Based on network pharmacology and molecular docking to predict the mechanism of Huangqi in the treatment of castration-resistant prostate cancer

Novel systems biology experimental pipeline reveals matairesinol's antimetastatic potential in prostate cancer: an integrated approach of network pharmacology, bioinformatics, and experimental validation

Matairesinol (MAT), a plant lignan renowned for its anticancer properties in hormone-sensitive cancers like breast and prostate cancers, presents a promising yet underexplored avenue in the treatment of metastatic prostate cancer (mPC). To elucidate its specific therapeutic targets and mechanisms, our study adopted an integrative approach, amalgamating network pharmacology (NP), bioinformatics, GeneMANIA-based functional association (GMFA), and experimental validation. By mining online databases, we identified 27 common targets of mPC and MAT, constructing a MAT-mPC protein-protein interaction network via STRING and pinpointing 11 hub targets such as EGFR, AKT1, ERBB2, MET, IGF1, CASP3, HSP90AA1, HIF1A, MMP2, HGF, and MMP9 with CytoHuba. Utilizing DAVID, Gene Ontology (GO) analysis highlighted metastasis-related processes such as epithelial-mesenchymal transition, positive regulation of cell migration, and key Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways, including cancer, prostate cancer, PI3K-Akt, and MAPK signaling, while the web resources such as UALCAN and GEPIA2 affirmed the clinical significance of the top 11 hub targets in mPC patient survival analysis and gene expression patterns. Our innovative GMFA enrichment method further enriched network pharmacology findings. Molecular docking analyses demonstrated substantial interactions between MAT and 11 hub targets. Simulation studies confirmed the stable interactions of MAT with selected targets. Experimental validation in PC3 cells, employing quantitative real-time reverse-transcription PCR and various cell-based assays, corroborated MAT's antimetastatic effects on mPC. Thus, this exhaustive NP analysis, complemented by GMFA, molecular docking, molecular dynamics simulations, and experimental validations, underscores MAT's multifaceted role in targeting mPC through diverse therapeutic avenues. Nevertheless, comprehensive in vitro validation is imperative to solidify these findings.

Exploring the mechanism of 6-Methoxydihydrosanguinarine in the treatment of lung adenocarcinoma based on network pharmacology, molecular docking and experimental investigation

BACKGROUND

6-Methoxydihydrosanguinarine (6-MDS) has shown promising potential in fighting against a variety of malignancies. Yet, its anti‑lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) effect and the underlying mechanism remain largely unexplored. This study sought to explore the targets and the probable mechanism of 6-MDS in LUAD through network pharmacology and experimental validation.

METHODS

The proliferative activity of human LUAD cell line A549 was evaluated by Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK8) assay. LUAD related targets, potential targets of 6-MDS were obtained from databases. Venn plot analysis were performed on 6-MDS target genes and LUAD related genes to obtain potential target genes for 6-MDS treatment of LUAD. The Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes/Proteins (STRING) database was utilized to perform a protein-protein interaction (PPI) analysis, which was then visualized by Cytoscape. The hub genes in the network were singled out by CytoHubba. Metascape was employed for GO and KEGG enrichment analyses. molecular docking was carried out using AutoDock Vina 4.2 software. Gene expression levels, overall survival of hub genes were validated by the GEPIA database. Protein expression levels, promotor methylation levels of hub genes were confirmed by the UALCAN database. Timer database was used for evaluating the association between the expression of hub genes and the abundance of infiltrating immune cells. Furthermore, correlation analysis of hub genes expression with immune subtypes of LUAD were performed by using the TISIDB database. Finally, the results of network pharmacology analysis were validated by qPCR.

