The aim of this study was to investigate the mechanism of action of Sanhuang Xiexin Decoction in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD) using a network pharmacology approach. The active ingredients and targets of the Sanhuang Xiexin decoction were examined and screened using the systematic pharmacology database and the analysis platform of traditional Chinese medicine. AD-related targets were retrieved and screened through Gene Cards database, and drug and disease intersection targets were obtained through through Venn diagram.The STRING database was used to obtain the network information of protein-protein interaction (PPI). The Cytoscape was used to construct drugs-active ingredients-target-disease network and PPI,and DAVID database was used to analyze common targets in gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG). Furthermore, the Sybyl-x 2.1.1 software was used for molecular docking validation. The screening yielded 47 active ingredients and 71 related targets. Herein,the main active ingredients were quercetin, β-sitosterol, wogonin, baicalein, rivularin, and moslosooflavone; and the core targets were IL-6,TNF,IL-1β,VEGFA,TP53.The GO function enrichment analysis predominantly involved biological processes including drug response, hypoxia response, positive regulation of cell migration,and positive regulation of nitric oxide biosynthesis.KEGG analysis mainly involved pathways such as cancer pathways, HIF-1 signaling pathways, and TNF signaling pathways.Molecular docking results showed the presence of a relatively strong binding ability between the core target and the core compounds, such as β-sitosterol and rivularin.This study preliminarily explained that the Sanhuang Xiexin Decoction can interfere with AD by modulating HIF-1, TNF, and other signaling pathways, thereby inhibiting Aβ aggregation and tau phosphorylation, blocking acetylcholinesterase activation, and suppressing inflammation.
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