To explore the medication rule and pharmacological activity of the core combination of chrysanthemi flos,the drug frequency, complex network and association rules of Chrysanthemum prescriptions were analyzed. The network pharmacology research method was used to construct the "herbs-key target-disease" of core combination drugs. Combined with the forecast results, an in vitro cell model was used to evaluate the pharmacological effects of chrysanthemi flos drug combinations. A total of 92 prescriptions containing chrysanthemi flos were obtained, involving 212 herbs, and 32 herbs with frequency greater than or equal to 10.The association rules showed that the sustain and confidence degree of chrysanthemi flos-Glycyrrhizae radix et rhizoma were the highest, and chrysanthemi flos-glycyrrhizae radix et rhizoma-schizonepetae herba, chrysanthemi flos-glycyrrhizae radix et rhizoma-schizonepetae herba-chuanxiong rhizoma, chrysanthemi flos-glycyrrhizae radix et rhizome-schizonepetae herba-chuanxiong rhizome-saposhnikoviae radix were next to each other, respectively. Network pharmacology analysis showed that the core drug combination of chrysanthemi flos-glycyrrhizae radix et rhizoma could treat tumors, digestive system diseases, nervous system diseases and other diseases. In vitro cell activity study showed that the combination of chrysanthemi flos and glycyrrhizae radix et rhizoma had a better inhibition rate on NO levels than the single drug. Compared with the single use of chrysanthemi flos, the combination of drugs showed more significantactivity, reflecting the scientificity of compatibility of TCM in clinic.

The pharmacological method of traditional Chinese medicine serum was used to explore the effect of Banxiaxiexin Decoction (BXD) on the proliferation of different gastric cancer cells in vitro. Additionally,the preparation conditions of BXD drug-containing serums were examined toobserve the pharmacodynamics of gastric cancer cells. Blood was collected at intervals of 30, 60, 90, 120, and 150 minutes after high, medium, and low intragastric gavage of BXD to prepare drug-containing serums. Based on the selected gavage doses and blood collection times, MGC803, MKN45, AGS, and HGC27 cells were exposed to 5%~50% concentrations of drug-containing serum, and CCK8 assay was employed to detect the inhibitory effects of different gavage doses, blood collection times, and volume fractions of BXD drug-containing serum on the proliferation of gastric cancer cells. The test results showed that compared with other time points, all BXD drug-containing serums had the strongest inhibitory effect on gastric cancer cells at the blood collection time of 120 minutes. Compared with the low-dose BXD group, the medium-dose BXD group had a strong inhibitory effect on gastric cancer cells, and there was no significant difference between the medium-dose and high-dose BXD groups. Based on the analysis of the inhibitory effects of 10 concentrations ranging from 5% to 50% on different gastric cancer cells, the IC₅₀ values of all drug-containing serums collected 120 minutes after gavage in the medium-dose BXD group were 20%. Analysis of the inhibitory effects of different gavage doses, blood collection times, and volume fractions on different gastric cancer cells revealed that a medium dose of BXD, blood collection time of 120 minutes,and a volume fraction of 20% had the strongest inhibitory effect on gastric cancer cells. Therefore, the medicated serum with a blood collection time of 120 minutes and a volume fraction of 20% in the medium-dose BXD group had the best pharmacodynamic effect on gastric cancer cells.

Based on bioinformatics, this study validates the mechanism of action of Haitongpi-Tougucao (compound Haitongpi) in inhibiting lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced ferroptosis in rat inflammatory chondrocytes. Bioinformatics tools were used to predict the mechanism of action of ferroptosis in osteoarthritis and identify pathways for validation. The key techniques used were as follows: the detection of ferrous ion content and reduced glutathione (GSH) content using relevant kits; the detection of cell viability and the levels of related cytokines IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) after dosing; and the use of protein immunoblotting (western blot, WB) to detect the protein expression levels of NLRP3, Caspase-1, ASC, and GPX4, a gene that inhibits ferroptosis, related to the NLRP3 inflammasome pathway in each group. The results revealed that the ferrous ion content was significantly decreased,while the GSH content was significantly increased; the ELISA experiment showed that the levels of inflammatory factors IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α were decreased in each group administered with the drug compared with those in the model group; the WB results showed that the expression levels of NLRP3, Caspase-1, and ASC proteins were significantly decreased and GPX4 protein expression levels were significantly increased in each group administered with a specific dosage of the drug compared with those in the model group. Therefore, the compound Haitongpi can intervene in the ferroptosis of inflammatory chondrocytes by mediating the NLRP3 inflammasome pathway, thereby achieving the purpose of osteoarthritis treatment.

Based on network pharmacology, molecular docking, and in vitro experiments, this study explores the molecular mechanism of quercetin against colorectal cancer through the p53 signaling pathway. The drug targets quercetin, and the disease targets colorectal cancer, which was obtained via the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform and Gene Cards database, respectively. The common drug and disease targets were mapped using a Venn diagram, and the protein-protein interaction network map was constructed with the help of the String database and Cytoscape_v3.7.2 software. At the same time, GO and KEGG enrichment analysis, molecular docking, core target expression, and survival analysis were also performed. Finally, cell proliferation activity, level of apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, and changes in the expression of core targets and key proteins of the p53 pathway were detected through cellular experiments. Network pharmacology suggests that AKT1 and TP53 are the core targets of quercetin against colorectal cancer, GO and KEGG analysis demonstrate that quercetin is mainly involved in the PI3K/Akt and p53 signaling pathways, molecular docking demonstrates that quercetin exhibits strong binding activity with the core targets AKT1 and TP53, and TP53 is found to be both highly expressed in colorectal cancerand also affect the survival and prognosis of patients with colorectal cancer. The results of cellular experiments show that quercetin can inhibit the proliferation of HCT-116 cells, induce G₀/G₁ cell-cycle arrest in HCT-116 cells, and promote apoptosis. This mechanism may regulate core targets such as TP53 and AKT1, activate the p53 signaling pathway, participate in the proliferation and apoptosis of HCT-116 cells, and thus function to resist colorectal cancer.

