摘要
Background:Baoyuan decoction is used clinically as an adjuvant treatment for lung cancer.However,the underlying mechanism remains unclear.Therefore,this study aimed to explore the mechanism of action of Baoyuan decoction in lung cancer treatment using network pharmacology and molecular docking technology.Methods:The Traditional Chinese Medicines Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform and SwissTargetPrediction databases were used to screen the active ingredients of Baoyuan decoction and their relevant targets.Lung cancer-related targets were obtained from the GeneCards,Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man,and DrugBank databases.Protein-protein interaction network of the common targets was constructed using the STRING database and analyzed using Cytoscape software 3.10.1.Furthermore,Gene Ontology enrichment,Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analyses and visualization of common genes were performed using the R software.Finally,molecular docking of the selected key ingredients and targets was performed,and the results were verified using AutoDock Vina software.Results:We identified 142 potential active ingredients,3624 potential lung cancer-related targets,and 341 common drug targets.A total of 72 core targets were identified,of which AKT1,TP53,interleukin-6,epithelial growth factor receptor,and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 were key.A total of 4116 items were obtained via Gene Ontology enrichment analyses.Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment analyses revealed 189 related signaling pathways,including the PI3K-Akt,AGE-RAGE signaling pathways in diabetic complications,FOXO,and TH signaling pathways,which are involved in cell proliferation,autophagy,metastasis,invasion,radiation resistance,and chemotherapy resistance in the lung cancer microenvironment.The molecular docking results suggested that the key ingredients had a strong affinity for key targets.Conclusion:This study demonstrates that Baoyuan decoction plays a key therapeutic role in a complex manner involving multiple ingredients,targets,and pathways in lung cancer.Our findings are anticipated to provide new ideas for follow-up experimental research and clinical application.
