Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine bioinformatics approach through network pharmacology and molecular docking to determine the molecular mechanisms of Erjing pill in Alzheimer's disease

Network pharmacology approach to unravel the neuroprotective potential of natural products: a narrative review

Aging is a slow and irreversible biological process leading to decreased cell and tissue functions with higher risks of multiple age-related diseases, including neurodegenerative diseases. It is widely accepted that aging represents the leading risk factor for neurodegeneration. The pathogenesis of these diseases involves complex interactions of genetic mutations, environmental factors, oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, and mitochondrial dysfunction, which complicate treatment with traditional mono-targeted therapies. Network pharmacology can help identify potential gene or protein targets related to neurodegenerative diseases. Integrating advanced molecular profiling technologies and computer-aided drug design further enhances the potential of network pharmacology, enabling the identification of biomarkers and therapeutic targets, thus paving the way for precision medicine in neurodegenerative diseases. This review article delves into the application of network pharmacology in understanding and treating neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Huntington's disease, and spinal muscular atrophy. Overall, this article emphasizes the importance of addressing aging as a central factor in developing effective disease-modifying therapies, highlighting how network pharmacology can unravel the complex biological networks associated with aging and pave the way for personalized medical strategies.

Integrated Network Pharmacology, Molecular Modeling, LC-MS Profiling, and Semisynthetic Approach for the Roots of Rubia tinctorum L. Metabolites in Cancer Treatment

Rubia tinctorum L. is one of the most widely used plants in folk medicine, with many reported pharmacological activities. One of these valuable activities is its anticancer efficacy. The aim of this study is to explore the multilevel mechanisms of R. tinctorum metabolites in cancer treatment using network pharmacology, together with molecular docking and in vitro studies. The network pharmacology analysis enabled us to reveal the hit anticancer R. tinctorum constituents, which were found to be acacetin, alizarin, anthragallol, 2-hydroxyanthraquinone, and xanthopurpurin. The most enriched cancer-linked target genes were PLCG1, BCL2, CYP1B1, NSD2, and ESR2. The pathways that were mostly involved in the anticancer mechanism of R. tinctorum metabolites were found to be metabolic pathways as well as pathways in cancer and apoptosis. Molecular docking of the identified hit anticancer constituents on the active sites of the most enriched genes unveiled that acacetin and alizarin possessed the lowest binding energies on the active sites of NSD2 and BCL2, respectively. While anthragallol showed the most stabilized interaction on the active sites of PLCG1, CYP1B1, and ESR2. Consequently, R. tinctorum extracts were evaluated for their in vitro cytotoxicity on a panel of cancerous cells. Among the tested R. tinctorum extracts, the chloroform extract was the strongest one with an IC50 = 3.987 μg/mL on the MCF-7 breast cancer cell line. Consequently, it was subjected to chromatographic separation and purification to isolate its major components with reported anticancer activity (scopoletin, rubiadin, chrysophanic acid, alizarin, purpurin, nor-damnacanthal, emodin, and rutin). Alizarin and purpurin constituted the main anthraquinones in R. tinctorum . Thus, they were quantified using LC/MS analysis. Moreover, a semisynthetic approach of alizarin toward the enhancement of its anticancer effect on the tested cancer cells was attained. Among the synthesized compounds, 2-methyl alizarin was the most active one with an IC50 = 8.878 μg/mL against the HepG2 cell line. This study provides deep insights into the anticancer mechanisms of R. tinctorum metabolites for the first time using network pharmacology and valorizes their significance as valuable anticancer agents.

Exploring the potential mechanism of Polygonatum sibiricum for Alzheimer's disease based on network pharmacology and molecular docking: An observational study

