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

The role of Chinese herbal medicine in the regulation of oxidative stress in treating hypertension: from therapeutics to mechanisms

BACKGROUND

Although the pathogenesis of essential hypertension is not clear, a large number of studies have shown that oxidative stress plays an important role in the occurrence and development of hypertension and target organ damage.

PURPOSE

This paper systematically summarizes the relationship between oxidative stress and hypertension, and explores the potential mechanisms of Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) in the regulation of oxidative stress in hypertension, aiming to establish a scientific basis for the treatment of hypertension with CHM.

METHODS

To review the efficacy and mechanism by which CHM treat hypertension through targeting oxidative stress, data were searched from PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, the Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure, the VIP Information Database, the Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, and the Wanfang Database from their inception up to January 2024. NPs were classified and summarized by their mechanisms of action.

RESULTS

In hypertension, the oxidative stress pathway of the body is abnormally activated, and the antioxidant system is inhibited, leading to the imbalance between the oxidative and antioxidative capacity. Meanwhile, excessive production of reactive oxygen species can lead to endothelial damage and vascular dysfunction, resulting in inflammation and immune response, thereby promoting the development of hypertension and damaging the heart, brain, kidneys, blood vessels, and other target organs. Numerous studies suggested that inhibiting oxidative stress may be the potential therapeutic target for hypertension. In recent years, the clinical advantages of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in the treatment of hypertension have gradually attracted attention. TCM, including active ingredients of CHM, single Chinese herb, TCM classic formula and traditional Chinese patent medicine, can not only reduce blood pressure, improve clinical symptoms, but also improve oxidative stress, thus extensively affect vascular endothelium, renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, sympathetic nervous system, target organ damage, as well as insulin resistance, hyperlipidemia, hyperhomocysteinemia and other pathological mechanisms and hypertension related risk factors.

CONCLUSIONS

CHM display a beneficial multi-target, multi-component, overall and comprehensive regulation characteristics, and have potential value for clinical application in the treatment of hypertension by regulating the level of oxidative stress.

Didang Tang alleviates neuronal ferroptosis after intracerebral hemorrhage by modulating the PERK/eIF2α/ATF4/CHOP/GPX4 signaling pathway

Introduction

Ferroptosis is a crucial process contributing to neuronal damage following intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). Didang Tang (DDT), a traditional therapeutic, has been used clinically to manage ICH for many years, yet the molecular mechanisms by which by DDT protects neurons from ferroptosis after ICH remain elusive.

Methods

This study utilized high-performance liquid chromatography-based fingerprint analysis to characterize DDT's chemical composition. An ICH rat model and hemin and erastin-induced PC12 cell ferroptosis models were developed to investigate DDT's neuroprotective mechanisms. Histological assessments of brain tissue morphology and iron deposition were performed using hematoxylin-eosin, Nissl, and Perl's blue staining. Neurological function was evaluated using Longa and Berderson scores, while lipid peroxidation was measured using biochemical assays and flow cytometry. Protein expression levels of ferroptosis- and endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS)-related markers were analyzed via Western blotting and immunofluorescence.

Results

Our results demonstrated that DDT reduced hematoma volume, decreased iron deposition, lowered malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, and upregulated glutathione peroxidase (GPX4) and SLC7A11 expression in affected brain regions. Furthermore, DDT downregulated GRP78 expression and inhibited the PERK/eIF2α/ATF4/CHOP/GPX4 pathway, exerting strong neuroprotective effects. The fluorescence staining results of MAP2/GPX4 and MAP2/CHOP suggested that DDT may regulate neuronal ferroptosis and ERs to exert the protective effect. In vitro experiments using hemin- and erastin-induced neuron-derived PC12 cells as neuronal ferroptosis models developed in our laboratory corroborated these in vivo findings, showing increased survival and reduced lipid peroxidation in DDT-treated cells, along with similar inhibitory effects on ferroptosis and ERS. Molecular docking suggested that DDT components, such as sennoside B, amygdalin, rhein, and emodin, interact favorably with PERK/eIF2α/ATF4/CHOP signaling pathway proteins, highlighting their potential role in DDT's anti-ferroptosis effects.

