Chinese and Western Medicine Mechanism of Coptidis Rhizoma-Cimicifugae Rhizoma Herbal Pair in the Treatment of Recur-rent Aphthous Ulcer Based on Network Pharmacology
10.16466/j.issn1005-5509.2024.02.004
- VernacularTitle:基于网络药理学的黄连-升麻药对治疗复发性口腔溃疡中西医学机制探讨
- Author:
Haoxi JIANG
1
;
Junying DONG
;
Ke WANG
Author Information
1. 北京中医药大学 北京 100029
- Keywords:
Coptidis Rhizoma-Cimicifugae Rhizoma;
recurrent aphthous ulcer;
network pharmacology;
molecular docking;
target prediction;
medicine mechanism
- From:
Journal of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University
2024;48(2):154-163,169
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
[Objective]To explore the modern pharmacological mechanisms of Coptidis Rhizoma-Cimicifugae Rhizoma herbal pair in the treatment of recurrent aphthous ulcer(RAU)and analyze the possible traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)therapeutic factors to further guide TCM clinical diagnosis and treatment.[Methods]The Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform(TCMSP)was used to retrieve drug components and targets.Disease-related targets were obtained from databases such as Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man(OMIM)and Human Genome Annotation Database(GeneCards).The intersection of targets was analyzed using the STRING platform for protein-protein interaction(PPI)analysis.The PPI network was visualized using Cytoscape 3.7.2,and core targets were selected.Gene ontology(GO)enrichment analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG)pathway enrichment analysis were performed using the MetaScape database,and a network diagram was constructed.Molecular docking was conducted using AutoDock 4.2.6,and the docking results were visualized using PyMOL software.A rat model of RAU was established by bilateral subcutaneous injection of complete Freund's adjuvant.Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction(Real-time qPCR)was used to detect the expression of core target genes in the oral tissues of rats in each group.[Results]A total of 19 active components of Coptidis Rhizoma-Cimicifugae Rhizoma were screened,along with 191 targets.There were 127 intersecting targets between herbs and diseases,and 23 core targets were identified for RAU intervention.Based on Degree,seven key targets were selected,and the core pathway was the signaling pathway associated with interleukin-17(IL-17)and tumor necrosis factor(TNF).The docking results showed that the core active component stigmasterol exhibited high binding activity with each key target.Animal experiments showed that the herbal pair treatment significantly reduced the number of oral ulcers in rats.Compared with blank control group,the expression of core targets in model group,low-dose group,medium-dose group and high-dose group was significantly higher(P＜0.05).The relative mRNA expression and number of oral ulcers in the high-dose group were significantly lower than those in model group,low-dose group and medium-dose group(P＜0.05).[Conclusion]The molecular mechanisms of Coptidis Rhizoma-Cimicifugae Rhizoma herbal pair in the treatment of RAU are related to its anti-inflammatory,oral mucosal protection and immunomodulatory effects.The relevant TCM therapeutic mechanisms involve heat-clearing and detoxifying,promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis,eliminating toxins,promoting wound healing and other effects.
