Investigating pharmacological mechanisms of andrographolide on non-alcoholic steatohepatitis(NASH):A bioinformatics approach of network pharmacology

Objective:To investigate the mechanisms of andrographolide against non-alcoholic steatohepatitis(NASH)based on network pharmacology,so as to provide a reference for further study of andrographolide in the treatment of NASH and other metabolic diseases.Methods:The methionine-and choline-deficient(MCD)diet-induced NASH mice were treated by administration of andrographolide,and serum transaminase and pathological changes were analyzed.The network pharmacology-based bioinformatic strategy was then used to search the potential targets,construct protein–protein interaction(PPI)network,analyze gene ontology(GO)and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes(KEGG)pathway enrichment,and conduct molecular docking to explore the molecular mechanisms.Results:The predicted core targets TNF,MAPK8,IL6,IL1B and AKT1 were enriched in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD)signaling pathway and against NASH by regulation of de novo fatty acids synthesis,anti-inflammation and anti-oxidation.Conclusion:This work provides a scientific basis for further demonstration of the anti-NASH mechanisms of andrographolide.