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease, and there have been no systematic studies of Polygonatum against Alzheimer's disease. Therefore, our study will elucidate the mechanism of Polygonatum against AD based on network pharmacology and molecular docking. The active ingredients and corresponding targets of Polygonatum were identified using the traditional Chinese medicine systematic pharmacology database and analysis platform. Disease targets of AD were retrieved from the therapeutic target database, Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man, GeneCards, and Disgenet databases. Using the STRING database, we constructed protein interaction networks and performed gene ontology functional enrichment analysis as well as Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes pathway enrichment analysis on common targets. We then drew drug-component-target-pathway-disease network maps using Cytoscape 3.10.1 software and validated the molecular docking using AutoDock4. A total of 10 active ingredients and 108 common targets were screened from Polygonatum, 29 genes (including AKT1 and STAT3) were identified as core genes. According to gene ontology analysis, the core targets were found to be mainly involved in signal transduction, positive regulation of gene expression, negative regulation of the apoptotic process, and so on. The Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes analysis revealed that the signaling pathways comprised pathways in cancer, pathways of neurodegeneration - multiple diseases, and PI3K-Akt signaling pathway. The molecular docking results indicated that 10 of active ingredients from Polygonatum exhibited strong binding affinity with the 6 core targets that were screened before. The activity of Polygonatum against AD could be attributed to the regulation of multiple biological effects via multi-pathways (pathways in cancer, pathways of neurodegeneration - multiple diseases, and PI3K-Akt signaling pathway). The binding activities were estimated as good level by molecular docking. These discoveries disclosed the multi-component, multi-target, and multi-pathway characteristics of Polygonatum against AD, providing a new strategy for such medical problem.

Erjingpill bionic cerebrospinal fluid alleviates LPS-induced inflammatory response in BV2 cells by inhibiting glycolysis via mTOR

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Erjingpill, a well-known prescription documented in the classic Chinese medical text "Shengji Zonglu," has been proven to have effective alleviating effects on neuroinflammation in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Although the alterations in microglial cell glycolysis are known to play a crucial role in the development of neuroinflammation, it remains unclear whether the anti-neuroinflammatory effects of Erjingpill are associated with its impact on microglial cell glycolysis.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study aims to determine whether Erjingpill exerts anti-neuroinflammatory effects by influencing microglial cell glycolysis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Firstly, Erjingpill decoction was prepared into an Erjingpill bionic cerebrospinal fluid (EBCF) through a process of in vitro intestinal absorption, hepatocyte incubation, and blood-brain barrier (BBB) transcytosis. Subsequently, UPLC/Q-TOF-MS/MS technology was used to analyze the compounds in Erjingpill and EBCF. Next, an in vitro neuroinflammation model was established by LPS-induced BV2 cells. The impact of EBCF on BV2 cell proliferation activity was evaluated using the CCK-8 assay, while the NO release was assessed using the Griess assay. Additionally, mRNA levels of pro-inflammatory factors (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and COX-2), anti-inflammatory factors (IL-10, IL-4, Arg-1, and TGF-β), M1 microglial markers (iNOS, CD86), M2 microglial markers (CD36, CD206), and glycolytic enzymes (HK2, GLUT1, PKM, and LDHA) were measured using qPCR. Furthermore, protein expression of microglial activation marker Iba-1, M1 marker iNOS, and M2 marker CD206 were identified through immunofluorescence, while concentrations of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β and TNF-α were measured using ELISA. Enzymatic activity of glycolytic enzymes (HK, PK, and LDH) was assessed using assay kits, and the protein levels of pro-inflammatory factors (IL-1β, iNOS, and COX-2), anti-inflammatory factors (IL-10 and Arg-1), and key glycolytic proteins GLUT1 and PI3K/AKT/mTOR were detected by Western blot.

RESULTS

Through the analysis of Erjingpill and EBCF, 144 compounds were identified in Erjingpill and 40 compounds were identified in EBCF. The results demonstrated that EBCF effectively inhibited the elevation of inflammatory factors and glycolysis levels in LPS-induced BV2 cells, promoted polarization of M1 microglial cells towards the M2 phenotype, and suppressed the PI3K/AKT/mTOR inflammatory pathway. Moreover, EBCF alleviated LPS-induced BV2 cell inflammatory response by modulating mTOR to inhibit glycolysis.

CONCLUSIONS

EBCF exhibits significant anti-neuroinflammatory effects, likely attributed to its modulation of mTOR to inhibit microglial cell glycolysis. This study furnishes experimental evidence supporting the clinical utilization of Erjingpill for preventing and treating AD.

