Effect and mechanism of Banxia Xiexin decoction in colorectal cancer: A network pharmacology approach

Dihydromyricetin restores mucus hypersecretion in Air-Liquid interface cultures in COPD by targeting the SRC-MAPK signaling pathway

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a heterogeneous condition characterized by chronic respiratory symptoms due to bronchitis and emphysema, often leading to persistent airflow obstruction. Dihydromyricetin (DHM), a Garcinia cambogia extract, exhibited anti-inflammatory, antitumor, and antioxidant effects without significant toxicity to normal cells in vitro and in vivo. This study aimed to investigate the effect of DHM on mucus hypersecretion in air-liquid interface (ALI) cultures in COPD and to explore the underlying mechanism. Bronchial epithelial cells from five COPD patients and five Non-COPD subjects were collected by bronchoscopy at ALI. ALI cultures from COPD and Non-COPD subjects, as well as airway organoids, were differentiated for 2 weeks subsequently treated with DHM (50 μM) for an additional 2 weeks. The potential molecular mechanisms of DHM were investigated using network pharmacology analysis and molecular docking techniques. DHM reduced mucus hypersecretion and increased cilia number in ALI cultures (Average fold change = 6.52, P = 0.0033; average fold change = 11.56, P = 0.0011) and airway organoids (average fold change = 1.68, P = 0.0096; average fold change = 1.60, P = 0.0130) from COPD patients. Network pharmacology analysis, supported by experimental validation, confirmed that DHM alleviated COPD-related mucus hypersecretion and improved ciliary morphology by binding to SRC and regulating autophagy-related proteins and the MAPK signaling pathway. These findings suggest that DHM could be a potential therapeutic agent for preventing mucus hypersecretion in COPD. This study is the first to combine network pharmacology analysis to investigate the mechanism of DHM in alleviating COPD-associated mucus hypersecretion.

Fusobacterium nucleatum modulates the Wnt/β-catenin pathway in colorectal cancer development

The Wnt/β-catenin signalling pathway normally maintains cellular and tissue homeostasis by regulating cellular differentiation and survival in a controlled manner. An aberrantly regulated Wnt/β-catenin signalling pathway can transform into an oncogenic pathway, which is associated with Colorectal cancer (CRC) as well as other cancers. CRC is one of the most frequently occurring gastrointestinal cancers worldwide. In CRC tissues, deregulation of Wnt/β-catenin pathway is observed, which indicates that this oncogenic pathway directly promotes CRC malignancy, cell migration, angiogenesis, chemoresistance, as well as shorter lifespan of a patient. Growing evidence suggests that human commensal microbes have a strong association with carcinogenesis, particularly the prevalence and high enrichment of Fusobacterium nucleatum in CRC progression. The Wnt/β-catenin pathway is one of the targeted pathways by F. nucleatum in CRC, where Fusobacterium adhesin attaches to E-cadherin to initiate infection. Also, Wnt/β-catenin pathway can be a potential target for the treatment of both CRC and F. nucleatum-positive CRC. Here, we discuss the underlying mechanisms of F. nucleatum-positive CRC development through modulation of Wnt/β-catenin signalling and its possibility for the application in targeted therapy of F. nucleatum-positive CRC.

Advances in bioinformatic methods for the acceleration of the drug discovery from nature

BACKGROUND

Drug discovery from nature has a long, ethnopharmacologically-based background. Today, natural resources are undeniably vital reservoirs of active molecules or drug leads. Advances in (bio)informatics and computational biology emphasized the role of herbal medicines in the drug discovery pipeline.

PURPOSE

This review summarizes bioinformatic approaches applied in recent drug discovery from nature.

STUDY DESIGN

It examines advancements in molecular networking, pathway analysis, network pharmacology within a systems biology framework and AI for assessing the therapeutic potential of herbal preparations.

METHODS

A comprehensive literature search was conducted using Pubmed, SciFinder, and Google Database. Obtained data was analyzed and organized in subsections: AI, systems biology integrative approach, network pharmacology, pathway analysis, molecular networking, structure-based virtual screening.

RESULTS

Bioinformatic approaches is now essential for high-throughput data analysis in drug target identification, mechanism-based drug discovery, drug repurposing and side-effects prediction. Large datasets obtained from "omics" approaches require bioinformatic calculations to unveil interactions, and patterns in disease-relevant conditions. These tools enable databases annotations, pattern-matching, connections discovery, molecular relationship exploration, and data visualisation.

