Exploration in the mechanism of fucosterol for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer based on network pharmacology and molecular docking

Combining network pharmacology and transcriptomics to validate and explore the efficacy and mechanism of Huayu Wan in treating non-small cell lung cancer

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Huayu Wan (HYW), a traditional Chinese medicine prescription widely used in the clinical treatment of advanced lung cancer, has been clinically proven to effectively inhibit the progression of pulmonary tumors and improve patients' quality of life. However, its specific components and potential anti-cancer molecular mechanisms remain unclear.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To explore the active ingredients of HYW and predict its effective targets and pathways against non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) using a combination of network pharmacology and transcriptomics. These predictions were subsequently validated through in vitro and in vivo experiments, providing a theoretical basis for its anti-cancer mechanism.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We first established a LEWIS tumor-bearing mouse model to evaluate the dose-response relationship and inhibitory effect of HYW in NSCLC. Using Ultra-High Performance Liquid Chromatography-Quadrupole-Orbitrap-High Resolution Mass Spectrometry (UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap-HRMS), we comprehensively explored the material basis of HYW's therapeutic effect on lung cancer. Combining network pharmacology and transcriptomics, we further verified the potential molecular targets and pathways of HYW. Finally, in vitro and in vivo molecular biological experiments were conducted to validate the predicted results.

RESULTS

HYW exhibited a dose-dependent tumor inhibitory effect in the LEWIS tumor-bearing mouse model. Comprehensive qualitative analysis of the chemical components of HYW through UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap HRMS identified 39 major active ingredients, including geniposide, quercetin, taurine, and paeoniflorin. The constructed HYW active compound-NSCLC target network revealed 48 core targets, which may play a critical role in HYW's anti-NSCLC therapeutic effects. Combining transcriptomic data from mouse tumor tissues, four core targets-Pik3ca, Akt1, Pdk1, and VEGFA-were identified, along with the key signaling pathway PI3K/AKT/VEGFA. Immunofluorescence results indicated that HYW dose-dependently inhibited the positive expression of Ki67 in mouse tumor tissues. In vitro experiments showed that HYW significantly suppressed the proliferation, migration, and invasion abilities of H1299 and A549 cells. qRT-PCR and Western blot analyses demonstrated that HYW treatment downregulated the expression of Pik3ca, Akt1, Pdk1, and VEGFA, and inhibited the protein expression levels of p-PI3K/PI3K, p-AKT/AKT, and VEGFA.

CONCLUSION

HYW effectively inhibits the malignant proliferation of NSCLC cells. The mechanism of its anti-cancer effects is likely mediated by the suppression of the PI3K/AKT/VEGFA signaling pathway. This finding provides new molecular insights into the potential therapeutic application of HYW in the treatment of lung cancer.

Anticancer Activities of Natural and Synthetic Steroids: A Review

Steroids have demonstrated a wide field of research on the subject of anticancer compounds, particularly antiproliferative with cell lines, with special emphasis on the historical link between steroids and cancer and the use of in silico technologies to understand the impact of natural and synthetic steroids on cancer cells focused on finding common denominators of the type of structural changes that give antiproliferative and/or cytotoxic properties, both in control and cancer cell lines. Through this review and classification by origin and/or synthesis, it is found that steroidal saponins are highly cytotoxic, although with low selectivity against control cells, while on the part of the aglycone the presence of heteroatoms such as nitrogen and oxygen increases the antiproliferative activity, mainly via cell cycle arrest and the induction of apoptosis, mechanisms that have been partially proven, using semisynthetic derivatives, as well as bioconjugates between saponins and nitrogenous steroids with now a high cytotoxicity and selectivity against control cell lines. This gives rise to the idea that steroids as a study model for the design of anticancer agents are an excellent template with a wide field of study.