RESULTS

Experiments in vitro revealed that 6-MDS significantly reduced tumor growth. A total of 33 potential targets of 6-MDS in LUAD were obtained by crossing the LUAD related targets with 6-MDS targets. Utilizing CytoHubba, a network analysis tool, the top 10 genes with the highest centrality measures were pinpointed, including MMP9, CDK1, TYMS, CCNA2, ERBB2, CHEK1, KIF11, AURKB, PLK1 and TTK. Analysis of KEGG enrichment hinted that these 10 hub genes were located in the cell cycle signaling pathway, suggesting that 6-MDS may mainly inhibit the occurrence of LUAD by affecting the cell cycle. Molecular docking analysis revealed that the binding energies between 6-MDS and the hub proteins were all higher than - 6 kcal/Mol with the exception of AURKB, indicating that the 9 targets had strong binding ability with 6-MDS.These results were corroborated through assessments of mRNA expression levels, protein expression levels, overall survival analysis, promotor methylation level, immune subtypes andimmune infiltration. Furthermore, qPCR results indicated that 6-MDS can significantly decreased the mRNA levels of CDK1, CHEK1, KIF11, PLK1 and TTK.

CONCLUSIONS

According to our findings, it appears that 6-MDS could possibly serve as a promising option for the treatment of LUAD. Further investigations in live animal models are necessary to confirm its potential in fighting cancer and to delve into the mechanisms at play.

Uncovering the key pharmacodynamic material basis and possible molecular mechanism of Xiaoke formulation improve insulin resistant through a comprehensive investigation

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Xiaoke formulation (XKF) has been utilized in clinical practice for decades in China as a treatment option for mild to moderate type 2 diabetes. However, there is still a need for systematic research to uncover the key pharmacodynamic material basis and mechanism of XKF.

AIM OF THE STUDY

Aim of to investigate the distribution and metabolism of XKF in normal and insulin resistant (IR) mice were different, and elucidate its key pharmacodynamic material basis and mechanism of action.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Ultra performance liquid chromatography/time of flight mass spectrometry technology was employed to investigate the differences in XKF absorption, distribution, and metabolism between normal and IR mice across blood, liver, feces, and urine samples. Further, network pharmacology was used to predict target proteins and their associated signaling pathways. Then, molecular docking was utilized to validate the activity of key pharmacodynamic components and targets. Finally, IR HepG2 cells were used to detect the glucose consumption under the action of key pharmacodynamic material basis. In addition, the expression of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), protein kinase B (AKT) and phospho-protein kinase B (p-AKT) was determined using western blotting.

RESULTS

The study demonstrates significant distinctions in plasma and liver number and abundance of alkaloids, organic acids, flavonoids, iridoids and saponins between normal and IR mice when XKF was administered. Further analysis has shown that the representative components of XKF, including berberine, chlorogenic acid, calycosin, swertiamarin and astragaloside IV have significantly different metabolic pathways in plasma and liver. Prototypes and metabolites of these components were rarely detected in the urine and feces of mice. According to the network pharmacological analysis, these differential components are predicted to improve IR by targeting key factors such as SRC, JUN, HRAS, NOS3, FGF2, etc. Additionally, the signaling pathways involved in this process include PI3K-AKT pathway, GnRH signaling pathway, and T cell receptor signaling pathway. In addition, in vitro experiments indicate that berberine and its metabolites (berberine and demethyleneberine), chlorogenic acid and its metabolites (3-O-ferulic quinic acid and 5-O-ferulic quinic acid), calycosin and swertiamarin could improve IR in IR-HepG2 cells by elevating the expression of PI3K and AKT, leading to an increase in glucose consumption.

CONCLUSION

The key pharmacodynamic material basis of XKF, such as berberine and its metabolites (berberrubine and demethyleneberberine), chlorogenic acid and its metabolites (3-O-feruloylquinic acid and 5-O-feruloylquinic acid), calycosin and swertiamarin influence the glucose metabolism disorder of IR-HepG2 cells by regulating the PI3K/AKT signalling pathway, leading to an improvement in IR.

