be anticoagulatory and anti-inflammatory, consistent with the idea that they are actually helping to lower the levels of fibrinaloid microclots, plausibly in part by blocking catalysis of the polymerization of fibrinogen into an amyloid form. We rehearse some of the known actions of the constituent herbs of Xue Fu Zhu Yu and specific bioactive molecules that they contain. Consequently, such herbal formulations (and some of their components), which are comparatively little known to Western science and medicine, would seem to offer the opportunity to provide novel, safe, and useful treatments for chronic inflammatory diseases that display fibrinaloid microclots, including Myalgic Encephalopathy/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, long COVID, and even ischemic stroke.

Research progress on the molecular mechanisms of Saikosaponin D in various diseases (Review)

Bupleurum, a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) herb, is widely used in China and other Asian countries to manage chronic liver inflammation and viral hepatitis. Saikosaponin D (SSD), a triterpenoid saponin extracted from Bupleurum, exhibits extensive pharmacological properties, including anti‑inflammatory, antioxidant, anti‑apoptotic, anti‑fibrotic and anti‑cancer effects, making it a therapeutic candidate for numerous diseases. Clarifying the targets and molecular mechanisms underlying TCM compounds is essential for scientifically validating TCM's therapeutic roles in disease prevention and treatment, as well as for identifying novel therapeutic targets and lead compounds. This analysis comprehensively examines SSD's mechanisms across various conditions, such as myocardial injury, pulmonary diseases, hepatic disorders, renal pathologies, neurological disorders, diabetes and cancer. In addition, challenges and potential solutions encountered in SSD research are addressed. SSD is posited as a promising monomer for multifaceted therapeutic applications and this article aims to enhance researchers' understanding of the current landscape of SSD studies, offering strategic insights to guide future investigations.

Integrating network pharmacology, molecular docking, and bioinformatics to explore the mechanism of sparganii rhizoma in the treatment of laryngeal cancer

Sparganii Rhizoma (SR) has demonstrated promising anticancer effects across various malignancies; however, its mechanisms in laryngeal cancer (LC) remain poorly understood. This study employs network pharmacology and molecular docking to investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying SR's therapeutic effects on LC, providing novel insights for its potential use in treatment. Active compounds and targets of SR were identified through the TCMSP and Pharmmapper databases, while LC-related targets were sourced from GEO, GeneCards, OMIM, and PharmGkb databases. A Venn diagram generated from these datasets highlighted 58 overlapping targets. The STRING database and Cytoscape 3.9.1 software facilitated the construction of a protein-protein interaction network for these targets, and R language analysis revealed 15 core targets. GO and KEGG enrichment analyses, conducted with the ''clusterProfiler'' package, identified relevant biological processes, cellular components, and molecular functions associated with LC treatment. KEGG analysis suggested SR primarily regulates pathways such as TNF, IL-17, and P53. Molecular docking confirmed SR's ability to bind effectively to the 15 core targets. Molecular dynamics simulations further validated stable protein-ligand interactions for MAPK1, GSK3B, and MAPK14. Core target validation across transcriptional, translational, and immune infiltration levels was performed using GEPIA, HPA, cBioPortal, and TIMER databases. In conclusion, network pharmacology, molecular docking, and dynamics simulations provided insights into SR's mechanism in LC treatment, forming a theoretical basis for further investigation of its therapeutic potential.