Investigating Therapeutic Effect and Mechanism of Zhengqi Prescription on Cancer-related Fatigue by UPLC-MS and Network Pharmacology
10.13422/j.cnki.syfjx.20260503
- VernacularTitle:基于UPLC-MS结合网络靶标分析探讨正气方治疗癌因性疲乏的作用及机制
- Author:
Jianghan YU
1
;
Yiying ZHAO
2
;
Mingsai CHENG
2
;
Yi LU
2
;
Bingxia ZHOU
2
;
Mingxia WU
2
;
Ziying WANG
2
;
Liang CAO
1
;
Yingbo YANG
2
;
Zhenzhong WANG
1
Author Information
1. Jiangsu Kanion Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd./ State Key Laboratory on Technologies for Chinese Medicine Pharmaceutical Process Control and Intelligent Manufacture， Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine， Nanjing 211112，China
2. Shanghai Tufeng Pharmaceutical Technology Company Limited，Shanghai 201203，China
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Zhengqi prescription;
cancer-related fatigue;
ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole-Orbitrap mass spectrometry （UPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap MS）;
network pharmacology;
phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase （PI3K/Akt） signaling pathway
- From:
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae
2026;32(22):180-188
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
ObjectiveTo characterize the systemically absorbed components of Zhengqi prescription （ZQP） and investigate its therapeutic effects and mechanisms against cancer-related fatigue （CRF） through an integrated approach of network pharmacology and animal experiments. MethodsThe systemically absorbed components of ZQP were identified by ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole-Orbitrap mass spectrometry （UPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap MS）. Network pharmacology was employed to predict the potential targets and signaling pathways involved in the anti-CRF effects of ZQP. A mouse model of paclitaxel-induced CRF， mimicking breast cancer-related fatigue， was established. Mice were administered different doses of ZQP extract. The therapeutic efficacy was evaluated based on fatigue-related indicators， behavioral test results， and energy metabolism parameters. Western blot analysis was conducted to validate the regulation of core signaling pathways. ResultsA total of 48 systemically absorbed components were identified. Network pharmacology analysis revealed 124 intersecting targets （including Akt1） and implicated signaling pathways such as phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase （PI3K/Akt）. Pharmacodynamic studies with the established CRF model demonstrated that ZQP alleviated fatigue symptoms. Specifically， ZQP-treated mice exhibited increased exhaustive swimming time （P<0.05）， prolonged struggling time in the tail suspension test， and enhanced movement duration and distance in the open field test （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Furthermore， ZQP treatment decreased serum lactate and blood urea nitrogen levels （P<0.05， P<0.01）， increased liver and muscle glycogen content （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and upregulated the expression of phosphorylated （p）-Akt and p-PI3K in the gastrocnemius muscle （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionZQP exerts significant therapeutic effects on paclitaxel-induced breast cancer-related fatigue by regulating the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. Furthermore， this study provides a preliminary foundation for subsequent quality control of the formula and further investigation into its mechanism against CRF.