Exploring the mechanism of ellagic acid against gastric cancer based on bioinformatics analysis and network pharmacology

Ellagic acid (EA) is a natural polyphenolic compound. Recent studies have shown that EA has potential anticancer properties against gastric cancer (GC). This study aims to reveal the potential targets and mechanisms of EA against GC. This study adopted methods of bioinformatics analysis and network pharmacology, including the weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA), construction of protein-protein interaction (PPI) network, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) and Kaplan-Meier (KM) survival curve analysis, Gene Ontology (GO) function and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis, molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations (MDS). A total of 540 EA targets were obtained. Through WGCNA, we obtained a total of 2914 GC clinical module genes, combined with the disease database for screening, a total of 606 GC-related targets and 79 intersection targets of EA and GC were obtained by constructing Venn diagram. PPI network was constructed to identify 14 core candidate targets; TP53, JUN, CASP3, HSP90AA1, VEGFA, HRAS, CDH1, MAPK3, CDKN1A, SRC, CYCS, BCL2L1 and CDK4 were identified as the key targets of EA regulation of GC by ROC and KM curve analysis. The enrichment analysis of GO and KEGG pathways of key targets was performed, and they were mainly enriched in p53 signalling pathway, PI3K-Akt signalling pathway. The results of molecular docking and MDS showed that EA could effectively bind to 13 key targets to form stable protein-ligand complexes. This study revealed the key targets and molecular mechanisms of EA against GC and provided a theoretical basis for further study of the pharmacological mechanism of EA against GC.

Salsolinol improves angiotensin II‑induced myocardial fibrosis in vitro via inhibition of LSD1 through regulation of the STAT3/Notch‑1 signaling pathway

The clinical incidence of congestive heart failure (CHF) is very high and it poses a significant threat to the health of patients. The traditional Chinese medicine monomer salsolinol is widely used to treat similar symptoms of CHF. However, there have been no reports on the effect of salsolinol for the management of CHF and its effects on myocardial fibrosis. In the present study, salsolinol was used to treat angiotensin II (AngII)-induced human cardiac fibroblasts (HCFs) and cell proliferation and migration were assessed using a CCK-8, EdU staining assay and wound healing assay. Subsequently, immunofluorescence, western blotting and other techniques were used to detect indicators associated with cell fibrosis and relevant kits were used to detect markers of cellular inflammation and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Molecular docking analysis was used to predict the relationship between salsolinol and lysine-specific histone demethylase 1A (LSD1). Subsequently, the expression of LSD1 in the serum of CHF patients was detected by reverse transcription-quantitative PCR. Finally, LSD1 was overexpressed in cells to explore the regulatory mechanism of salsolinol in AngII-induced HFCs. Salsolinol reduced the proliferation and migration. Salsolinol reduced the expression of fibrosis marker proteins α-smooth muscle actin, Collagen I and Collagen III in a concentration-dependent manner, thereby reducing cell fibrosis. In addition, salsolinol reduced the levels of TNF-α and IL-6 in the cell supernatant and ROS production following AngII induction. Salsolinol inhibited LSD1 expression and regulated the STAT3/Notch-1 signaling pathway. Upregulation of LSD1 reversed the effects of salsolinol on AngII-induced HCFs. Salsolinol inhibited LSD1 via regulation of the STAT3/Notch-1 signaling pathway to improve Ang II-induced myocardial fibrosis in vitro.

Using CADD tools to inhibit the overexpressed genes FAP, FN1, and MMP1 by repurposing ginsenoside C and Rg1 as a treatment for oral cancer

Oral cancer is one of the most common cancer types. Many factors can express certain genes that cause the proliferation of oral tissues. Overexpressed genes were detected in oral cancer patients; three were highly impacted. FAP, FN1, and MMP1 were the targeted genes that showed inhibition results in silico by ginsenoside C and Rg1. Approved drugs were retrieved from the DrugBank database. The docking scores show an excellent interaction between the ligands and the targeted macromolecules. Further molecular dynamics simulations showed the binding stability of the proposed natural products. This work recommends repurposing ginsenoside C and Rg1 as potential binders for the selected targets and endorses future experimental validation for the treatment of oral cancer.