Molecular mechanisms of phytoconstituents from selected Egyptian plants against non-small cell lung cancer using integrated in vitro network pharmacology and molecular docking approach

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a widespread highly malignant type of lung cancer. Conventional chemotherapeutic drugs may be accompanied by both drug resistance and serious side effects in patients. Therefore, safer and more effective medications are urgently needed for the treatment of NSCLC. This study investigates the mode of action of 21 phytoconstituents previously isolated from the Amaryllidaceous plants Crinum bulbispermum (Burm.f.), Pancratium maritimum L., and Hippeastrum vittatum Herbert alongside the Asteraceous plant Centaurea scoparia Sieb. for therapy of NSCLC via in vitro cytotoxic, network pharmacology, and molecular docking analyses. Despite the in vitro and in vivo cytotoxic studies carried out on phytoconstituents from these plants in treating numerous cancer types, scarce information documenting their cytotoxic activity towards NSCLC cells is available. First, the compounds were tested for their in vitro cytotoxic activities and selectivity on human non-small cell lung cancer cells using disk diffusion assay. Compounds having significant potencies were promoted for network pharmacology analysis. Pharm mapper, Genecards, STRING, and KEGG databases were utilized for surfing target genes and pathways for these compounds, while for construction of compound-target-pathway (C-T-P) network, Cytoscape 3.7.1. freeware was used. Molecular docking and dynamics simulation were run for the top hit constituents against the most enriched molecular targets followed by in silico ADMET studies using Schrodinger® suite and Gromacs. In vitro cytotoxicity testing demonstrated that crinamine was the most potent compound followed by lycorine, hemanthidine, and haemanthamine. The network pharmacology approach revealed the enrichment of acetyllycoramine, pluviine, 5-hydroxy-7-methoxy-2-methylchromone, and ismine. Whereas, androgen receptor (AR), epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), and estrogen-sensitive receptor alpha (ESR1) were the most enriched target genes. Pathway analysis revealed that central carbon metabolism, EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor endocrine resistance, and non-small cell lung cancer were the most enriched cancer-related pathways. Ismine possessed the most stable ligand-protein interactions when docked to the three proteins, with MD simulations further confirming its strong and consistent binding to AR, moderate stability with ESR-1, and lower stability with EGFR over the 100 ns trajectory. ADMET study conducted on the above compounds confirmed their excellent drug-likeness properties, oral bioavailability, and safety profiles highlighting the need for some structural modifications to pluviine to enhance its oral bioavailability. These integrated approaches showed that some constituents from the investigated plants interact synergistically against non-small cell lung cancer-related genes and pathways.

Valencene as a novel potential downregulator of THRB in NSCLC: network pharmacology, molecular docking, molecular dynamics simulation, ADMET analysis, and in vitro analysis

This study investigates the molecular targets and pathways affected by valencene in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) through network pharmacology and in vitro assays. Valencene's chemical structure was sourced from PubChem, and target identification utilized the PharmMapper database, cross-referenced with UniProtKB for official gene symbols. NSCLC-associated targets were identified via GeneCards, followed by protein-protein interaction analysis using STRING. Molecular docking studies employed AutoDock Vina to assess binding interactions with key nuclear receptors (RXRA, RXRB, RARA, RARB, THRB). Molecular dynamics simulations were conducted in GROMACS over 200 ns, while ADME/T properties were evaluated using Protox. In vitro assays measured cell viability in A549 and HEL 299 cells via MTT assays, assessed apoptosis through Hoechst staining, and evaluated mitochondrial potential with JC-1. Molecular docking revealed strong binding affinities of valencene (below - 5 kcal/mol) to nuclear receptors, outperforming 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). Molecular dynamics simulations indicated robust structural stability of the THRB-valencene complex, with favorable interaction energies. Notably, valencene exhibited a selectivity index of 2.293, higher than 5-FU's 2.231, suggesting enhanced safety for normal cells (HEL 299). Fluorescence microscopy confirmed dose-dependent DNA fragmentation and decreased mitochondrial membrane potential. These findings underscore valencene's potential as an effective therapeutic agent for lung cancer, demonstrating an IC50 of 16.71 μg/ml in A549 cells compared to 5-FU's 12.7 μg/ml, warranting further investigation in preclinical models and eventual clinical trials.