CONCLUSION

Despite the complexity of plant metabolites, bioinformatic approaches assist in characterization of herbal preparations and selection of bioactive molecule. It is perceived as powerful tool for uncovering multi-target effects and potential molecular mechanisms of compounds. By integrating multiple networks that connect gene-disease, drug-target and gene-drug-target, drug discovery from natural sources is experiencing a remarkable comeback.

The traditional Chinese medicine formula Zhihan Anshen Tang (ZHAST) against obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome: network pharmacology and molecular docking approach

Introduction

The current treaments for Obstructive Sleep Apnea Hypopnea (OSAHS) are Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) and lifestyle modifications, which is not suitable for all patients. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has increasingly demonstrated its efficacy and benefits in treating OSAHS. Zhihan Anshen Tang (ZHAST), has been demonstrated its efficacy and clinical metrics for treating OSAHS patients. However, its key ingredients and mechanisms of action are still unknown.

Methods

Using network pharmacology, we investigated the potential mechanisms of ZHAST through which OSAHS.

Results

In addition, the key targets, including TNF, IL6, GAPDH, STAT3, HIF1A, and JUN, are revealed by the topological analysis. According to the findings of the GO enrichment analysis, genes were enriched in inflammatory responses, hypoxia responses, positive regulation of angiogenesis, protein phosphorylation, and regulation of cell proliferation. KEGG pathway enrichment analysis suggests that the signaling pathway of ZHAST in OSAHS are MAPK and AGE-RAGE signaling pathway, especially in diabetic complications. In addition, it is demonstrated that the enoxolone in ZHASTs have high affinity with the relevant targets by molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations.

Disscussion

To my knowledge, this is the first network pharmacological molecular docking study about a Chinese medicine effective against OSA. This investigation integrates molecular docking and network pharmacology to identify the effective compounds, related targets, and potential mechanism of ZHASTs in the treatment of OSAHS, providing the prospect of traditional Chinese medicines with modern medical research.

Investigating the PI3K/AKT/mTOR axis in Buzhong Yiqi Decoction's anti-colorectal cancer activity

Buzhong Yiqi Decoction (BZYQD) is a traditional Chinese medicine renowned for its anti-colorectal cancer (CRC) properties. However, the bioactive components and mechanisms of BZYQD against CRC remain unknown. In this study, LC-MS was used to analyze the chemical composition of BZYQD. Next, the network pharmacology and molecular docking was used to investigate the core components and targets of BZYQD against CRC. Finally, we experimentally validated the potential mechanism of BZYQD against CRC through in vitro studies. Our results identified 26 chemical components in the BZYQD; 75 "hithubs" targets were screened by network pharmacology, and mainly involving pathways such as including pathways in cancer, P13K-Akt signaling pathway, proteoglycans in cancer, kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus, and lipid and atherosclerosis signaling pathways. Based on the number of "hithubs" targets in the key pathways, the two most critical targets including AKT1 and PIK3CA were selected. The component-target network results indicated that astragaloside IV, gancaonin A, quercetin, poricoic acid A, and licoisoflavanone are key anti-CRC components in BZYQD. Molecular docking showed a strong binding affinity between these components and targets. The phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT) signaling pathway emerged as the primary target of BZYQD. Further in vitro studies confirmed that BZYQD's anti-CRC activity is mediated through the PI3K/AKT/mTOR axis and influences macrophage polarization. BZYQD exerts its therapeutic effects on CRC through multiple components, targets, and pathways. Our study elucidates the effective components and molecular mechanisms of BZYQD in CRC treatment and provides preliminary validation through molecular docking and experimental studies.

Harnessing multi-omics approaches to elucidate the role of Chinese herbal compounds in chemotherapy-induced gastrointestinal damage

In this editorial, we discuss the findings reported by Wang et al in the latest issue of the World Journal of Gastrointestinal Oncology. Various research methodologies, including microbiome analysis, assert that the Tzu-Chi Cancer-Antagonizing and Life-Protecting II Decoction of Chinese herbal compounds mitigates inflammatory responses by inhibiting the NF-κB signaling pathway. This action helps maintain the dynamic equilibrium of the intestinal microecology and lessens chemotherapy-induced gastrointestinal damage. The efficacy of these compounds is intimately linked to the composition of intestinal microbes. These compounds regulate intestinal microecology by virtue of their specific compatibility and effectiveness, thereby enhancing the overall therapeutic outcomes of cancer chemotherapy. Nonetheless, the exact mechanisms underlying these effects warrant further investigation. Multi-omics technologies offer a systematic approach to elucidate the mechanisms and effectiveness of Chinese herbal compounds in vivo. This manuscript reviews the application of multi-omics technologies to Chinese herbal compounds and explores their potential role in modulating the gastrointestinal microenvironment following cancer chemotherapy, thus providing a theoretical foundation for their continued use in adjunct cancer treatment.