Mechanism of inhibition of TLR4/NFκB/NLRP3 inflammatory pathway against AD based on the network pharmacology of Erjing Pills

Alzheimer disease is an irreversible neurodegenerative disease, and its pathogenesis involves various mechanisms such as neuroinflammation and β-amyloid deposition. Erjing Pills can inhibit neuroinflammation by inhibiting toll-like receptor 4/nuclear factor kappa-B/nucleotide-binding domain leucine-rich repeat and pyrin domain-containing protein 3; however, qualitative analysis of the material basis is lacking. Therefore, it is necessary to analyze and explore the material basis of network pharmacology research. This study employed a multifaceted approach, including drug-like screening, molecular docking, and bioinformatic analysis. Preliminary screening identified 59 drug ingredients in Erjing Pills that met the Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, Excretion and Toxicity screening criteria. Among these, 7 ingredients, including diosgenin, exhibited superior binding properties compared with the positive drugs in molecular docking. Gene ontology annotation and pathway analysis revealed their involvement in crucial biological processes, such as hormone response, insulin resistance, and steroid hormone biosynthesis signaling pathways, which are known for their anti-inflammatory and cognitive enhancement effects. A meta-analysis of relevant literature corroborated the anti-inflammatory activities of diosgenin and 5 other ingredients. These 5 ingredients, with diosgenin as a prominent candidate, exert anti-inflammatory effects by targeting key components of the toll-like receptor 4/nuclear factor kappa-B/nucleotide-binding domain leucine-rich repeat and pyrin domain-containing protein 3 inflammatory pathway, thereby presenting potential efficacy in the treatment of Alzheimer disease.

Exploration of the pharmacological components and therapeutic mechanisms in treatment of Alzheimer's disease with Polygonati Rhizoma and its processed product using combined analysis of metabolomics, network pharmacology, and gut microbiota

Polygonati Rhizoma (PR, Huangjing in Chinese) and its processed product (PRP), which are used in Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for cognitive enhancement and treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD), have not been fully explored in terms of the different mechanisms underlying their anti-AD effects. Therefore, we used APP/PS1 mice as an AD model to assess the effects of PR and PRP on anxiety-like behaviors, cognitive function, memory performance, and pathological changes in the murine brain. UPLC-HRMS was applied to identify the components of PR and PRP that entered into the blood and brain. Network pharmacology was used to elucidate potential mechanisms underlying the improvement of AD. Differences in the intestinal flora composition between mice treated with PR and PRP were investigated using 16S rRNA sequencing, establishing a correlation between pharmacological components and distinct flora profiles. The results revealed that both PR and PRP interventions ameliorated cognitive deficits and attenuated Amyloid β (Aβ) plaque deposition in the brains of AD mice. Seven specific blood-entering components, namely glutamic acid, Phe-Phe, and uridine, etc., were associated with PR intervention, whereas ten specific blood-entering components including (2R,3S)-3-isopropylmalate, 3-methylhexahydropyrrolo[1,2-a]pyrazine-1,4-dione, and 3-methoxytyrosine were related to PRP intervention. Uridine was identified as a common brain-penetrating component in both PR and PRP interventions. Network pharmacology analysis suggested that the NOD-like receptor signaling pathway, Calcium signaling pathway and Alzheimer's disease were specific pathways targeted in AD treatment using PR intervention. Moreover, the apoptosis pathway was specifically linked to AD treatment during PRP intervention. Furthermore, the administration of both PR and PRP enhanced the abundance and diversity of the intestinal flora in APP/PS1 mice. Western blotting confirmed that PR excels in regulates inflammation, whereas PRP balances autophagy and apoptosis to alleviate the progression of AD. This study offers valuable insights and establishes a robust foundation for further comprehensive exploration of the intrinsic correlation between TCM and AD.

Analysis of the mechanism of fibrauretine alleviating Alzheimer's disease based on transcriptomics and proteomics

The dried rattan stem of the Fibraurea Recisa Pierre plant contains the active ingredient known as fibrauretine (FN). Although it greatly affects Alzheimer's disease (AD), the mechanism of their effects still remains unclear. Proteomics and transcriptomics analysis methods were used in this study to determine the mechanism of FN in the treatment of AD. AD model is used through bilateral hippocampal injection of Aβ1-40. After successful modeling, FN was given for 30 days. The results showed that FN could improve the cognitive dysfunction of AD model rats, reduce the expression of Aβ and P-Tau, increase the content of acetylcholine and reduce the activity of acetylcholinesterase. The Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enriched differentially expressed genes and proteins are involved in signaling pathways including metabolic pathway, AD, pathway in cancer, PI3K-AKT signaling pathway, and cAMP signaling pathway. Transcriptomics and proteomics sequencing resulted in 19 differentially expressed genes and proteins. Finally, in contrast to the model group, after FN treatment, the protein expressions and genes associated with the PI3K-AKT pathway were significantly improved in RT-qPCR and Western blot and assays. This is consistent with the findings of transcriptomic and proteomic analyses. Our study found that, FN may improve some symptoms of AD model rats through PI3K-AKT signaling pathway.