Conclusion

DDT alleviates neuronal ferroptosis after ICH by modulating the PERK/eIF2α/ATF4/CHOP/GPX4 signaling pathway. Overall, this study provides novel insights into DDT's protective mechanisms against ICH-induced neuronal injury by modulating ferroptosis and ERS pathways, underscoring its potential as an effective therapeutic strategy.

Anti-hypertensive effect and potential mechanism of gastrodia-uncaria granules based on network pharmacology and experimental validation

Hypertension has become a major contributor to the morbidity and mortality of cardiovascular diseases worldwide. Despite the evidence of the anti-hypertensive effect of gastrodia-uncaria granules (GUG) in hypertensive patients, little is known about its potential therapeutic targets as well as the underlying mechanism. GUG components were sourced from TCMSP and HERB, with bioactive ingredients screened. Hypertension-related targets were gathered from DisGeNET, OMIM, GeneCards, CTD, and GEO. The STRING database constructed a protein-protein interaction network, visualized by Cytoscape 3.7.1. Core targets were analyzed via GO and KEGG using R package ClusterProfiler. Molecular docking with AutodockVina 1.2.2 revealed favorable binding affinities. In vivo studies on hypertensive mice and rats validated network pharmacology findings. GUG yielded 228 active ingredients and 1190 targets, intersecting with 373 hypertension-related genes. PPI network analysis identified five core genes: AKT1, TNF-α, GAPDH, IL-6, and ALB. Top enriched GO terms and KEGG pathways associated with the anti-hypertensive properties of GUG were documented. Molecular docking indicated stable binding of core components to targets. In vivo study showed that GUG could improve vascular relaxation, alleviate vascular remodeling, and lower blood pressure in hypertensive animal models possibly through inhibiting inflammatory factors such as AKT1, mTOR, and CCND1. Integrated network pharmacology and in vivo experiment showed that GUG may exert anti-hypertensive effects by inhibiting inflammation response, which provides some clues for understanding the effect and mechanisms of GUG in the treatment of hypertension.

Predictive Analysis of Yi-Gai-San's Multifaceted Mechanisms for Tremor-dominant Parkinson's Disease via Network Pharmacology and Molecular Docking Validation

INTRODUCTION

Based on comprehensive network-pharmacology and molecular docking analysis, this study was intended to unveil the multiple mechanisms of Yi- Gai-San (YGS) in treating the tremor-dominant subtype of Parkinson's disease (PD-DT). The compounds of YGS were meticulously analyzed, selected, and standardized with references to their pharmacological attributes. Its components included Gouteng (Uncaria rhynchophylla), Chaihu (Radix Bupleuri), Chuanxiong (Chuanxiong Rhizoma), Danggui (Angelicae sinensis radix), Fuling (Wolfiporia extensa), Baizhu (Atractylodis macrocephalae rhizoma), and Gancao (Licorice, Glycyrrhizae radix).

METHODS

We identified 75 active compounds within YGS. From these, we predicted 110 gene targets, which exhibited a direct association with PD-DT. PPI network results highlighted core target proteins, including TP53, SLC6A3, GAPDH, MAOB, AKT, BAX, IL6, BCL2, PKA, and CASP3. These proteins potentially alleviate PD-DT by targeting inflammation, modulating neuronal cell apoptosis, and regulating the dopamine system. Furthermore, GO and KEGG enrichment analyses emphasized that YGS might influence various mechanisms, such as the apoptotic process, mitochondrial autophagy, Age-Rage signaling, and dopaminergic and serotonergic synapses. The core proteins from the PPI analysis were selected for the docking experiment.

RESULTS

The docking results demonstrated that the most stable ligand-receptor conformations were kaempferol with CASP3 (-9.5 kcal/mol), stigmasterol with SLC6A3 (-10.5 kcal/mol), shinpterocarpin with BCL2L1 (-9.6 kcal/mol), hirsutine with MAOB (-9.7 kcal/mol), hederagenin with PRKACA (-9.8 kcal/mol), and yatein with GAPDH (-9.8 kcal/mol). These results provide us with research objectives for future endeavors in extracting single compounds for drug manufacturing or in-depth studies on drug mechanisms.