Network pharmacology: Changes the treatment mode of "one disease-one target" in cancer treatment

The article concluded that network pharmacology provides new ideas and insights into the molecular mechanism of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) treatment of cancer. TCM is a new choice and hot spot in the field of cancer treatment. We have also previously published studies on TCM and network pharmacology. In this letter, we summarize the new paradigm of network pharmacology in cancer treatment mechanisms.

The role of ferroptosis in colorectal cancer and its potential synergy with immunotherapy

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most prevalent and deadly malignancies worldwide. Recently, ferroptosis, a novel form of regulated cell death characterized by iron dependency and lipid peroxidation, has garnered significant attention from researchers. The mechanisms underlying ferroptosis, including intracellular iron levels, lipid peroxidation, and antioxidant system regulation, offer new insights into cancer treatment strategies. This study aims to explore the emerging role of ferroptosis in the context of immunotherapy for CRC, highlighting its potential mechanisms and clinical applications. We employed a comprehensive review of current literature to elucidate the biological mechanisms of ferroptosis, its relationship with CRC, and the interplay between ferroptosis and immunotherapy. Ferroptosis reshapes the tumor microenvironment (TME) by regulating intracellular iron levels, lipid metabolism, and antioxidant systems, significantly enhancing the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). Meanwhile, traditional Chinese medicine therapies promote antitumor immunity by modulating the TME and inducing ferroptosis. Additionally, advances in nanotechnology have facilitated precise therapy by enabling targeted delivery of ferroptosis inducers or immunomodulators, transforming "cold" tumors into "hot" tumors and further boosting ICI efficacy. This study comprehensively reviews the latest developments in ferroptosis, immunotherapy, traditional Chinese medicine, and nanotechnology in CRC, highlighting the importance of ferroptosis-related biomarkers and novel inducers for personalized treatment. In summary, ferroptosis offers a promising strategy to overcome CRC therapy resistance and enhance immunotherapy efficacy, warranting further investigation and translational application.

Chinese herbal medicine for the treatment of intestinal cancer: preclinical studies and potential clinical applications

Intestinal cancer (IC) poses a significant global health challenge that drives continuous efforts to explore effective treatment modalities. Conventional treatments for IC are effective, but are associated with several limitations and drawbacks. Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) plays an important role in the overall cancer prevention and therapeutic strategies. Recent years have seen a growing body of research focus on the potential of CHM in IC treatment, showing promising results in managing IC and mitigating the adverse effects of radiotherapy and chemotherapy. This review provides updated information from preclinical research and clinical observation on CHM's role in treatment of IC, offering insights into its comprehensive management and guiding future prevention strategies and clinical practice.

Network pharmacology and experimental verification study on the mechanism of Hedyotis diffusa Willd in treating colorectal cancer

This study aimed to evaluate the pharmacological mechanism of Hedyotis diffusa Willd against CRC (colorectal cancer) using network pharmacological analysis combined with experimental validation. The active components and potential targets of Hedyotis diffusa Willd were screened from the tax compliance management program public database using network pharmacology. The core anti-CRC targets were screened using a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network. The mRNA and protein expression of core target genes in normal colon and CRC tissues and their relationship with overall CRC survival were evaluated using The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), Human Protein Atlas (HPA), and Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis (GEPIA) databases. Functional and pathway enrichment analyses of the potential targets were performed using Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG). The first six core targets with stable binding were molecular-docked with the active components quercetin and β-sitosterol. Finally, the results of network pharmacology were verified using in vitro experiments. In total, 149 potential targets were identified by searching for seven types of active components and the intersection of all potential and CRC targets. PPI network analysis showed that ten target genes, including tumor protein p53 (TP53) and recombinant cyclin D1 (CCND1), were pivotal genes. GO enrichment analysis involved 2043 biological processes, 52 cellular components, and 191 molecular functions. KEGG enrichment analysis indicated that the anticancer effects of H. alba were mediated by tumor necrosis factor, interleukin-17, and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling pathways. Validation of key targets showed that the validation results for most core genes were consistent with those in this study. Molecular docking revealed that the ten core target proteins could be well combined with quercetin and β-sitosterol and the structure remained stable after binding. The results of the in vitro experiment showed that β-sitosterol inhibited proliferation and induced apoptosis in SW620 cells. This study identified a potential target plant for CRC through network pharmacology and in vitro validation.