The aim of this study was to explore the potential effective ingredients and mechanism of action of Panax quinquefolius L. in anti-aging based on network pharmacology and molecular docking. The anti-aging activity of P. quinquefolius L. was evaluated in a zebrafish aging model. The active ingredients of P. quinquefolius L. and their potential targets related to anti-aging were screened using databases, and protein-protein interaction networks (PPI) were mapped to screen core targets. Enrichment analysis and molecular docking verification of the core targets were performed. SA-β-Gal staining results showed that P. quinquefolius L. exerted significant anti-aging activity.Database screening identified 11 active ingredients and 53 potential core targets of P. quinquefolius L. in anti-aging, such as AKT1, STAT3, and JUN. The results of GO and KEGG analysis showed that the anti-aging effects of P. quinquefolius L. may involve factors including xenobiotic stimulus response, negative regulation of apoptotic processes, PI3K-AKT signaling pathway, ErbB signaling pathway. Molecular docking results showed that polyacetylene PQ-2 and PQ-2 were tightly bound with their core targets, and tight binding was also seen with AKT1 and HRAS with various active ingredients. P. quinquefolius L. may act on multiple targets such as AKT1, HRAS, and MAPK1 through polyacetylene PQ-2, PQ-2, and other ingredients, and then regulate multiple pathways such as endocrine resistance, ErbB signaling pathway, and other mechanisms to exert an anti-aging effect.Collectively, these dataprovide a theoretical basis for the application of P. quinquefolius L. in anti-aging.

This study aimed to investigate the antifatigue effects and mechanisms of Dioscorea opposita Thunb. polysaccharides (DTPs) on exercise-related fatigue in mice. In a mouse model of exercise fatigue where mice were subjected to exhaustive swimming and fatigue rotarod, changes in exhaustive swimming duration, body weight, fatigue metabolite accumulation, activity levels of related enzymes, liver tissue structure, and muscle glycogen (MuG) and liver glycogen (LG) contents were assessed. The results demonstrated that DTPs significantly prolonged the exhaustive swimming duration and reduced body weight loss, hepatic damage, and serum lactic acid (LD), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels in the mice. DTPs also significantly enhanced superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and MuG and LG contents and significantly reduced aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels. Additionally, in mice administered DTPs, the mRNA expression of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) was significantly upregulated, whereas that of protein kinase B (AKT) and glycogen synthase kinase-3 (Gsk-3β) was significantly downregulated in skeletal muscle. Taken together, DTPs can reduce metabolite accumulation and ameliorate exercise fatigue by regulating the PI3K/AKT/Gsk-3β pathway to promote glycogen synthesis.

The aim of this study is to investigate the mechanism action of indole acetylated high-amylose maize starch in improving ulcerative colitis. Dextran sulfate sodium salt was used to induce acute ulcerative colitis in mice. Indole acetylated high-amylose maize starch was then used to target the colon with the delivery of indole-3-acetic acid. This was combined with the administration of an aryl hydrocarbon receptor inhibitor to analyze the mice in terms of colon length; disease activity index; and levels of interleukin-6, interleukin-10, transforming growth factor β1, myeloperoxidase, and interleukin-22 in the colon, which were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction was used to analyze the relative expression levels of the colonic tight junction proteins occludin, ZO-1, and CYP1A1. Flow cytometry was used to test the ratio of regulatory T cells and T helper 17 cells in the mesenteric lymph nodes. The results showed that administration of indole acetylated high-amylose maize starch significantly alleviated the shortening of the colon length; significantly reduced the disease activity index and the levels of interleukin-6 and myeloperoxidase; significantly promoted the expression of interleukin-10, transforming growth factor β1, interleukin-22, CYP1A1, occludin, and ZO-1; significantly increased the proportion of regulatory T cells; and significantly reduced the proportion of T helper 17 cells. Administration of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor inhibitor weakened the effect of indole acetylated high-amylose maize starch. These results together suggest that acetylated high-amylose maize starch can improve ulcerative colitis by activating aryl hydrocarbon receptors.

Using light chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS), network pharmacology, and animal experiments, we explored the molecular mechanism by which Xinjia Cistanche Tusi Decoction (XJCRTST) promotes follicular development through granulosa cell mitophagy. LC-MS and network pharmacology were used to screen for the main components of XJCRTST and its therapeutic targets and pathways related to hypoovarianism. Female Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into five groups: model group, western medicine group, and XJCRTST high dose, medium dose, and low dose groups. The morphological changes of the ovary were observed through hematoxylin and eosin staining, and the structure and morphology of mitochondria and mitophagosomes in ovarian granulosa cells were observed through transmission electron microscopy. Two hundred and fifty-two compounds were identified in XJCRTST, with 42 potential targets for treating hypoovarianism, and the Gene Ontology enrichment mainly involved biological process (1 168 items), cell composition(45 items), and molecular function(59 items). KEGG pathway enrichment showed that the pathways involved were AGE-RAGE, Prolactin and TNF signaling pathways. Three target genes Parkin/PINK1, HIF1A and MAPK8 were enriched in the Mitophagy-animal process.Animal experiments showed that the number of follicles increased and the atretic follicles decreased in the Chinese medicine treatment group. Electron microscopy found that mitochondrial swelling and mitophagy decreased in the Chinese medicine group. XJCRTST may play a therapeutic role in treating hypoovarianism by regulating mitochondrial function and mitophagy-related pathways in ovarian granulosa cells.