Long-term hybrid stability and matrix metalloproteinase inhibition by fucosterol in resin-dentin bonding biomechanics

Fucosterols have been widely studied for their antioxidant, anticancer, and anti-inflammatory properties. However, they have not yet been studied in the field of dentistry. This study aimed to determine whether pretreatment of dentin with fucosterol before resin restoration enhances bond stability in resin-dentin hybrid layers. After applying 0.1, 0.5, and 1.0 wt% fucosterol to demineralized dentin, microtensile bond strength (MTBS) and nanoleakage tests were performed before and after collagenase aging, and the surface was observed using scanning electron microscope (SEM). The fucosterol-treated group showed better bond strength and less nanoleakage both before and after collagenase aging, and the corresponding structures were confirmed using SEM. MMP zymography confirmed that the activity of MMPs was relatively low along the concentration gradient of fucosterol, and the FTIR analysis confirmed the production of collagen crosslinks. In addition, fucosterol exhibits cytotoxicity against Streptococcus mutans, the main cause of dental decay. The results of this study suggest that fucosterol pretreatment improves bond strength and reduces nanoleakage at the resin-dentin interface, possibly through a mechanism involving collagen cross-link formation via the inhibition of endogenous and exogenous MMP activity. This study demonstrates the potential of fucosterol as an MMP inhibitor in dentin, which contributes to long-term resin-dentin bond stability and can be used as a restorative material.

Network pharmacology and in silico approaches to uncover multitargeted mechanism of action of Zingiber zerumbet rhizomes for the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

Background

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a disease with high mortality, and there are only two specific drugs available for therapeutic management with limitations. The study aims to identify comprehensive therapeutic mechanisms of Zingiber zerumbet rhizomes (ZZR) to treat IPF by using network pharmacology followed battery of in silico studies.

Methods

The protein-protein interaction network was developed using Cytoscape to obtain core disease targets involved in IPF and their interactive molecules of ZZR. Based on the pharmacophore properties of phytomolecules from ZZR, the drug targets in IPF were explored. Protein-protein interaction network was built in Cytoscape to screen potential targets and components of ZZR. Molecular docking and dynamics were conducted as an empirical study to investigate the mechanism explored through network pharmacology in relation to the hub targets.

Results

The network analysis conferred kaempferol derivatives that had demonstrated a promising therapeutic effect on the perturbed, robust network hubs of TGF-β1, EGFR, TNF-α, MMP2 & MMP9 reported to alter the biological process of mesenchymal transition, myofibroblast proliferation, and cellular matrix deposition in pulmonary fibrosis. The phytomolecules of ZZR act on two major significant pathways, namely the TGF-β-signaling pathway and the FOXO-signaling pathway, to inhibit IPF. Confirmational molecular docking and dynamics simulation studies possessed good stability and interactions of the protein-ligand complexes by RMSD, RMSF, rGyr, SASA, and principal component analysis (PCA). Validated molecular docking and dynamics simulations provided new insight into exploring the mechanism and multi-target effect of ZZR to treat pulmonary fibrosis by restoring the alveolar phenotype through cellular networking.

Conclusions

Network pharmacology and in silico studies confirm the multitargeted activity of ZZR in the treatment of IPF. Further in vitro and in vivo studies are to be conducted to validate these findings.

TCMNPAS: a comprehensive analysis platform integrating network formulaology and network pharmacology for exploring traditional Chinese medicine

The application of network formulaology and network pharmacology has significantly advanced the scientific understanding of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) treatment mechanisms in disease. The field of herbal biology is experiencing a surge in data generation. However, researchers are encountering challenges due to the fragmented nature of the data and the reliance on programming tools for data analysis. We have developed TCMNPAS, a comprehensive analysis platform that integrates network formularology and network pharmacology. This platform is designed to investigate in-depth the compatibility characteristics of TCM formulas and their potential molecular mechanisms. TCMNPAS incorporates multiple resources and offers a range of functions designed for automated analysis implementation, including prescription mining, molecular docking, network pharmacology analysis, and visualization. These functions enable researchers to analyze and obtain core herbs and core formulas from herbal prescription data through prescription mining. Additionally, TCMNPAS facilitates virtual screening of active compounds in TCM and its formulas through batch molecular docking, allowing for the rapid construction and analysis of networks associated with "herb-compound-target-pathway" and disease targets. Built upon the integrated analysis concept of network formulaology and network pharmacology, TCMNPAS enables quick point-and-click completion of network-based association analysis, spanning from core formula mining from clinical data to the exploration of therapeutic targets for disease treatment. TCMNPAS serves as a powerful platform for uncovering the combinatorial rules and mechanism of TCM formulas holistically. We distribute TCMNPAS within an open-source R package at GitHub ( https://github.com/yangpluszhu/tcmnpas ), and the project is freely available at http://54.223.75.62:3838/ .