CONCLUSION

From these computational findings, we suggested that YGS might mitigate PD-DT via "multi-compounds, multi-targets, and multi-pathways."

GelFAP v2.0: an improved platform for Gene functional analysis in Gastrodia elata

BACKGROUND

Gastrodia elata (tianma), a well-known medicinal orchid, is widely used to treat various kinds of diseases with its dried tuber. In recent years, new chromosome-level genomes of G.elata have been released in succession, which offer an enormous resource pool for understanding gene function. Previously we have constructed GelFAP for gene functional analysis of G.elata. As genomes are updated and transcriptome data is accumulated, collection data in GelFAP cannot meet the need of researchers.

RESULTS

Based on new chromosome-level genome and transcriptome data, we constructed co-expression network of G. elata, and then we annotated genes by aligning with sequences from NR, TAIR, Uniprot and Swissprot database. GO (Gene Ontology) and KEGG (Kyoto Encylopaedia of Genes and Genomes) annotations were predicted by InterProScan and GhostKOALA software. Gene families were further predicted by iTAK (Plant Transcription factor and Protein kinase Identifier and Classifier), HMMER (hidden Markov models), InParanoid. Finally, we developed an improved platform for gene functional analysis in G. elata (GelFAP v2.0) by integrating new genome, transcriptome data and processed functional annotation. Several tools were also introduced to platform including BLAST (Basic Local Alignment Search Tool), GSEA (Gene Set Enrichment Analysis), Heatmap, JBrowse, Motif analysis and Sequence extraction. Based on this platform, we found that the flavonoid biosynthesis might be regulated by transcription factors (TFs) such as MYB, HB and NAC. We also took C4H and GAFP4 as examples to show the usage of our platform.

CONCLUSION

An improved platform for gene functional analysis in G. elata (GelFAP v2.0, www.gzybioinformatics.cn/Gelv2 ) was constructed, which provides better genome data, more transcriptome resources and more analysis tools. The updated platform might be preferably benefit researchers to carry out gene functional research for their project.

Network pharmacology of Huatan Tongluo decoction and clinical effects of its combination with acupuncture in the treatment of stroke

OBJECTIVE

This study was carried out to probe the clinical effect and mechanism of Huatan Tongluo decoction combined with acupuncture in the treatment of patients with ischemic stroke.

METHODS

The clinical data of 100 patients with ischemic stroke were retrospectively collected. On the basis of treatment method, they were split into two groups, each with 50 cases: the conventional treatment group (acupuncture) and the combined treatment group (Huatan Tongluo decoction + acupuncture). After treatment, the neurological function and clinical therapeutic effects of the two groups were evaluated. The treatment of ischemic stroke with Huatan Tongluo decoction was studied by the method of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) network pharmacology. Resources from databases such as GeneCards, TCMSP, PubChem, Swiss Target Prediction, String, and WebGestalt were integrated, in order to screen for targets of stroke treatment, the active compound composition of Huatan Tongluo decoction, and the targets of compound composition by the use of Cytoscape and R language software. Finally, from the perspective of a protein-protein interaction (PPI) co-expression network, Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis, the significance of Huatan Tongluo decoction in the treatment of ischemic stroke was discussed.

RESULTS

The total effectiveness rate in the combined treatment group was superior to the conventional treatment group. The combined group had higher scores of neurological function, limb movement function, and ability to perform daily living tasks than the conventional treatment group (all P < 0.05). 368 pharmacological targets for Huatan Tongluo decoction and a total of 5690 ischemic stroke targets were retrieved from the database, and 215 intersection targets were found. The results of the PPI network indicated that 43 targets, including EGFR (epidermal growth factor receptor), SRC (proto-oncogene, non-receptor tyrosine kinase), PTPN11 (protein tyrosine phosphatase non-receptor type 11), PIK3CA (phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate 3-kinase catalytic subunit alpha), AKT1 (serine/threonine kinase 1), VEGFA (vascular endothelial growth factor A), STAT3 (signal transducer and activator of transcription 3), and FYN (FYN proto-oncogene, Src family tyrosine kinase), had the strongest interactions, so they could be used as targets for subsequent basic research verification. The results suggested that pathways such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) signaling pathway and other pathways were enriched.