The aim of this study is to reveal the mechanism of Xuefuzhuyu oral liquid in treating thrombotic diseases and to explore its effective antithrombotic active ingredients. The Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology database was used to search for the active ingredients or related components of Xuefuzhuyu oral liquid. A protein-protein interaction network was constructed using the STRING database to obtain the core targets. A “component-target”network diagram was constructured using Cytoscape, which was used to perform topological,GO and KEGG enrichment analyses on core components to predict the antithrombotic mechanism action. Molecular docking was conducted on the key components and action targets according to the degree ranking. 81 core components, such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF), ALB, and AKT1 were obtained via network topology analysis screening.A total of 304 biological processes (BPs), 72 molecular functions, and 41 cell components were analyzed using GO enrichment analysis, and pathway enrichment yielded 80 signaling pathways, such as the coagulation cascade responseand TNF pathway.Molecular docking results showed that Sainfuran, Xambioona, and 7-methoxy-2-methyl isoflavone have good affinity with target proteins ESR1, F2, IL-2, KDR, MET, and MMP3. This study provides a reference for the application of Xuefuzhuyu oral liquid in antithrombotic therapies.

This study investigates the effects of Gandouling (GDL) tablets on ferroptosis in hepatolenticular degeneration in TX mice and their mechanism of action on the ferroptosis of HT22 cells induced by CuCl₂, based on the PKCβII/ACSL4/ ALOX5 signaling pathway. TX mice were divided into five groups: control, model, GDL tablet, Fer-1, and Glutathione. HT22 cells were also divided into five groups: control, model, GDL tablet, Fer-1, and GDL tablet + Fer-1. Hematoxylin and eosin staining was used to detect the pathological changes in the hippocampus tissues of the mice. Western blotting was used to detect the expression of PKCβⅡ, ACSL4, and ALOX5 in the hippocampus tissues and HT22 cells of the mice, as well as the expression of SLC7A11 and GPX4 in HT22 cells. The content of Fe²⁺ in the hippocampus tissues of the mice was detected via microassay. The levels of SOD, MDA, and GSH-Px in HT22 cells were detected by microplate assay. Finally, the expression of PKCβⅡ, ACSL4, and ALOX5 mRNA in HT22 cells was detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Compared with the control group, the hippocampus tissues of mice in the model group showed clear damage; the protein expression of PKCβⅡ, ACSL4, and ALOX5 showed a clear increase; the protein expression of SLC7A11 and GPX4 decreased significantly; and Fe²⁺content increased significantly (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the pathological damage to hippocampus tissues showed improvements in the GDL tablet, Fer-1, and Glutathione group with the effects being noticeable in the GDL tablet group. It was possible to inhibit ferroptosis of HT22 cells in the GDL tablet and Fer-1 group and significantly lower their expression of PKCβⅡ, ACSL4, and ALOX5 protein and mRNA in comparison to the model group(P<0.05). The MDA contentalso decreased significantly (P<0.05) while the SOD activity and the GSH-Px content increased significantly(P<0.05). Thus, GDL tablets can inhibit ferroptosis in hippocampus tissues of TX mice andinhibit ferroptosis induced by CuCl₂ in HT22 cells. Moreover, the ferroptosis mechanism may be related to the down-regulation of the PKCβⅡ, ACSL4, and ALOX5 signaling pathway and the attenuation of intracellular lipid peroxidation.

We used the Gene Expression Omnibus database to identify targets associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and heart failure(HF). Then, we explored the chemical composition and targets of Fritillaria thunbergii-Trichosanthis fructus to determine their potential to regulate COPD complicated by HF. We analyzed the target function and pathway annotation to create a network of tissue-specific protein-protein interactions (PPI).A total of 227 targets were involved in regulating COPD complicated by HF progression through Fritillaria thunbergii-Trichosanthis fructus, including 153 upregulated and 74 downregulated genes.Topological analysis showed that the average median of the PPI network was 0.4, and the average degree value was 1.83, with key targets including RPS23, SNU13, NOL6, ELAVL1. The cellular components were mainly located in the endomembrane system, nuclear endosomes, and extracellular vesicles. Biological processes mainly involved vesicle-mediated transport, microtubule-based motility, and intracellular protein transport.The relevant signaling pathway was the MAPK signaling pathway.MCODE analysis revealed two core clusters: Cluster 1 involves genes such as TKT,ENO1, NCL, and KIF1B, which are involved in regulating the Golgi transport of kinesin and estrogen, and Cluster 2 involves genes such as SIN3B, PHF20, CTBP1, and XPNPEP1, which are involved in the regulation of histone-associated responses.Tissue-specific PPI networks in the auricles, left ventricle, and lungs suggest that the Fritillaria thunbergii-Trichosanthis fructus pairing may affect the progression of COPD complicated by HF through the regulation of the ELAVL1-ENO1-NCL axis.Molecular docking showed that the binding of trichosanic acid, the main active ingredient involved in relieving the chest and dispersing mass, and peimisine, the main ingredient involved in dissipating phlegm and dispersing mass, to the protein targets ELAVL1, ENO1, and NCL was highly stable, and that the binding of peimisine to said three target proteins was stronger than that of trichosanic acid.This indicates that the combination of the two ingredients is first used to treat the lungs and then to regulate the heart, and that they are mutually necessary, resulting in therapeutic effects on both the heart and lungs.

