Mechanism of Huangqin in Improving Postoperative Cognitive Dysfunction Based on Network Pharmacology,Molecular Docking and Experimental Validation
- VernacularTitle:基于网络药理学、分子对接及实验验证探究中药黄芩改善术后认知功能障碍的作用机制
- Author:
Ronghua LI
1
;
Liangyu CAI
;
Yongcheng XU
;
Shajin LIU
;
Jingge WANG
;
Ao XUE
;
Minyi XU
Author Information
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords: Huangqin; Postoperative cognitive dysfunction; Network pharmacology; Molecular docking; Experimental verification; Molecular mechanism
- From: World Science and Technology-Modernization of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;27(8):2406-2417
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
- Abstract: Objective To explore the mechanism of Scutellaria baicalensis(Huangqin)in ameliorating postoperative cognitive dysfunction in surgical patients through network pharmacology approaches combined with experimental validation.Methods Network pharmacology was used to screen the relevant targets and pathways of Huangqin in relation to postoperative cognitive dysfunction,followed by molecular docking to verify the affinity of core components with key targets.HT22 cell line of mouse hippocampal neurons was cultured,and an inflammation injury model was induced by LPS stimulation.Huangqin was selected for intervention treatment,divided into five groups:control group,model group,low-dose Huangqin group(10 μmol/L),medium-dose Huangqin group(50 μmol/L),and high-dose Huangqin group(100 μmol/L).After co-culturing for 24 h,the expression of key target proteins HIF1A,MAPK1(ERK2/p-ERK2),and SIRT1 were detected by Western blotting,and the mRNA expression of these proteins was measured by qRT-PCR.Results A total of 27 active components of Huangqin were screened by network pharmacology,corresponding to 379 targets,with 220 disease targets related to POCD,resulting in 35 intersecting genes.Molecular docking results showed that components like baicalein and oroxylin A had strong affinity with targets such as HIF1A,MAPK1,and SIRT1.In vitro experimental results indicated that baicalein significantly downregulated the expression and transcription levels of HIF1A and MAPK1(ERK2/p-ERK2),while upregulating the expression and transcription levels of SIRT1,effectively improved the inflammatory response in HT22 cells and reduced neuronal damage.Conclusion The traditional Chinese medicine Huangqin can reduce the occurrence and development of postoperative cognitive dysfunction by improving the expression of key proteins,controlling inflammatory responses,and protecting neuronal function.