CONCLUSION

The combination of Huatan Tongluo decoction and acupuncture can help patients with sequelae of stroke promote the regaining of neurological function, thus improving their movement and enhancing their abilities to perform daily living. Huatan Tongluo decoction can mediate the VEGF signaling pathway and other pathways to treat ischemic stroke.

Network pharmacology and molecular docking analysis on molecular targets and mechanisms of Gastrodia elata Blume in the treatment of ischemic stroke

Gastrodia elata Blume (GEB) is widely used to treat cardio-cerebrovascular disease in China and in traditional Chinese medicine it is considered to be a dispelling wind and dredging collateral. However, the mechanism and active components of the plant in treating ischemic stroke (IS) remain unclear. The present study aimed to identify the active components and mechanism of GEB in treating IS using network pharmacology and molecular docking technology. Network analysis predicted 752 potential targets from 14 compounds in GEB, sharing 32 key targets with IS-associated targets. Gene Ontology analysis of key targets showed that 'oxidative stress', 'immune response' and 'regulation of blood circulation' were significantly enriched. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analysis indicated that the key targets regulated 11 representative pathways including 'arachidonic acid metabolism', 'lipid and galactose metabolism'. In the protein-protein interaction network, five core targets, including toll-like receptor agonist, STAT3, myeloperoxidase (MPO), prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)9, were identified and successfully docked with four active components: Palmitic acid, alexandrin, para-hydroxybenzaldehyde and gastrodin. Alexandrin, para-hydroxybenzaldehyde, and gastrodin are closely related to brain ischemia/reperfusion damage and repair. Therefore, to further verify the mechanism of action of three active components in the second part, we established the HT22 oxygen-glucose deprivation-reperfusion (OGD/R) model. Cell Counting Kit-8 assay and western blot analysis demonstrated that these three active components of GEB regulated core targets of molecular docking, such as STAT3, MPO and MMP9. In vitro experiments showed that OGD/R decreased cell survival, while this effect was reversed by the three active components of GEB. In addition, western blot analysis indicated that alexandrin upregulated expression of phosphorylated-STAT3, para-hydroxybenzaldehyde downregulated MPO and gastrodin downregulated MMP9. Therefore, the present study showed that GEB may prevent and treat IS via interaction between the active components and the main targets, which is key for investigating the efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine.

Andrographolide Inhibits ER-Positive Breast Cancer Growth and Enhances Fulvestrant Efficacy via ROS-FOXM1-ER-α Axis

Estrogen receptor (ER)-positive breast cancer is the main subtype of breast cancer (BRCA) with high incidence and mortality. Andrographolide (AD), a major active component derived from the traditional Chinese medicine Andrographis paniculate, has substantial anti-cancer effect in various tumors. However, the antitumor efficacy and the underlying molecular mechanisms of AD on ER-positive breast cancer are poorly understood. In the present study, we demonstrated that andrographolide (AD) significantly inhibited the growth of ER-positive breast cancer cells. Mechanistically, AD suppressed estrogen receptor 1 (ESR1, encodes ER-α) transcription to inhibit tumor growth. Further studies revealed that AD induced ROS production to down-regulate FOXM1-ER-α axis. Conversely, inhibiting ROS production with N-acetylcysteine (NAC) elevated AD-decreased ER-α expression, which could be alleviated by FOXM1 knockdown. In addition, AD in combination with fulvestrant (FUL) synergistically down-regulated ER-α expression to inhibit ER-positive breast cancer both in vitro and in vivo. These findings collectively indicate that AD suppresses ESR1 transcription through ROS-FOXM1 axis to inhibit ER-positive breast cancer growth and suggest that AD might be a potential therapeutic agent and fulvestrant sensitizer for ER-positive breast cancer treatment.