In this study, egg yolk lecithin, cholesterol,and ceramide were used as film-forming materials to prepare collagen ceramide liposomes (CO-CS) by the thin film dispersion method. To optimize the process, encapsulation efficiency was used as the response value, and it was evaluated by influencing factors such as drug-lipid ratio, film-material ratio, ultrasonic time, and hydration time. Results showed that encapsulation efficiency reached 90.73% when the drug-lipid ratio, film-material ratio, and ultrasonic time were 1:16, 4.3:1, and 8.5 min, respectively. Under these conditions, the particle size, polymer dispersity index (PDI), and zeta potential of CO-CS were(206.63±2.06) nm, 0.187±0.010, and (34.90±0.82) mV, respectively. After 60 days of storage at room temperature in the dark, the encapsulation efficiency was 87.2 %. Furthermore, the particle size, PDI, and zeta potential of CO-CS changed to (223.70±1.85) nm, 0.174±0.013, and (33.51±2.10) mV, respectively. In summary, CO-CS produced in this study revealed high encapsulation efficiency and good stability, and the preparation process is reasonable and feasible.

This study aimed to explore the material basis and mechanism of action of Monopterus albus peptides against hyperlipidemia using hyperlipidemic zebrafish model and network pharmacology. Analysis of the ameliorating effects of Monopterus albus peptides on hyperlipidemia was conducted by constructing a hyperlipidemic zebrafish model and measuring the dye staining signal intensity of triglyceride and cholesterol fluorescence intensity changes. Monopterus albus peptides and disease targets were filtered using BIOPEP-UWM, SwissTargetPrediction, GeneCards, STRING, and other databases. Target GO functional enrichment analysis and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis were performed using the DAVID bioinformatics software, and the Monopterus albus peptides-potential target-signaling pathway network and theprotein-protein interaction (PPI) network were constructed. The results showed that Monopterus albus peptides at mass concentrations of 62.5 μg/mL and 125.0 μg/mL significantly reduced the intensity of the triglyceride staining signal (p<0.01) and cholesterol fluorescence intensity (p<0.001) in the vasculature of hyperlipidemic zebrafish. The results of network pharmacology showed that there were 35 potentially active peptide sequences in Monopterus albus peptides, and 21 core targets were obtained by protein interaction analysis. GO and KEGG enrichment analyses indicated that Monopterus albus peptides were mainly involved in biological processes such asregulation of lipid metabolic processes, and exertan antihyperlipidemia effect viainflammation regulation, insulin resistance, and lipid and atherosclerosis channels. Initially, this study confirmed that Monopterus albus peptides have an antihyperlipidemia effect, and revealed that Monopterus albus peptides have multiple active peptide fragments, multiple targets, and multiple channels in the biological process of reducing blood lipid levels, which will provide a theoretical basis and reference for further in-depth research on the material basis of Monopterus albus peptides and their role and application in countering hyperlipidemia.

Based on the gene expression omnibus(GEO) database, combined with network pharmacology and molecular docking technology, we aimed to conduct reverse network pharmacology research from a molecular level to identify Chinese medicine with anti-hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) activity. Relevant targets of HCC were acquired from databases including GEO, GeneCards, Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man, and Therapeutic Target Database. The core targets were identified using the String platform, and the core constituents were screened from the TCMIP(integrative pharmacology-based research platform of traditonal Chinese medicine) and TCMID(traditional Chinese medicine integraive database) databases. The core traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) was ultimately selected through the traditional Chinese medicine systems pharmacology database and analysis platform(TCMSP). Molecular docking technology and cellular experiments were employed to identify relevant screening results. A total of 398 important targets for HCC were found from the disease target databases, from which 8 core targets, 11 core constituents, and 1 core TCM (Puerariae Lobatae Radix) were further screened. Molecular docking results showed that three core constituents (quercetin, genistein, and coumestrol) from kudzu root could spontaneously bind with some core targets (CDK1 and CDC20), and cell experiments demonstrated that the extract from Puerariae Lobatae Radix could effectively inhibit the proliferation of HepG2 liver cancer cells. This study may provide a reference for the research and development of Puerariae Lobatae Radix and offer a theoretical basis for the discovery of its anti-HCC active ingredients.

Network pharmacology, which is highly consistent with the holistic and systematic perspectives of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) with its multiple components and targets, has rapidly developed in the modernization of TCM. Experimental verification is one of the key contents of network pharmacology research. The zebrafish model has a complete system of drug metabolism, as well as a complex in vivo environment and target and pathway regulation mechanisms. Experiments that utilize this model have the advantages of low drug dosage, high throughput, and short cycle time. In recent years, the research mode that combines network pharmacology prediction with experimental validation using the zebrafish model has been widely applied to elucidate the effective substances and mechanisms of action of TCM. This study reviews the progress and development trends in the comprehensive application of network pharmacology and zebrafish modeling, aiming to provide a reference for their application in elucidating the modern scientific implications of the efficacy of TCM.

Zebrafish models have been widely used in various fields such as drug screening, pharmacology, and toxicology research. In recent years, with the implementation of regulations such as the standard for the Evaluation of Cosmetic Efficacy Claims, cosmetic efficacy claims have entered into an era of strict supervision, which has led to higher standards for the scientific nature of the efficacy evaluation models and methods. The skin structure of zebrafish is highly similar to that of humans, with zebrafish also having transparent embryos that are easy to observe. Moreover, efficacy evaluation experiments using zebrafish offer advantages such as minimal sample dosage, shortened experimental cycles, and high-throughput capacity. Consequently, zebrafish have become a popular research topic in the field of cosmetic efficacy evaluation. Based on bibliometric methods, this study analyzes the relevant literature on the use of zebrafish to evaluate cosmetic efficacy over the past decade. The study provides an overview of the progress of the application of zebrafish in cosmetic efficacy evaluation, and examines the development dynamics and trends through comprehensive analysis. This is so as to provide a reference for the application of zebrafish models in the cosmetics industry.