Polygonati Rhizoma: A review on the extraction, purification, structural characterization, biosynthesis of the main secondary metabolites and anti-aging effects

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Polygonati Rhizome (PR) is a plant that is extensively widespread in the temperate zones of the Northern Hemisphere. It is a member of the Polygonatum family of Asparagaceae. PR exhibits diverse pharmacological effects and finds applications in ethnopharmacology, serving as a potent tonic for more than two millennia. PR's compounds endow it with various pharmacological properties, including anti-aging, antioxidant, anti-fatigue, anti-inflammatory, and sleep-enhancing effects, as well as therapeutic potential for osteoporosis and age-related diseases.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This review seeks to offer a thorough overview of the processing, purification, extraction, structural characterization, and biosynthesis pathways of PR. Furthermore, it delves into the anti-aging mechanism of PR, using organ protection as an entry point.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Information on PR was obtained from scientific databases (Google Scholar, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, SciFinder, PubMed, CNKI) and books, doctoral theses, and master's dissertations.

RESULTS

In this investigation, 49 polysaccharides were extracted from PR, and the impact of various processing, extraction, and purification techniques on the structure and activity of these polysaccharides was evaluated. Additionally, 163 saponins and 46 flavonoids were identified, and three key biosynthesis pathways of secondary metabolites were outlined. Notably, PR and Polygonat Rhizomai polysaccharides (PRP) exhibit remarkable protective effects against age-induced injuries to the brain, liver, kidney, intestine, heart, and vessels, thereby promoting longevity and ameliorating the aging process.

CONCLUSIONS

PR, a culinary and therapeutic herb, is rich in active components and pharmacological activities. Based on this review, PR plays a meaningful role in lifespan extension and anti-aging, which can be attributed to PRP. Future research should delve deeper into the structural aspects of PRP that underlie its anti-aging effects and explore potential synergistic interactions with other compounds. Moreover, exploring the potential applications of PR in functional foods and pharmaceutical formulations is recommended to advance the development of industries and resources focused on healthy aging.

Erjingwan and Alzheimer's disease: research based on network pharmacology and experimental confirmation

Background

Alzheimer's disease (AD), a challenging neurodegenerative condition, has emerged as a significant global public health concern. The Chinese medicine decoction Erjingwan (EJW) has shown promising efficacy in AD treatment, though its mechanism remains unclear.

Objective

This study aims to elucidate the mechanism by which EJW treats AD through network pharmacology analysis and in vivo experiments.

Methods

We identified EJW's components using the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology (TCMSP) database and determined AD-related targets from various databases. A network comprising herbs-compounds-targets was established, and EJW's core targets were ascertained through protein-protein interaction (PPI) analysis. This study assessed the cognitive abilities of APP/PS1 mice using Morris water mazes and Y mazes, in addition to analyzing blood samples for triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels. Brain tissues were examined histologically with HE staining, Nissl staining, and immunohistochemistry (IHC) for amyloid β-protein (Aβ) detection. Superoxide dismutase (SOD), reactive oxygen species (ROS), Interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and Interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels in the hippocampal region were measured by ELISA. mRNA expression of apolipoprotein A-I (APOA-I), apolipoprotein B (APOB), apolipoprotein E4 (APOE4), advanced glycation end products (AGE), the receptor for AGE (RAGE), and nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) was evaluated by quantitative PCR (q-PCR). Western blotting was used to detect the expression of AGE, RAGE, NF-κB, and Tau protein.

Results

Screening identified 57 chemical components and 222 potential targets of EJW. Ten core targets for AD treatment were identified, with enrichment analysis suggesting EJW's effects are related to lipid metabolism and AGEs/RAGE pathways. EJW enhanced learning and memory in APP/PS1 mice, protected neuronal structure in the hippocampal region, reduced Aβ deposition, and altered levels of TG, TC, LDL, IL-1β, and IL-6, and the expression of APOE4, AGEs, RAGE, NF-κB, and Tau protein, while increasing SOD, APOA-I, and APOB mRNA expression.