Exploring the mechanism of Corbrin capsules in the intervention of AKI-COVID-19 based on network pharmacology combined with GEO dataset

AIM

of the study: This study used network pharmacology and the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database to investigate the therapeutic effects of Corbrin capsules on acute kidney injury (AKI)-COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The active constituents and specific molecular targets of Corbrin capsules were obtained from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology (TCMSP) and Swiss Target Prediction databases. The targets related to AKI and COVID-19 disease were obtained from the Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM), GeneCards, and GEO databases. A protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed by utilizing Cytoscape. To enhance the analysis of pathways associated with the pathogenesis of AKI-COVID-19, Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analyses were performed. Furthermore, immune infiltration analysis was performed by using single-sample gene set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA) and CIBERSORT. Molecular docking was used to assess interactions between differentially expressed genes and active ingredients. Verification was performed by utilizing GEO databases and in vivo assays.

RESULTS

This study revealed an overlap of 18 significantly differentially expressed genes between the Corbrin capsules group and the AKI-COVID-19 target group. Analysis of the PPI network identified TP53, JAK2, PIK3CA, PTGS2, KEAP1, and MCL1 as the top six core protein targets with the highest degrees. The results obtained from GO and KEGG analyses demonstrated that the target genes were primarily enriched in the apoptosis and JAK-STAT signaling pathways. Moreover, the analysis of immune infiltration revealed a notable disparity in the percentage of quiescent memory CD4 + T cells. Western blot analyses provided compelling evidence suggesting that the dysregulation of 6 core protein targets could be effectively reversed by Corbrin capsules.

CONCLUSION

This study revealed the key components, targets, and pathways involved in treating AKI-related COVID-19 using Corbrin capsules. This study also provided a new understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying this treatment.

Evaluating the clinical application and effect of acupuncture therapy in anal function rehabilitation after low-tension rectal cancer surgery

BACKGROUND

According to the indexes of serum and anal function, acupuncture therapy was applied to patients with low rectal cancer in order to avoid the occurrence of anal incontinence and reduce complications.

AIM

To explore the clinical application and evaluate the effect of acupuncture therapy for anal function rehabilitation after low-tension rectal cancer surgery.

METHODS

From the anorectal surgery cases, we selected 120 patients who underwent colorectal cancer surgery between January 2020 and December 2022 and randomly divided them into a control group (n = 60), observation group (n = 60), and control group after surgery for lifestyle intervention (including smoking cessation and exercise), dietary factor adjustment, anal movement, and oral loperamide treatment. The serum levels of motilin, 5-hydroxytryptamine, and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), Wexner score for anal incontinence, and incidence of complications were compared between groups.

RESULTS

After treatment, the VIP and 5-hydroxytryptamine levels in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (P < 0.05). The motilin level was higher than that in the control group (P < 0.05). Postoperative anal incontinence was better in the observation group than in the control group (P < 0.05). The incidence of complications in the observation group was 6.67%, which was significantly lower than that in the control group (21.67%; P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Acupuncture therapy has a positive effect on the rehabilitation of anal function after low-tension rectal cancer surgery; it can effectively help to improve the serum indices of patients, avoid the occurrence of anal incontinence, and reduce the incidence of complications. Popularizing and applying it will be valuable.

Several major herb pairs containing Coptidis rhizoma: a review of key traditional uses, constituents and compatibility effects

Herb compatibility is the soul of traditional Chinese Medicine prescriptions. Coptidis rhizoma (CR) (Coptis chinensis Franch., Coptis deltoidea C.Y.Cheng et Hsiao, or Coptis teeta Wall.; family Ranunculaceae), is a well-known herb. The bitter and cold nature of CR can irritate the spleen and stomach, and certain ingredients in CR may trigger allergic reactions. Herb combinations can help alleviate the side effects caused by CR. Through data analysis and literature research, there are many herbs combined with CR have a high frequency, but only a few are currently used as formulae in clinical practice. The results showed that these six herb pairs are usually widely studied or used as prescriptions in the clinic. This paper describes the six herb pairs from the key traditional uses, changes in bioactive constituents, and compatibility effects, especially with Euodiae fructus (family Rutaceae), Scutellariae radix (family Lamiaceae), Magnoliae Officinalis cortex (family Magnoliaceae), Glycyrrhizae radix et rhizoma (family Fabaceae), Ginseng radix et rhizoma (family Araliaceae), and Aucklandiae radix (family Asteraceae), and found that herbs are more effective when used in combination. Therefore, it is feasible to establish some methods to study herb pairs comprehensively from different perspectives. This paper aims to provide the latest and most comprehensive information on the six herb pairs and summarize the pattern of CR compatibility effects. It aims to attract more attention, and further experimental studies will be conducted to investigate and evaluate the effects of herb pairs containing CR. These data can also provide valuable references for researchers and also provide more possibilities for future applications in clinical practice and new drug development.

