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Cai YL, Zhang F, Dou XX, Zeng HW, Wu GS, Liang YL, Xu XK, Zhao J, Ye J, Zhang WD. Integrated metabolomics and network pharmacology to reveal the therapeutic mechanism of Dingkun Pill on polycystic ovary syndrome. J Ethnopharmacol 2022; 295:115442. [PMID: 35688255 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2022.115442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Revised: 05/17/2022] [Accepted: 06/02/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Dingkun Pill (DKP), a traditional Chinese medicine prescription, was modified from Bujing decoction and Xusijiangsheng pill by the imperial physician in the Qing dynasty (1700' s). It was believed to treat various gynecological diseases by nourishing qi and blood. Accumulating evidence indicates that it is effective in treating polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). However, the therapeutic efficacy and mechanism of action DKP against PCOS need to be further elucidated. AIM OF THE STUDY To investigate the therapeutic effect and action mechanism of DKP against PCOS using an integrated approach of metabolomics and network pharmacology. MATERIALS AND METHODS The rat model of PCOS was established by dehydroepiandrosterone. An integrated metabolomics and network pharmacology strategy was applied to systemically clarify the mechanism of DKP against PCOS. Theca cells were prepared to evaluate the effect of DKP and its ingredients on testosterone synthesis in vitro. RESULTS The pharmacological experiments demonstrated that DKP could effectively convert the disordered estrous cyclicity, decrease the level of testosterone and the luteinizing hormone/follicle stimulating hormone ratio, and inhibit abnormal follicle formation in PCOS rats. By metabolomics analysis, 164 serum endogenous differential metabolites and 172 urine endogenous differential metabolites were tentatively identified. Steroid hormone biosynthesis and ovarian steroidogenesis were the most significantly impacted pathways. Based on network pharmacology and metabolomics studies, the ingredient-target-pathway network of DKP in the treatment of PCOS was constructed. Among the 10 key targets, CYP17A1, CYP19A1, STS, AR, ESR1, and MYC were closely involved in ovarian androgen synthesis. In theca cell-based assay of testosterone synthesis, DKP and its two active compounds (ligustilide and picrocrocin) showed inhibitory effects. CONCLUSION DKP effectively improved symptoms in rats with dehydroepiandrosterone-induced PCOS. The mechanism of DKP in the treatment of PCOS is related to the CYP17A1 enzyme required for androgen synthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying-Li Cai
- Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine Research, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Feng Zhang
- Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine Research, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Xiu-Xiu Dou
- Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine Research, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Hua-Wu Zeng
- School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Gao-Song Wu
- Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine Research, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Yan-Lin Liang
- Guangyuyuan Chinese Medicine Co, Ltd, Shanxi, 030800, China
| | - Xi-Ke Xu
- School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, 200433, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory for Pharmaceutical Metabolite Research, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Jing Zhao
- Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine Research, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China.
| | - Ji Ye
- School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, 200433, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory for Pharmaceutical Metabolite Research, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, 200433, China.
| | - Wei-Dong Zhang
- Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine Research, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China; School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, 200433, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory for Pharmaceutical Metabolite Research, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, 200433, China.
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