Network pharmacology integrated molecular docking of fucoidan against oral cancer and in vitro evaluation- A study using GEO datasets

Oral cancer is a widespread health concern in rural India due to a lack of awareness, delayed diagnosis and limited access to affordable treatment options. The current chemotherapy has notable side effects, underscoring the need for new drug candidates with improved bioavailability and specificity. In this current research, fucoidan, a sulphated polysaccharide, was extracted from the brown algae Spatoglossum asperum, and shown to be cytotoxic in vitro against oral cancer cells (KB cell line) at an IC50 of 107.76 µg/ml, suggesting its potential as a drug candidate. This study further aimed to explore the potential therapeutic implications of fucoidan in managing oral cancer using network pharmacology. PharmMapper, Comparative Toxicogenomics Database and SuperPred were initially used to identify fucoidan protein targets. The identified targets were further screened against Gene Expression Omnibus (GSE23558, GSE25099 and GSE146483), OMIM, TCGA and GeneCards datasets to identify oral cancer-specific protein targets. The interactions between the selected proteins were visualised using STRING and Cytoscape. Subsequently, Database for Annotation, Visualization and Integrated Discovery was used for gene ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment analysis of candidate targets. The cancer-related network was assessed using CancerGeneNet, while life expectancy based on the expression of the top 10 CytoHubba ranked hub genes was evaluated using Kaplan-Meier plots. Finally, EGFR, AKT1, HSP90AA1 and SRC were selected for docking and molecular dynamics simulation with fucoidan, using Maestro and GROMACS, respectively.

The critical role of the phytosterols in modulating tumor microenvironment via multiple signaling: A comprehensive molecular approach

Cancer is the leading cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide, and its cases are rapidly increasing every year. Several factors contribute to the development of tumorigenesis. including radiation, dietary lifestyle, smoking, environmental, and genetic factors. The cell cycle is regulated by a variety of molecular signaling proteins. However, when the proteins involved in the cell cycle regulation are altered, cellular growth and proliferation are significantly affected. Natural products provide an important source of new drug development for a variety of ailments. including cancer. Phytosterols (PSs) are an important class of natural compounds reported for numerous pharmacological activities, including cancer. Various PSs, such as ergosterol, stigmasterol, sitosterol, withaferin A, etc., have been reported for their anti-cancer activities against a variety of cancer by modulating the tumor microenvironment via molecular signaling pathways discussed within the article. These signaling pathways are associated with the production of pro-inflammatory mediators, growth factors, chemokines, and pro-apoptotic and anti-apoptotic genes. These mediators and their upstream signaling are very active within the variety of tumors and by modulating these signalings, thus PS exhibits promising anti-cancer activities. However, further high-quality studies are needed to firmly establish the clinical efficacy as well the safety of the phytosterols.

Network pharmacology combined with molecular docking to explore the anti-osteoporosis mechanisms of β-ecdysone derived from medicinal plants