Treatment of colorectal cancer by traditional Chinese medicine: prevention and treatment mechanisms

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a significant global health burden, with high morbidity and mortality rates. It is often diagnosed at middle to advanced stage, affecting approximately 35% of patients at the time of diagnosis. Currently, chemotherapy has been used to improve patient prognosis and increase overall survival. However, chemotherapy can also have cytotoxic effects and lead to adverse reactions, such as inhibiting bone marrow hematopoiesis, causing digestive dysfunction, hand-foot syndrome, and even life-threatening conditions. In response to these adverse effects, researchers have proposed using Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) as an option to treat cancer. TCM research focuses on prescriptions, herbs, and components, which form essential components of the current research in Chinese medicine. The study and implementation of TCM prescriptions and herbs demonstrate its distinctive holistic approach to therapy, characterized by applying multi-component and multi-target treatment. TMC components have advantages in developing new drugs as they consist of single ingredients, require smaller medication dosages, have a precise measure of pharmacodynamic effects, and have a clear mechanism of action compared to TCM prescriptions and herbs. However, further research is still needed to determine whether TMC components can fully substitute the therapeutic efficacy of TCM prescriptions. This paper presents a comprehensive analysis of the research advancements made in TCM prescriptions, herbs, and components. The findings of this study can serve as a theoretical basis for researchers who are interested in exploring the potential of TCM for the treatment of colorectal cancer.

Regulation of ferroptosis by PI3K/Akt signaling pathway: a promising therapeutic axis in cancer

The global challenge posed by cancer, marked by rising incidence and mortality rates, underscores the urgency for innovative therapeutic approaches. The PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, frequently amplified in various cancers, is central in regulating essential cellular processes. Its dysregulation, often stemming from genetic mutations, significantly contributes to cancer initiation, progression, and resistance to therapy. Concurrently, ferroptosis, a recently discovered form of regulated cell death characterized by iron-dependent processes and lipid reactive oxygen species buildup, holds implications for diseases, including cancer. Exploring the interplay between the dysregulated PI3K/Akt pathway and ferroptosis unveils potential insights into the molecular mechanisms driving or inhibiting ferroptotic processes in cancer cells. Evidence suggests that inhibiting the PI3K/Akt pathway may sensitize cancer cells to ferroptosis induction, offering a promising strategy to overcome drug resistance. This review aims to provide a comprehensive exploration of this interplay, shedding light on the potential for disrupting the PI3K/Akt pathway to enhance ferroptosis as an alternative route for inducing cell death and improving cancer treatment outcomes.

Targeting ferroptosis unveils a new era for traditional Chinese medicine: a scientific metrology study

In the past 11 years, there has been a surge in studies exploring the regulatory effect of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) on ferroptosis. However, a significant gap persists in comprehensive scientometric analysis and scientific mapping research, especially in tracking the evolution, primary contributors, and emerging research focal points. This study aims to comprehensively update the advancements in targeting ferroptosis with various TCMs during the previous 11 years. The data, covering the period from 1 January 2012, to 30 November 2023, were retrieved from the Web of Science database. For in-depth scientometric and visualized analyses, a series of advanced analytical instruments were employed. The findings highlight China's predominant role, accounting for 71.99% of total publications and significantly shaping research in this domain. Noteworthy productivity was observed at various institutions, including Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, and Zhejiang University. Thomas Efferth emerged as the foremost author within this field, while Frontiers in Pharmacology boasted the highest publication count. This study pinpointed hepatocellular carcinoma, chemical and drug-induced liver injury, mitochondrial diseases, acute kidney injury, and liver failure as the most critical disorders addressed in this research realm. The research offers a comprehensive bibliometric evaluation, enhancing our understanding of the present status of TCM therapy in managing ferroptosis-related diseases. Consequently, it aids both seasoned researchers and newcomers by accelerating access to vital information and fostering innovative concept extraction within this specialized field.