Identification of active ingredients and possible mechanisms of Yijing Decoction in treating diabetic retinopathy based on liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and network pharmacology
10.3980/j.issn.1672-5123.2025.8.02
- VernacularTitle:基于LC-MS及网络药理学鉴定益景汤治疗糖尿病视网膜病变的活性成分及可能机制
- Author:
Limei LUO
1
;
Ting HUANG
1
;
Yanfang CHENG
1
;
Yuhe MA
1
;
Lin XIE
1
;
Jianzhong HE
1
;
Guanghui LIU
1
;
Yongzheng ZHENG
1
Author Information
1. First Clinical Medical College, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou 350004, Fujian Province, China
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Yijing Decoction;
diabetic retinopathy;
liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry(LC-MS);
network pharmacology
- From:
International Eye Science
2025;25(8):1219-1226
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
AIM: To identify the primary active components and underlying mechanisms of Yijing Decoction(YJD)in treating early diabetic retinopathy(DR)based on liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and network pharmacology.METHODS: Active components of YJD were characterized through LC-MS. Components with optimal ADME(absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion)properties were selected as key bioactive candidates. Network pharmacology approaches were employed to predict YJD-DR therapeutic targets. Protein-protein interaction(PPI)networks, gene ontology(GO)enrichment analysis, and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG)pathway analysis were subsequently conducted to predict core targets and networks. Critical targets and pathways were experimentally validated through Western blot.RESULTS: Ten core therapeutic targets were identified, including TNF, Alb, EGFR, STAT3, PTGS2, ESR1, PPAR, MMP9, TLR4, and MAPK. YJD was related to cancer-related signaling, fluid shear stress and atherosclerosis, and neurodegenerative diseases, encompassing key biological processes such as inflammatory response regulation, programmed cell death activation, and enhanced cell migration. Furthermore, Western blot analysis confirmed that YJD significantly inhibited high glucose-induced phosphorylation of STAT3(P-STAT3/STAT3)and ERK(P-ERK/ERK)in rat retinal microvascular endothelial cells.CONCLUSION: This study revealed YJD's pharmacodynamical basis and its multi-component, multi-target, and multi-paths pharmacology. YJD exerts therapeutic effects on DR by coordinately regulating critical signaling pathways and alleviating intraocular inflammation, thus preserving retinal vascular endothelial cells, maintaining blood-retinal barrier integrity, and facilitating retinal neurovascular repair.