β-Ecdysone is a phytosteroid derived from multifarious medicinal plants, such as Achyranthes root (Achyranthes bidentata) and Tinospora cordifolia, possessing the potential anti-osteoporosis effect. However, the underlying mechanisms for β-ecdysone treating osteoporosis remain unclear. This study aims to explore the molecular mechanisms of β-ecdysone against osteoporosis by network pharmacology and molecular docking. First, the potential targets of β-ecdysone and osteoporosis were predicted by public databases. Protein interaction and functional enrichment analyses of potential targets were performed using the STRING and Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway databases. Finally, hub targets were identified from network pharmacology, and their interaction with β-ecdysone was validated by molecular docking. Results showed that 47 potential targets were related to the mechanisms of β-ecdysone treating osteoporosis. Enrichment analyses revealed that the potential targets were mainly associated with steroid biosynthetic and metabolic processes, as well as HIF-1 and estrogen signaling pathways. By protein–protein interaction network analysis, top 10 hub targets were screened, including TNF, ALB, SRC, STAT3, MAPK3, ESR1, PPARG, CASP3, TLR4, and NR3C1. Molecular docking showed that β-ecdysone had good affinity with TLR4, TNF, and ESR1. Therefore, β-ecdysone might exert therapeutic effect on osteoporosis development via targeting TLR4, TNF, and ESR1 and regulating HIF-1 and estrogen pathways.

Integrating network pharmacology and transcriptomic validation to investigate the efficacy and mechanism of Mufangji decoction preventing lung cancer

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Mufangji decoction (MFJD), a famous traditional Chinese medicine formula in Synopsis of Golden Chamber (Jingui yaolue), has been utilized to treat cough and asthma and release chest pain over 2000 years in China. Chinese old herbalist doctor use MFJD to treat lung cancer and cancerous pleural fluid, but the preventive effect of MFJD on lung cancer and the underlying mechanism are indefinite.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The goal of this study is to explore the efficacy and mechanism of Mufangji decoction preventing lung cancer referring to the traditional use.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Tumor allograft experiment and host versus tumor experiment were used to observe the direct anti-tumor effect and indirect anti-tumor immune effect, the mouse lung carcinogenic model was used to evaluate the dose-response and the preventive effect of MFJD on lung cancer. The active ingredients of MFJD were obtained by UPLC-MS/MS. The potential targets of MFJD were screened by network pharmacology and transcriptomics. The therapeutic targets and pathways of MFJD on lung cancer were obtained by protein-protein interaction, molecular docking and David database. The predicted results were verified in vitro and in vivo.

RESULTS

MFJD could significantly prevent tumor growth in host versus tumor experiment but could not in tumor allograft experiment, indicating an anti-tumor immune effect against lung cancer. MFJD could reduce lung nodules with a dose-response in mouse lung carcinogenic model. Myeloperoxidase (MPO) was selected as the core target due to the highest degree value in Protein-Protein interaction network and had potently binding activity to sinomenine and dehydrocostus lactone in molecular docking. In vivo, MPO-expressed neutrophils are negatively correlated with lung cancer progression and MFJD could promote the neutrophil-related immune surveillance. In vitro, sinomenine and dehydrocostus lactone could promote neutrophil phagocytosis, MPO and ROS production in a dose dependent manner. The major compounds from MFJD were identified to regulate 36 targets for lung cancer prevention by UPLC-MS/MS, network pharmacology and transcriptomics. David database exhibited that MFJD plays an important role in immunoregulation by modulating 4 immune-related biological processes and 3 immune-related pathways.

CONCLUSIONS

MFJD prevents lung cancer by mainly promoting MPO expression to maintain neutrophil immune surveillance, its key compounds are sinomenine and dehydrocostus lactone.

Molecular mechanism of Rhubarb in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer based on network pharmacology and molecular docking technology

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is one of the leading causes of death in the world. Rhubarb, a traditional Chinese medicine, has been widely used in the treatment of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. This study aimed to investigate the possible mechanism of the rhubarb herb in the treatment of NSCLC by means of network pharmacology and molecular docking and to provide a theoretical basis for experiments and clinical application of traditional Chinese medicine for treating lung cancer. The main active chemical components and targets of rhubarb were screened through Swiss Target Prediction, TargetNet, and Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology (TCMSP) database. The protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was built via an in-depth exploration of the relationships between the proteins. The enrichment analyses of Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) were applied to predict the potential roles in the pathogenesis of NSCLC via the R package cluster Profiler. Potential targets and active ingredients associated with anti-tumor effects of rhubarb were screened by reverse molecular docking. By searching databases and literature, a total of 295 targets were found for the 21 active ingredients in rhubarb. There were 68 common target genes associated with NSCLC, of which 9 are derived from FDA-approved drugs. GO Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) explored up to 1103 biological processes, 62 molecular functions, and 18 cellular components. KEGG GSEA explored 65 basic pathways, and 71 disease pathways. Four key targets (JUN, EGFR, BCL2, and JAK2) were screened through the protein-protein interaction network, target-pathway network, and FDA drug-target network. Molecular docking results showed that these key targets had relatively strong binding activities with rhubarb's active ingredients. The present study explored the potential pharmacological mechanisms of rhubarb on NSCLC, promoting the clinical application of rhubarb in treating NSCLC, and providing references for advanced research.

