Shandong Science ›› 2022, Vol. 35 ›› Issue (6): 24-32.doi: 10.3976/j.issn.1002-4026.2022.06.004

• Pharmacology and Toxicology • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Exploration of the rule and network mechanism of traditional Chinese medicine in the treatment of constipation

LIU Shuang1a,1b(), DONG Hong-jing1a,1b,*(), ZHANG Yan-yan2, WANG Xiao1a,1b, LIU Wen-wen1a,1b   

  1. 1a. Shandong Analysis and Test Center;b. College of Pharmacy,Qilu University of Technology (Shandong academy of Science), Jinan 250014, China
    2. Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250014, China
  • Received:2022-01-29 Online:2022-12-20 Published:2022-12-02
  • Contact: DONG Hong-jing E-mail:lius9709@163.com;donghongjing_2006@163.com

Abstract:

The mechanism of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for treating constipation was clarified based on data mining methods and network pharmacology. Articles related to the treatment of constipation with TCM compound prescriptions were retrieved from CNKI, VIP, and WANFANG databases. The articles that met the requirements were selected, and the drug frequency, association rules, and cluster analysis of TCM compound prescriptions were analyzed. The chemical compounds and targets of core TCM were obtained from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform, and the disease targets were retrieved from GeneCards, OMIM, and TTD databases. The potential targets were screened using the Venny platform. The STRING and DAVID databases were used to analyze the potential mechanism. Molecular docking was done using AutoDock software. The results indicated that 85 TCM compound prescriptions were selected. Twenty-five medicine types were used more than 10 times, among which Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma had the highest frequency of use. The result of association rules showed that Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma-Astragali Radix and Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma-Astragali Radix-Angelicae Sinensis Radix were the most supported combinations. The medicines were divided into five categories by cluster analysis. Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma, Angelicae Sinensis Radix, Aurantii Fructus Immaturus, and Cannabis Fructus were regarded as core medicines. Network pharmacology analysis findings revealed that the mechanism of core TCM for treating constipation was chemical compounds acting on AKT1, which then regulated pathways, such as those in cancer, the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, and the p53 signaling pathway, to exert pharmacological effects. This study provided a theoretical basis for TCM compound prescriptions to treat constipation, as well as a new idea for further investigation and development of TCM compound prescriptions.

Key words: constipation, data mining, medication rule, network pharmacology

CLC Number: 

  • R285