The aim of this study was to investigate the active ingredients and mechanism of action of the anti-inflammatory effect of Mahonia bealei (Fort.) Carr. in Hmong medicine based on network pharmacology and animal experiments. Inflammation models of mice and rats were generated using xylene and carrageenan gum, respectively, and Mahonia bealei (Fort.) Carr. was gavaged (dose of 1.950 mg/kg for mice; 1.350 mg/kg for rats). The active ingredients and their corresponding targets of Mahonia bealei (Fort.) Carr. were obtained using TCMSP, SymMap, SwisstargetPrediction, SEA, and STICH, among other databases, with oral bioavailability ≥30% and drug-likeness ≥0.18. Inflammationrelated targets were obtained through GeneCards, DisGeNET, TTD, DrugBank, OMIM and other databases. The intersection targets of diseases and drugs were determined using Venny 2.1.0, and 10 hub gene were obtained through Cytoscape's MCODE, CytoHubba plug-in and constructed drug-component-target network diagram; Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG), and Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis and molecular docking were performed for the 10 Hub gene. The results of animal experiments showed that Mahonia bealei (Fort.) Carr. could be used to reduce the inflammatory symptoms in mice and rats. The network pharmacological analysis revealed 28 Mahonia bealei (Fort.) Carr. active ingredients, 753 drug action targets, 1 025 inflammatory targets, 225 Mahonia bealei (Fort.) Carr. inflammatory crossover targets and 10 hub genes. The results of GO and KEGG enrichment analysis showed that Mahonia bealei (Fort.) Carr. top ten utilities were predominantly involved in the JAK-STAT signaling pathway, Th17 cell differentiation and some cancer pathways. The molecular docking results demonstrated that 11 active ingredients, including berberine and isoboridine, were successfully docked with 8 targets, including JUN and JAK3. The results of animal experiments showed that Mahonia bealei (Fort.) Carr. has anti-inflammatory effects, and the main ingredients of anti-inflammation include quercetin and berberine, among other compounds, and the mechanism of anti-inflammation may be through the action onIL-2, JAK1 and other targets, involved in JAK-STAT signaling pathway, Th17 cell differentiation, and other pathways of anti-inflammation. The present study initially revealed the material basis and mechanism of action of the anti-inflammatory effect of Mahonia bealei (Fort.) Carr.

This study aimed to investigate the protective effects of the Tibetan medicinal compound Feirepuqing Powder on a zebrafish model in a hypoxic environment and its effect on the hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (Hif1α). Through establishing a zebrafish hypoxic injury model, behavioral and overall lactate changes under hypoxic conditions were investigated. Experiments were conducted using AB zebrafish larvae 72 h after fertilization. In the control group, 100% standard dissolved oxygen (8.4 mg/L) was used, while in the hypoxia group, pure nitrogen (N₂) gas replacement was used to obtain 50% dissolved oxygen (4.2 mg/L) culture water, and the embryos were treated with 50% hypoxic water add different concentrations of Feirepuqing Powder for 24 h. The zebrafish behavioral analyzer was used to record the swimming trajectory for 30 min, and the Zeblab software was used to derive the movement distance and time during the 30 min. Following the experiment, all the zebrafish from both the groups were homogenized and the lactic acid and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) content in their tissue were determined. The changes in the Hif1α expression level of the zebrafish in each group were analyzed via western blot (WB) analysis, and the expression of Hif1α in the caudal fin of each group of fish was compared using immunohistochemistry. The results revealed that compared with the hypoxic control group, 10 to 30 mg/L Feirepuqing Powder group significantly increased the hypoxia-induced exercise distance and exercise time (p<0.05), and relative to the hypoxia-induced lactic acid increase (p<0.001), the lactic acid content of the 30 mg/L Feirepuqing Powder group significantly reduced. When LDH activity was compared with that of the hypoxic group, LDH activity was significantly reduced in the 30 mg/L Feirepuqing Powder group (p<0.05). The WB results revealed that when compared with the hypoxia group, Feirepuqing Powder inhibited the expression of Hif1α (p<0.05). Finally, the immunohistochemical results showed that 10 mg/L of Feirepuqing Powder reduced the expression of Hif1α. The results of this study show that Feirepuqing Powder exhibits a protective effect on induced exercise injuries in an acute zebrafish hypoxic injury model and that its hypoxia-tolerance mechanism is related to the expression of Hif1α.

This study aimed to investigate the effect of copper-induced cell death-related genes on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and to explore active components for treating HCC. The GSE84402 dataset was downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database to obtain the differentially expressed genes associated with HCC, and copper-induced cell death-related genes were retrieved from past literature; the commonalities between the two were considered to obtain HCC-related copper-induced cell death genes. The genes in common were further analyzed for differential expression using the UALCAN (University of Alabama at Birmingham Cancer Data Analysis) portal, the correlation between their expression levels and clinical levels was analyzed using the R language, prognostic value was determined using the Kaplan-Meier plotter, their relationship with HCC metastasis was examined using the Human Cancer Metastasis Database (HCMDB), and their pathological relationship with HCC was explored using the Treponema pallidum hemagglutination test. Lastly, compound prediction and molecular docking were performed. The results showed that compared with the normal group, expression levels of the key copper-induced cell death genes SLC31A1 and DBT were downregulated in tumors, and pathological analysis showed that their proteins were increased in HCC tissues. In addition, these genes were significantly correlated with the clinical correlation variables of sex, tumor stage, and lymph node metastasis. Their high expression was correlated with a good HCC prognosis, whereas low expression of SLC31A1 was significantly correlated with the metastasis of HCC to the adrenal glands and lungs. Finally, the active compounds that may bind to SLC31A1 and DBT were screened, of which resveratrol and folic acid exhibited high docking scores. Hence, it could be concluded that copper-induced cell death-related genes SLC31A1 and DBT play an important role in the development of HCC, and this study provides new theories for the diagnosis of HCC and therapeutic drug research.

