A comparative study on the mechanisms of two classical herbal formulae for rheumatoid arthritis applying cold and heat patterns based on target network
10.16438/j.0513-4870.2018-0519
- VernacularTitle:基于靶标网络分析的治痹寒热经方抗类风湿关节炎作用机制对比研究
- Author:
Wei-jie LI
1
;
Jian-qiu LU
1
;
Xia MAO
2
;
Qiu-yan GUO
2
;
Xiao-yue WANG
2
;
Min-qun GUO
2
;
Yan-qiong ZHANG
2
;
Na LIN
2
Author Information
1. School of Chinese Pharmacy, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100102, China
2. Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China
- Publication Type:SPECIAL REPORTS
- Keywords:
Wu-tou decoction;
Baihu-guizhi decoction;
rheumatoid arthritis;
network analysis;
mechanism
- From:
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica
2018;53(9):1387-1397
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Wu-tou decoction (WTD) and Baihu-Guizhi decoction (BHGZD) as described in the Synopsis of the Golden Chamber have been used extensively for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with apparent therapeutic efficacy. However, characteristics of pharmacological effects and their underlying molecular mechanisms have not been fully elucidated due to a lack of appropriate scientific methodology. In the current study, we performed an integrative approach applying gene expression profiling and network analysis to examine the therapeutic effects and molecular mechanisms of WTD and BHGZD based on adjuvant-induced arthritis (AIA) animal model. Results demonstrated that both WTD and BHGZD could relieve the severity of arthritis in AIA rats, while the significant differences were observed in the changes of the withdrawal response scores and latency time of AIA rats treated with WTD and BHGZD. Mechanistically, our network pharmacology-based investigation demonstrated that the major candidate targets of WTD and BHGZD were significantly associated with several inflammation-immune regulatory pathways, such as Toll-like receptor signaling pathway, T cell receptor signaling pathway, cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, chemokine signaling pathway, B cell receptor signaling pathway, antigen processing and presentation, Fc epsilon RI signaling pathway, natural killer cell mediated cytotoxicity, as well as leukocyte transendothelial migration. In particular, the major candidate targets of WTD were also involved in the regulation of hormone and energy metabolism, which might be imbalanced during RA progression. In conclusion, the current study revealed differences and similarities regarding the effects and network regulatory mechanisms of WTD and BHGZD. These findings may present a scientific basis for elucidation of mechanisms by which WTD and BHGZD alleviates RA.
