Shandong Science ›› 2025, Vol. 38 ›› Issue (5): 40-48.doi: 10.3976/j.issn.1002-4026.20240121

• Pharmacology and Toxicology • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Topological analysis reveals mechanism of Panax notoginseng saponin in the treatment of gouty arthritis based on network pharmacology and in vitro experiments

GUO Yingjian1,2a,2b(), YU Jinqian2a,2b, DONG Hongjing1,2a,2b, WANG Chuangchuang1,2a,2b, ZHONG Kai2a,2b, WANG Xiao1,2a,2b,*()   

  1. 1. College of Pharmacy,Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine,Jinan 250355,China
    2. a. Shandong Engineering Research Center for Innovation and Application of General Technology for Separation of Natural Products,Shandong Analysis and Test Center;b. Key Laboratory for Natural Active Pharmaceutical Constituents Research in Universities of Shandong Province, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences,Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences),Jinan,250014,China
  • Received:2024-10-18 Revised:2024-12-19 Published:2025-10-20 Online:2025-07-01

Abstract:

In this study,we analyzed the active components and mechanism of Panax notoginseng saponin (PNS) in treatment of gouty arthritis (GA) through network pharmacology,molecular docking,and cellular experiments. An in vitro hyperuricemia cell model was established using adenosine and xanthine oxidase to induce HK-2 cells. Moreover,the uric acid-lowering activity of PNS at different doses was assessed. Network pharmacology was used to explore the potential mechanism of PNS in the treatment of GA,and key targets were validated using molecular docking. Results revealed that PNS could inhibit the release of uric acid from renal tubular epithelial cells that was induced by adenosine and xanthine oxidase. In addition,15 key targets related to GA intervention were identified from PNS. Results of Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analyses suggested that PNS may exert therapeutic effects on GA by regulating multiple signaling pathways,such as JAK2-STAT3,AGE-RAGE,and calcium signaling. The molecular docking results showed that the binding energies of each active component with key targets such as STAT3,PTAFR,and IL2 were all lower than -5 kcal/mol,indicating good affinity,which can be used as potential therapeutic targets. This study provides a reference for the use of PNS in the treatment of GA.

Key words: Panax notoginseng saponin, gouty arthritis, network pharmacology, molecular docking, mechanism

CLC Number: 

  • R288