To investigate the ameliorative effects of oroxin A on Alzheimer's disease (AD) and the underlying mechanism of action, a zebrafish AD model induced by aluminum chloride hexahydrate (AlCl₃) was used. Wild-type zebrafish AB larvae at 3 dpf(days post fertilization) were divided into different groups, including negative control group, AlCl₃ (80 μmol/L) model control group, AlCl₃ (80 μmol/L) combined with donepezil (6 μmol/L) positive control group, and AlCl₃ (80 μmol/L) combined with different concentrations (5, 10, and 20 μmol/L) of oroxin A test group. At 6 dpf, zebrafish behavior was monitored and analyzed using zebrafish light-dark locomotion test. Aβ deposition in zebrafish heads was assayed by thioflavin S staining. Acetylcholine assay kit tested acetylcholinesterase (AchE) activity. In addition, the expression of autophagy-related genes(beclin1、ulk1b、ulk2 and atg7) was tested by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Molecular docking was performed to validate the interaction between oroxin A and autophagy-related protein(beclin1、ulk1b、ulk2 and atg7). The results indicated that oroxin A significantly relieved the dyskinesia and inhibited Aβ deposition and AchE activity of zebrafish induced by AlCl₃. The expression of autophagy-related genes tended to be normal after oroxin A treatment. This study preliminarily revealed that oroxin A alleviated AlCl₃-induced AD symptoms in zebrafish, where the underlying mechanism of action is possibly associated with activated autophagy, providing a theoretical basis for the clinical application of oroxin A and its related research in treating AD.

Bioinformatics methods were used to analyse the association between stromal cells and clinical characteristics of gastric cancer, and to predict the intervention mechanism of Weifuchun capsule. Gastric cancer biopsy data were downloaded from TCGA database, the stromal score (STRS) was calculated based on ESTIMATE, and the median was used as the basis for grouping, and the association between STRS and patients' clinical information was analysed, and the DEGs were screened as the potential intervention targets. Based on the blood components of Weifuchun capsule, we predicted the drug targets, intersected DEGs with drug targets, and screened the core sub-networks and genes through PPI network and MCODE, and analysed the expression of differentially expressed genes in terms of survival prognosis and different stages of the disease. The drug-taste-intake component-target network was constructed to screen the core components, and ADMET prediction and molecular docking validation were performed. The intersecting targets were enriched by GO and KEGG. The results showed that STRS was significantly correlated with survival time and increased significantly with Stage and T stage, and 1 975 DEGs were analysed; 75 components of Weifuchun capsule into the blood, corresponding to 663 targets, and 107 intersecting targets; and 4 core sub-networks, of which VCAM1, SERPINE1, TLR4, FGF1 were the core target, and SERPINE1, PDGFRB expression correlated with survival time was highly significant (P<0.01), and the differences in the expression of VCAM1, NOX4, PDGFRB, ITGAL, etc. in different Stage phases were highly significant (P<0.01); isocryptoxanthin B, geranylgeranyl O, and bluocalyx methylin were the core components, with good ADMET properties and core target protein binding activity. GO was enriched in calcium ion concentration regulation, calcium ion homeostasis and other entries. KEGG is enriched in calcium signalling pathway, neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction and other pathways. Stromal cells are closely related to survival time and stage, and Weifuchun capsule may inhibit tumour growth, metastasis and delay drug resistance by regulating stromal cells.

Investigating the molecular mechanism of Elephantopus scaber L. in the treatment of ulcerative colitis (UC) based on network pharmacology and molecular docking techniques. The chemical composition of Elephantopus scaber L. was determined based on literature research, the active ingredients were screened using the SwissADME database, and the targets were predicted by SwissTargetPrediction database. The GeneCards, Disgenet, PharmGKB, and TTD databases were used to obtain the relevant targets for UC, and the topological analysis was performed. The Metascape database was used to perform Gene Ontology (GO) function and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) was used for biological pathway enrichment analysis on the candidate targets. In addition, the RCSB PDB database and Chemdraw, PyMoL, AutoDock 4.2.6 was used for molecular docking validation and visualization of core components and key targets. 34 potential targets were screened out, and GO function and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis were performed on the key targets. The results showed that Elephantopus scaber L. can regulate systemic processes, negatively regulate the response to external stimuli, and regulate apoptosis signaling pathways. MAPK3, PIK3CA, STAT3, and JAK2 are regulated by biological processes such as responses to mechanical stimuli. Therefore it participates in the regulation of various KEGG signaling pathways, such as cancer signaling pathway, PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, NF-κB signaling pathway, Helicobacter pylori infection epithelial cell signaling pathway, calcium signaling pathway, etc. to treat UC.The molecular docking results showed that each active ingredient had good affinity to the key targets. The mechanism of Elephantopus scaber L. in treating UC may be related to inhibiting the expression of MAPK3, PIK3CA, STAT3 and other targets, and relieving the inflammatory reaction of colon tissue.

