Exploration on the Mechanism of Sanzi Sijun Formula in Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Based on Network Pharmacology and Experimental Validation
10.19879/j.cnki.1005-5304.202502439
- VernacularTitle:基于网络药理学及实验验证探讨三子四君方治疗非酒精性脂肪性肝病作用机制
- Author:
Junyao DING
1
;
Ping HUANG
1
;
Tao LIU
1
;
Lili YANG
1
;
Haiyan SONG
1
;
Peiyong ZHENG
1
Author Information
1. 上海中医药大学附属龙华医院脾胃病研究所,上海 200032
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Sanzi Sijun Formula;
non-alcoholic fatty liver disease;
network pharmacology;
molecular docking;
molecular dynamics simulation;
experimental validation
- From:
Chinese Journal of Information on Traditional Chinese Medicine
2025;32(11):30-39
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective To explore the effects and mechanisms of Sanzi Sijun Formula(SSF)in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD)through network pharmacology,molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation;To carry out experimental validation in vivo and in vitro.Methods The active components and target genes of SSF were screened using TCMSP,TCMIP and TCMIO databases.NAFLD-related targets were screened using the GeneCards database,and the intersection targets were obtained to construct a protein-protein interaction network and screen for core targets.The intersection targets were imported into the DAVID database for GO and KEGG enrichment analysis.Molecular docking was performed using AutoDock Vina software between the key active components of SSF and core targets,and molecular dynamics simulations were conducted using Gromacs 2022 for 100 ns.C57BL/6J mice NAFLD model was established by diet induction.SSF was administered by gavage for 8 weeks.Liver histopathological changes and the levels of non-esterified fatty acids(NEFA)were detected.In vitro NAFLD model was established by inducing AML12 cells with palmitic acid(PA)for 24 hours.SSF-containing serum was added to incubate simultaneously.The lipid accumulation and cell viability were detected.The core targets of SSF intervention in the in vitro and in vivo NAFLD models were verified by RT-qPCR and Western blot.Results Network pharmacological analysis identified 75 active components in SSF and revealed 179 shared targets between these components and NAFLD.Ten main active components including arachidonate,12-senecioyl-2E,8E,10E-atractylodin,cerebrosterol,glycyrrhizol B and sinapic acid,etc.as well as 8 core targets were identified.GO enrichment analysis of targets mainly involved protein phosphorylation,inflammatory response,and apoptosis,while the KEGG enrichment analysis mainly included AGE-RAGE,TNF,AMPK,PPAR and NF-κB signaling pathways.Molecular docking demonstrated that the major active components of SSF exhibited favorable binding affinity and stability with the core targets.Molecular dynamics simulation confirmed the stability of the complex of glyasperin B with AKT1,SIRT1,STAT3,PPARG,and TNF.SSF alleviated the pathological damage of liver tissues in mice NAFLD model,reduced NAS score and NEFA levels in liver tissues(P<0.05).Additionally,SSF reversed lipid accumulation and decreased cell viability of PA-induced AML12 cells(P<0.01).Further in vivo and in vitro experiments demonstrated that SSF significantly reversed the elevated mRNA levels of TNF-α,IL-6,IL-1β and PPARγ and protein expression of STAT3(P<0.05,P<0.01)in NAFLD models,up-regulated the protein levels of SIRT1 and p-Akt/Akt(P<0.05,P<0.01).Conclusion SSF can improve NAFLD of both in vitro and in vivo models.The regulation of multiple targets,such as AKT,SIRT1,STAT3 and PPARG,by its multiple active components,and adjustment of multiple approaches,such as lipid metabolism disorder,inflammatory responses,are involved in the potential underlying mechanisms.