Prediction of the Mechanism of Sodium Butyrate against Radiation-Induced Lung Injury in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Based on Network Pharmacology and Molecular Dynamic Simulations and Molecular Dynamic Simulations

Background

Radiation-induced lung injury (RILI) is a severe side effect of radiotherapy for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) ,and one of the major hindrances to improve the efficacy of radiotherapy. Previous studies have confirmed that sodium butyrate (NaB) has potential of anti-radiation toxicity. However, the mechanism of the protective effect of NaB against RILI has not yet been clarified. This study aimed to explore the underlying protective mechanisms of NaB against RILI in NSCLC through network pharmacology, molecular docking, molecular dynamic simulations and in vivo experiments.

Methods

The predictive target genes of NaB were obtained from the PharmMapper database and the literature review. The involved genes of RILI and NSCLC were predicted using OMIM and GeneCards database. The intersectional genes of drug and disease were identified using the Venny tool and uploaded to the Cytoscape software to identify 5 core target genes of NaB associated with RILI. The correlations between the 5 core target genes and EGFR, PD-L1, immune infiltrates, chemokines and chemokine receptors were analyzed using TIMER 2.0, TIMER and TISIDB databases. We constructed the mechanism maps of the 3 key signaling pathways using the KEGG database based on the results of GO and KEGG analyses from Metascape database. The 5 core target genes and drug were docked using the AutoDock Vina tool and visualized using PyMOL software. GROMACS software was used to perform 100 ns molecular dynamics simulation. Irradiation-induced lung injury model in mice were established to assess the therapeutic effects of NaB.

Results

A total of 51 intersectional genes involved in NaB against RILI in NSCLC were identified. The 5 core target genes were AKT1, TP53, NOTCH1, SIRT1, and PTEN. The expressions of the 5 core target genes were significantly associated with EGFR, PD-L1, immune infiltrates, chemokines and chemokine receptors, respectively. The results from GO analysis of the 51 intersectional genes revealed that the biological processes were focused on the regulation of smooth muscle cell proliferation, oxidative stress and cell death, while the three key KEGG pathways were enriched in PI3K-Akt signal pathway, p53 signal pathway, and FOXO signal pathway. The docking of NaB with the 5 core target genes showed affinity and stability, especially AKT1. In vivo experiments showed that NaB treatment significantly protected mice from RILI, with reduced lung histological damage. In addition, NaB treatment significantly inhibited the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.

Conclusions

NaB may protect patients from RILI in NSCLC through multiple target genes including AKT1, TP53, NOTCH1, SIRT1 and PTEN, with multiple signaling pathways involving, including PI3K-Akt pathway, p53 pathway, and FOXO pathways. Our findings effectively provide a feasible theoretical basis to further elucidate the mechanism of NaB in the treatment of RILI.