For the identification of potential biomarkers for ulcerative colitis (UC) and prediction of their targeted traditional Chinese medicines, datasets containing human UC and healthy control tissues (GSE179285, GSE206285, and GSE87466) were downloaded from the GEO database. The GSE179285 and GSE206285 datasets were merged, and the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between UC and healthy control tissues were screened using the limma R package. The LASSO regression model and SVM-RFE (support vector machine recursive feature elimination) algorithm were used to identify core biomarkers. The GSE87466 dataset was used as a validation cohort, and the ROC (receiver operating characteristic) curve was used to evaluate the diagnostic performance. CIBERSORT was used to investigate the immune infiltration characteristics in UC, and the correlation between potential biomarkers and different immune cells was further analyzed. Subsequently, the targeted traditional Chinese medicinal herbs were predicted using the HERB database. In total, 157 DEGs were screened out, with 102 genes upregulated and 55 genes downregulated. Functional enrichment analysis showed that these DEGs were mainly involved in IL-17 and TNF signaling pathway, rheumatoid arthritis, chemokine signaling pathway, humoral immune response, neutrophil chemotaxis, neutrophil migration, etc. LOC389023, OLFM4, AQP8, and CWH43 were identified as potential biomarkers for UC, and their diagnostic values were significant in the GSE87466 validation dataset. CIBERSORT immune infiltrate analysis showed significant differences in immune infiltration characteristics between UC and healthy control tissues. High levels of CD4+ memory activated T cells, M1 macrophages, and neutrophils were found in the UC group, while high levels of memory B cells, CD4+ memory resting T cells, M2 macrophages, and resting dendritic cells were found in the healthy control group. Seven traditional Chinese medicinal herbs targeting core biomarkers, including Sojae Semen Praeparatum, Fructus Viticis Cannabifoliae, Herba Equiseti Palustris, Liquor, Sophora alopecuroides L., Cervi Cornu Pantotrichum, and Placenta Hominis, were predicted in the HERB database. The study suggested that LOC389023, OLFM4, AQP8, and CWH43 were identified as diagnostic biomarkers for UC, and the aforementioned seven targeted traditional Chinese medicinal herbs may play a therapeutic role in UC by regulating gut microbiota, affecting inflammation pathways, and modulating the immune system.

Phylloporia ribis, a type of medicinal and edible fungus that parasitizes the phloem of Lonicera japonica rootstock for more than 5 years, has anti-inflammatory and antiviral effects. In this study, four types of liquid media(PD, LPD,MF,LMF) were used for its artificial culture. Furthermore, the effects of different media on the contents of triterpene polysaccharide and adenosine in the biomass were investigated. The results showed that the polysaccharide contents of Phylloporia ribis were high in PD and LPD media (2.910 mg/g and 2.708 mg/g, respectively). The biomass, triterpenoid, and adenosine contents of Phylloporia ribis in LMF medium were 3.280 mg/g, 6.426 mg/g, and 3.182 mg/g, respectively, which were higher than those in the other three media. This study provides a reference for the large-scale artificial cultivation of Phylloporia ribis.

The study aims to analyze the anti-respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) dosing pattern of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) using data mining and network pharmacology, and to explore the possible mechanisms of core TCM. The CNKI database was searched to retrieve TCM prescriptions for treating RSV studies. SPSS Statistics 26.0 was used to classify and explore the qualified TCMs on their frequency, nature, taste, four qi and five flavors and their efficacy. Systematic cluster analysis was performed on the TCMs with a frequency greater than five. The compounds and targets were screened using the traditional Chinese medicine systematic pharmacology analysis platform. The above targets were then matched with the RSV disease targets obtained from GeneCards/OMIM database to obtain the key targets of high frequency anti-RSV TCM. Protein-protein interaction network analysis of the key targets was performed using the STRING platform, DAVID database, and the Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes enrichment analysis. Finally, the Chinese herbal medicine-active ingredient-key target-pathway network was constructed using Cytoscape 3.7.1 software and topology analysis was performed. Ninety-one TCM compound prescriptions were identified which involves 121 TCMs that met the criteria. Among them, heat-clearing drugs, phlegm-relieving, cough-suppressing, and asthma-suppressing drugs were mostly found, with the majority attributed to the lung and liver meridians, mainly cold, warm, flat, bitter, pungent, and sweet. Ephedrae Herba, Scutellariae Radix, licorice, and Amygdalus Communis Vas had the highest cumulative frequency and were clustered into one category. A total of 126 active ingredients of Ephedra Herba, Scutellariae Radix, Glycyrrhizae Radix Et Rhizoma, and Armeniacae Semen Amarum were obtained. A total of 110 anti-RSV key targets were obtained, the core targets include GSR, TP53, SOD1, etc., cancer pathway, fluid shear and atherosclerosis pathway, AGE-RAGE signaling pathway, blood lipids and atherosclerotic lipids, etc.

This research aims to study the mechanism of Xiaoqinglong Decoction in the treatment of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) based on network pharmacology. The traditional Chinese medicine systems pharmacology database and analysis platform (TCMSP) online tool was used to screen the active ingredients of Xiaoqinglong Decoction. PubChem, SwissTargetPrediction, and TCMSP databases were used to obtain the potential targets of eight traditional Chinese medicines. OMIM, DisGeNET, and GeneCards databases were used to obtain COVID-19 and delta variant of COVID-19 related targets. The intersecting targets of eight traditional Chinese medicines and Xiaoqinglong decoction and COVID-19 were screened using online tool Venny 2.1, and a Venn diagram was prepared. The Cytoscape 3.7.2 software was used to construct Xiaoqinglong Decoction-components-(COVID-19)-target network. After using STRING database to collect data, protein-protein interaction network was built online. Metascape database was used for gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis, and the GO and KEGG enrichment analysis maps were plotted using Weishengxin online plotting tool. Molecular docking was performed using the AutoDockTools 1.5.6 software. A total of 169 active ingredients, 1 363 targets of Xiaoqinglong Decoction, and 292 intersecting targets of drugs and diseases were screened. A total of 2 393 biological process, 168 cell components, 264 molecular functions were obtained via GO enrichment analysis. A total of 225 pathways were obtained via KEGG. Molecular docking showed that the core components of Xiaoqinglong Decoction screened in this study combined well with the COVID-19 related targets. Xiaoqinglong Decoction could treat COVID-19 through TNF, AKT1, GAPDH, IL-6, ALB, TP53, IL-1β, VEGFA, STAT3, EGFR, and other targets and participate in MAPK signaling pathway, PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, AGE-RAGE signaling pathway in diabetes complications, and other pathways.