Conclusion

The study identified four core components of EJW-iosgenin, baicalein, beta-sitosterol, quercetin-and ten core targets including AKT1, IL6, VEGFA, TP53, CASP3, for treating AD. Experimental results demonstrate EJW's capacity to modulate lipid profiles, reduce pathological markers such as Aβ1-42, Tau, IL-6, IL-1β, reactive oxygen species, SOD, and enhance cognitive functions in APP/PS1 mice, potentially through inhibiting the AGEs/RAGE/NF-κB pathway.

Discovery of a Novel Chemo-Type for TAAR1 Agonism via Molecular Modeling

The search for novel effective TAAR1 ligands continues to draw great attention due to the wide range of pharmacological applications related to TAAR1 targeting. Herein, molecular docking studies of known TAAR1 ligands, characterized by an oxazoline core, have been performed in order to identify novel promising chemo-types for the discovery of more active TAAR1 agonists. In particular, the oxazoline-based compound S18616 has been taken as a reference compound for the computational study, leading to the development of quite flat and conformationally locked ligands. The choice of a "Y-shape" conformation was suggested for the design of TAAR1 ligands, interacting with the protein cavity delimited by ASP103 and aromatic residues such as PHE186, PHE195, PHE268, and PHE267. The obtained results allowed us to preliminary in silico screen an in-house series of pyrimidinone-benzimidazoles (1a-10a) as a novel scaffold to target TAAR1. Combined ligand-based (LBCM) and structure based (SBCM) computational methods suggested the biological evaluation of compounds 1a-10a, leading to the identification of derivatives 1a-3a (hTAAR1 EC50 = 526.3-657.4 nM) as promising novel TAAR1 agonists.

Polygonati Rhizoma with the homology of medicine and food: A review of ethnopharmacology, botany, phytochemistry, pharmacology and applications

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Polygonati Rhizoma (PR), which contains rich national cultural connotations, is a traditional Chinese medicine with homology of medicine and food. It has been used for a long time as a tonic in China's multi-ethnic medical system, and is also used to treat diseases such as premature graying hair, deficiency of blood and essence, diabetes, hypertension, etc. Meanwhile, PR is often used as food in China, India, South Korea and other Asian countries, which can satisfy hunger and provide many health benefits.

AIM OF THE REVIEW

This paper systematically reviewed the ethnopharmacology, botany, phytochemistry, pharmacology and related applications research of PR, and provided a reference for the comprehensive applications of PR, including basic research, product development and clinical applications. This paper also refined the national application characteristics of PR, such as rich plant resources, special chemical components and anti-hidden hungry, which laid a foundation for its high value and high connotation development in the future.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The literature information was collected systematically from the electronic scientific databases, including PubMed, Science Direct, Google Scholar, Web of Science, Geen Medical, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, as well as other literature sources, such as classic books of herbal medicine.

RESULTS

A comprehensive analysis of the above literature confirmed that PR has been used in the ethnic medicine system of Asian countries such as China for thousands of years. In this paper, 12 species including official species that can be used as PR are summarized, which provide rich plant resources for PR. The chemical components in PR are divided into nutritional components and active components. The former not only contains non-starch polysaccharides and fructo-oligosaccharides, which account for about 50% in PR and are recognized as high-quality diet in the world, but also contains inorganic elements and mineral elements. And a total of 199 kinds active ingredients, including saponins, flavonoids, alkaloids, etc., were sorted out by us. The above ingredients make PR have a special property of anti-hidden hunger. Studies have shown that PR has a wide range of pharmacological activities, such as immune regulation, blood glucose regulation, lipid-lowering, antioxidant, anti-tumor, antibacterial, etc. It has been widely used in medicine, food, cosmetics, gardens and other fields.

CONCLUSIONS

PR, as a classic medicinal material of the same origin, is widely used in the traditional ethnic medicine system. It contains abundant potential plant resources, chemical components and pharmacological activities. This paper also suggests that PR with high application value in food industry, has the potential to become a high-quality coarse grain. Exploring the way of grain and industrialization of PR is beneficial to fully develop the economic value of PR.