The pharmacokinetic characteristics and excretion studies of fucosterol from Sargasssum fusiforme in rats

Fucosterol is the main phytosterol in brown algae with various pharmacological effects such as cholesterol-lowering, anti-cancer, hepatoprotection, neuroprotection, and so on. Little is known about the pharmacokinetics and excretion characteristics of fucosterol. In this study, a GC-MS method was developed and validated for the determination of fucosterol in rat plasma, urine, and feces. The method effectively avoids the interference of Δ⁵ -avenasterol, a cis-trans-isomer of fucosterol derived from feed, by using a TG-5 capillary column (non-polar column with 5 % phenyl-methylpolysilicone as stationary phase material). The linearity ranges of fucosterol 0.300-18.0 μg/mL (R² = 0.9960) for plasma, 0.0500-2.50 μg/mL for urine (R² = 0.9963), and 0.100-8.00 μg/mg (R² = 0.9923) for feces sample. With good extraction recoveries and stability, this rapid and sensitive method was successfully applied to the pharmacokinetic and excretion studies of fucosterol in Sprague-Dawley rat. Fucosterol from Sargassum fusiforme had poor absorption and slow elimination within the absolute oral bioavailability of 0.74 %, and was mainly eliminated through fecal excretion.

Underlying Mechanism and Active Ingredients of Tianma Gouteng Acting on Cerebral Infarction as Determined via Network Pharmacology Analysis Combined With Experimental Validation

Cerebral infarction (CI), a common cerebrovascular disease worldwide, is caused by unknown factors common to many diseases, including hypokalemia, respiratory diseases, and lower extremity venous thrombosis. Tianma Gouteng (TMGT), a traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) prescription, has been used for the clinical treatment of CI. In this study, high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) fingerprint analysis was used to detect and identify major chemical constituents of TMGT. TCMSP and BATMAN-TCM databases were used to screen for active TMGT constituent compounds, while the GeneCards database was used to screen for protein targets associated with CI. Next, GO and KEGG enrichment analysis of these core nodes were performed to determine the identities of key associated biological processes and signal pathways. Meanwhile, a total of six possible gene targets of TMGT, including NFKBIA, PPARG, IL6, IL1B, CXCL8, and HIF1A, were selected for further study using two cellular models of CI. For one model, PC12 cells were treated under oxygen and glucose deprivation (OGD) conditions to generate an OGD cellular model of CI, while for the other model, BV2 cells were stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to generate a cellular model of CI-associated inflammation. Ultimately TMGT treatment increased PPARγ expression and downregulated the expression of p-P65, p-IκBα, and HIF-1α in both OGD-induced and LPS-induced cell models of CI. In addition, molecular docking analysis showed that one TMGT chemical constituent, quercetin, may be a bioactive TMGT compound with activity that may be associated with the alleviation of neuronal damage and neuroinflammation triggered by CI. Moreover, additional data obtained in this work revealed that TMGT could inhibit neuroinflammation and protect brain cells from OGD-induced and LPS-induced damage by altering HIF-1α/PPARγ/NF-κB pathway functions. Thus, targeting this pathway through TMGT administration to CI patients may be a strategy for alleviating nerve injury and neuroinflammation triggered by CI.

Exploration of the mechanism of luteolin against ischemic stroke based on network pharmacology, molecular docking and experimental verification

Stroke is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. As the most common type of stroke cases, treatment effectiveness is still limited despite intensive research. Recently, traditional Chinese medicine has attracted attention because of potential benefits for stroke treatment. Among these, luteolin, a natural plant flavonoid compound, offers neuroprotection following against ischemic stroke, although the specific mechanisms are unknown. Here we used network pharmacology, molecular docking, and experimental verification to explore the mechanisms whereby luteolin can benefit stroke recovery. The pharmacological and molecular properties of luteolin were obtained from Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform. The potential targets of luteolin and ischemic stroke were collected from interrogating public databases. Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analyses were performed by Funrich and Database for Annotation, Visualization and Integrated Discovery respectively, a luteolin-target-pathway network constructed using Cytoscape, Autodock vina was used for molecular docking simulation with Discovery Studio was used to visualize and analyze the docked conformations. Lastly, we employed an in vitro model of stroke injury to evaluate the effects of luteolin on cell survival and expression of the putative targets. From 95 candidate luteolin target genes, our analysis identified six core targets . KEGG analysis of the candidate targets identified that luteolin provides therapeutic effects on stroke through TNF signaling and other pathways. Our experimental analyses confirmed the conclusions analyzed above. In summary, the molecular and pharmacological mechanisms of luteolin against stroke are indicated in our study from a systematic perspective.