The potential action mechanism of aurantii fructus immaturus and magnoliae officinalis cortex in the treatment of slow transit constipation (STC) was investigated via network pharmacology and metabolomics.The chemical ingredients and targets of aurantii fructus immaturus and magnoliae officinalis cortex were obtained using the traditional Chinese medicine systems pharmacology database and analysis platform. The disease prediction targets of STC were collected through the GeneCards, OMIM, and DisGeNET databases. The intersection targets of ingredients and diseases were obtained using Venn diagrams. The STRING database was used to construct the protein-protein interaction network. The Cytoscape 3.8.0 software was used to calculate and screen the key targets, and then the network diagram of TCM-ingredient targets was plotted. The gene ontology(GO) functional enrichment analysis and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis of the intersection targets were performed using the Metascape database. A loperamide-induced STC mouse model was used in the study. After intragastric administration of aurantii fructus immaturus and magnoliae officinalis cortex, GC/TOF-MS-based untargeted metabolomics of cecal contents was performed to analyze differential metabolites. A total of 24 active ingredients and 106 intersection targets were obtained. The key targets with higher degree values included AKT1, TNF, TP53, IL6, CASP3, and JUN. GO analysis revealed that the possible processes were cellular response to nitrogen compound, cellular response to lipid, positive regulation of protein phosphorylation, regulation of inflammatory response, regulation of ion transport, etc. KEGG analysis revealed the pathways involved in cancer, the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, the calcium signaling pathway, serotonergic synapse, etc. In addition, 21 differential metabolites were found via untargeted metabolomics, including the Akt-associated metabolites nicotinic acid, fructose, and protocatechuic acid. The results suggested that aurantii fructus immaturus and magnoliae officinalis cortex exerted therapeutic effects on STC via multi-ingredient, multi-target and multi-pathway mechanisms, thereby providing ideas and a theoretical basis for future basic research. The active ingredients naringenin and lignan, as well as the key target Akt and its related metabolites, deserves special attention.

To study the mechanism of Guishaozhenxian Tablet in the treatment of temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) based on network pharmacology. Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform was used to retrieve the active ingredients and action targets of Guishaozhenxian Tablet, and the standard gene was transformed using the UniProt database. The OMIM, GeneCards, and DrugBank databases were searched for disease targets related to TLE, and the intersection targets of Guishaozhenxian Tablet in the treatment of TLE were obtained using a Venn diagram. The medicinal herb-component-target network diagram was constructed using the Cytoscape 3.8.2 software, and the core components and key molecular targets were analyzed.Gene Ontology enrichment and the Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes were used to analyze the biological processes and related pathways. The first three key targets and their corresponding top two core compounds were validated using molecular docking. In total, 127 active ingredients and 46 related targets were identified, with 14 ingredients, including β-sitosterol, quercetin, and kaempferol, playing a central role in 11 key targets such as CALM1, SCN5A, and GSK3B. The anti-TLE effect was primarily due to biological processes (regulation of membrane potential, response to drug, etc.), cell components (postsynaptic membrane, dendrites, etc.), molecular functions (channel activity, calmodulin binding, etc.), neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction, nicotine addiction, and other related pathways. Molecular docking results showed that CALM1, SCN5A, and GSK3B had good binding abilities with core compounds. Guishaozhenxian Tablet can reduce oxidative damage; protect neurons; affect ion channels and receptors, intracellular signal transduction, apoptosis, and synaptic structure; and exert anti-TLE effects via multi-components, multi-targets, and multi-pathway coordination.

Based on the research methods of network pharmacology, we discuss the potential mechanism of Wangbi formula in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in this article. The chemical components and action targets of the Wangbi formula were extracted using the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform. The RA-related targets were retrieved from the GeneCards database, the intersection targets of drugs and diseases were obtained using a Venn diagram, and the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network information was obtained using the STRING database. Moreover, the Cytoscape software was used to create the network diagram of drug-active ingredient-target-diseases and PPI, and the common targets were analyzed using Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) from the DAVID database. Furthermore, the Sybyl-x 2.1.1 software was used for molecular docking validation. Screening yielded 32 active ingredients and 99 related targets, and the core targets were found to be IL-6, TNF, ATK1, PTGS2, VEGFA, etc. The GO function enrichment analysis mainly involved biological processes, such as positive regulation of RNA polymerase II promoter transcription, whereas KEGG pathway enrichment analysis mainly involved TNF, T-cell receptor, toll-like receptor, osteoclast differentiation, and other signaling pathways. The molecular docking results revealed that the core components, such as kaempferol, triptolide, naringenin, kaempferoside, and prickly shank anthocyanin, demonstrated good binding activity with the core targets, such as IL-6, TNF, ATK1, PTGS2, and VEGFA. This study provided a preliminary explanation of the multicomponent and multitarget mechanisms that may underlie the Wangbi formula's potential mechanism of action in the treatment of RA.