Protective effect of Gastrodia elata Blume in a Caenorhabditis elegans model of Alzheimer's disease based on network pharmacology

The aim of the present study was to investigate the protective effect of Gastrodia elata Blume (GEB) against Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) in Alzheimer's disease (AD) through network pharmacology. Firstly, the active constituents of GEB through ETCM and BATMAN-TCM databases were collected and its potential AD-related targets in Swiss Target Prediction were predicted. The potential targets related to AD were collected from the GeneCards, OMIM, CTD and DisGeNET databases, and the differential genes (DEGs) between the normal population and the AD patient population in GSE5281 chip of the Gene Expression Omnibus database were collected at the same time. The intersection of the three targets yielded 59 key targets of GEB for the treatment of AD. The drug-active ingredient-target-AD network diagram was constructed and visualized with Cytoscape software to obtain the core components. Subsequently, protein-protein interaction analysis (PPI) was performed on 59 key targets through STRING database, and Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analyses was performed on 59 key targets. Finally, molecular docking was conducted between core components and core targets using AutoDock software, and the C. elegans AD model was used for experimental verification to explore the regulatory paralysis effect of core components on the C. elegans model, β-amyloid (Aβ) plaque deposition, and quantitative polymerase chain reaction verification of the regulatory effect of components on targets. The GEB components 4,4'-dihydroxydiphenyl methane (DM) and protocatechuic aldehyde (PA) were found to be most strongly associated with AD, and five core targets were identified in the PPI network, including GAPDH, EP300, HSP90AB1, KDM6B, and CREBBP. In addition to GAPDH, the other four targets were successfully docked with DM and PA using AutoDock software. Compared with the control group, 0.5 mM DM and 0.25 mM PA significantly delayed C. elegans paralysis (P<0.01), and inhibited the aggregation of Aβ plaques in C. elegans. Both DM and PA could upregulate the expression level of core target gene HSP90AB1 (P<0.01), and DM upregulated the expression of KDM6B (P<0.01), suggesting that DM and PA may be potential active components of GEB in the treatment of AD.

Network pharmacology and molecular docking integrated strategy to investigate the pharmacological mechanism of palmatine in Alzheimer's disease

OBJECTIVE

The key molecular mechanism of palmatine in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD) was investigated in this article.

METHODS

Network pharmacology techniques constructed drug-target-disease relationship networks and predictive pathways of action. At the cellular level, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was used to induce Raw 264.7 cells to establish an inflammation model, and interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α indicators were examined. Apoptosis was detected using Hoechst 33258. At the animal level, LPS was used to induce AD animal model, and behavioral performance were examined by water maze, and serum biochemical indexes were measured by ELISA. And the expression of PI3K and P-AKT was observed by immunohistochemistry. Finally, molecular level validation was performed using the molecular docking technique.

RESULTS

The result of Network pharmacological was predicted that palmatine may treat AD mainly through the PI3K pathway. Palmatine has no significant effect on Raw264.7 cells viability within 0.05 mg/ml, Palmatine can significantly induce Raw264.7 cells to secret IL-6 and IL1-β in a concentration-dependent manner, but it has not obvious impact on NO and TNF-α. Palmatine has a significant restorative effect on the cell viability of Raw264.7 in a concentration of 0.1 mg/ml. Palmatine can be concentration-dependent to downregulate the secretion of LPS-induced IL-6. At the same time, Palmatine also has a significant effect on the level of TNF-α induced by LPS, it also can slightly downregulate the secretion of IL-1β. The results of Hoechst33258 showed that cells in the 0.025 mg/ml and 0.5 mg/ml delivery groups increased with different degrees of bright blue fluorescence, and apoptosis rate decreased. Animal experiments showed that palmatine effectively improved the learning and memory ability of AD mice. The immunohistochemical results exhibited that the expression of PI3K and P-AKT in the model group decreased, but they were obvious reversed by palmatine The molecular docking results showed that palmatine and key targets had good docking, among which the binding to ERBB2, CDC42, MDM2, and mTOR was the most likely.

CONCLUSION

Palmatine has neuroprotective effects. Palmatine could effectively ameliorate memory impairment in AD mice by promoting the PI3K-AKT pathway. Molecular docking results showed that palmatine has a better binding ability with mTOR.