Analysis of Lavandulyl Flavonoids from Sophora flavescens with Antiinflammatory Activity Based on Molecular Network Technology

[Objectives]This study was conducted to screen lavandulyl flavonoids with anti-inflammatory activity from Sophora flavescens.[Methods]35 compounds were screened from traditional Chinese medicine S.flavescens using the nitric oxide(NO)anti-inflammatory activity model.[Results]Five components,8(xanthohumol),13(kurarinol),27(4-methoxysalicylic acid),28(b-resorcic acid)and 30(b-resorcic acid),exhibited significant anti-inflammatory activity,with IC 50 values of 5.99,4.76,6.96,3.41 and 5.22μM,respectively.Especially,8(xanthohumol)and 13(kurarinol)were typical lavandulyl flavonoids in S.flavescens,which were worth further exploration.Furthermore,UPLC-Q-Exactive and GNPS molecular networking technique were used for rapid analysis of lavandulyl flavonoids from S.flavescens.A total of 15 components were identified.[Conclusions]This work lays a theoretical foundation for further separation and analysis of lavandulyl flavonoids with anti-inflammatory activity from S.flavescens.

Chemical diversity of scleractinian corals revealed by untargeted metabolomics and molecular networking

The chemical diversity of scleractinian corals is closely related to their physiological,ecological,and evolutionary status,and can be influenced by both genetic background and environmental variables.To investigate intraspecific variation in the metabolites of these corals,the metabolomes of four species(Pocillopora meandrina,Seriatopora hystrix,Acropora formosa,and Fungia fungites)from the South China Sea were analyzed using untargeted mass spectrometry-based metabolomics.The results showed that a variety of metabolites,including amino acids,peptides,lipids,and other small molecules,were differentially distributed among the four species,leading to their significant separation in principal component analysis and hierarchical clustering plots.The higher content of storage lipids in branching corals(P.meandrina,S.hystrix,and A.formosa)compared to the solitary coral(F.fungites)may be due to the high densities of zooxanthellae in their tissues.The high content of aromatic amino acids in P.meandrina may help the coral protect against ultraviolet damage and promote growth in shallow seawater,while nitrogen-rich compounds may enable S.hystrix to survive in various challenging environments.The metabolites enriched in F.fungites,including amino acids,dipeptides,phospholipids,and other small molecules,may be related to the composition of the coral's mucus and its life-history,such as its ability to move freely and live solitarily.Studying the chemical diversity of scleractinian corals not only provides insight into their environmental adaptation,but also holds potential for the chemotaxonomy of corals and the discovery of novel bioactive natural products.

Comparing the mechanism of four classic Gualou-Xiebai prescriptions for cardiovascular diseases with phlegm and blood stasis syndrome based on molecular network modeling

Background:Four classical Traditional Chinese Medicine prescriptions,namely Gualou Xiebai Baijiu decoction,Gualou Xiebai Banxia decoction(GLXBBX),Zhishi Xiebai Guizhi decoction(ZSXBGZ)and Danlou prescription(DL),have been frequently used for treatment of phlegm and blood stasis syndrome(PBSS)-related cardiovascular diseases.However,its therapeutic mechanism has not been clearly elucidated.This study aimed to explore PBSS and its molecular mechanism,clarify and compare the mechanisms of four prescriptions in treating PBSS-related diseases.Method:In this study,we collected four prescriptions’compounds,predicted therapeutic targets,and enriched pathways which were based on network pharmacology.Then,we analysed the commen and different mechanisms by combing the network of components,targets and pathways.Finally,molecular docking was engaged to assess the binding potential of key compounds and hub targets.Results:We showed that four prescriptions’intersection genes(VEGFA,SRC,EGFR,etc.)were commonly enriched in PI3K-AKT signaling pathway,HIF-1 signaling pathway,etc.In addition,platelet activation and cAMP signaling pathway were singly enriched from the GLXBBX through unique compounds 12,13-epoxy-9-hydroxynonadeca-7,10-dienoic acid and Cyclo(L-tyrosyl-L-phenylalanyl).These bioactive compounds may exert GLXBBX’s unique pharmacological pathways via involving in mediating PPARA,PTGER3,etc.Sphingolipid signaling pathway was singly enriched from the ZSXBGZ through unique compounds tetramethoxyluteolin,ergosterol peroxide,etc.These bioactive compounds could mediate ADORA1,ADORA3 and TNFRSF1A to regulate ZSXBGZ’s unique pharmacological pathways.AMPK signaling pathway was singly enriched from the DL through unique compounds kaempferol,evofolinb,ethyl acid and aureusidin.These bioactive compounds were involved in mediating the main targets of AMPK signaling pathway,such as TNF,TNFRSF1A,etc.Conclusions:Our research demonstrated that GLXB-prescriptions involved in almost all pathological stages of PBSS-related cardiovascular diseases by modulating high-frequency shared pathways and targets mainly through key compounds(quercetin,mandenol,sitosteryl acetate and luteolin,etc.),for example,participate in the process of atherosclerosis,lipid metabolism,inflammation,immune response,thrombosis,inhibit inflammatory factors and platelet aggregation,regulate immune function,vascular function,oxidative stress.In addition to common pharmacological efficacies,there could also be specificities among GLXB prescriptions due to different compounds.For example,GLXBBX tends to regulate the function of vascular and endothelial barrier,prevent thrombosis.ZSXBGZ tends to regulate lipid metabolism and protect the heart from lipid accumulation.DL tends to maintain energy homeostasis and improve inflammation.

Comprehensive profiling of Lingzhihuang capsule by liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry-based molecular networking and target prediction

Objective:Lingzhihuang capsule(LZHC)is a natural product that consists of 10 commonly used medicinal plants,and it is used in traditional Chinese medicine to promote people’s overall health.Previously,LZHC was successfully used as adjuvant therapy for treating patients with cancer.However,the chemical constituents of LZHC and their potential biological functions remain unclear.The aim of this study is to investigate the major bioactive compounds in LZHC and predict their pharmacological targets.Methods:The LZHC constituents were putatively identified by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled with timeof-flight mass spectrometry combined with mass spectrometry-based molecular networking.The targets were predicted using SwissTargetPrediction software,and the associated gene ontology and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes pathways were analyzed using the Database for Annotation,Visualization,and Integrated Discovery.The mass spectrometry-based molecular network and compound-target-pathway network were constructed using Cytoscape 3.8.0 software.Results:We putatively identified 94 compounds of LZHC by mass spectrometry-based molecular networking,including triterpene(the main structural type)and other clusters(ie,flavonoids and organic acids).Our results suggested that multiple pivotal targets were regulated by LZHC,including tumor necrosis factor,nitric oxide synthase 2,glucocorticoid receptor,estrogen receptor,3-oxo-5-alpha-steroid 4-dehydrogenase 2,prostaglandin e2 receptor ep4 subtype,estrogen receptor beta,phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate 3-kinase catalytic subunit alpha isoform,mitogen-activated protein kinase 3,and racalpha serine,which are related to signal transduction,positive regulation of transcription from RNA polymerase II promoters,oxidation-reduction processes,inflammatory responses,and other biological processes.Functional annotation of those targets suggested that several signaling pathways may be regulated by LZHC,such as cancer-related proteoglycans,the PI3K-Aktsignaling pathway,and the cAMP-signaling pathway.Conclusions:Our findings reveal the chemical constituents of LZHC and provided scientific support for the efficacy of LZHC in terms of immune regulation,anti-aging,and tumor suppression.

Deciphering bioactive compounds of complex natural products by tandem mass spectral molecular networking combined with an aggregation-induced emission based probe

Natural products are great treasure troves for the discovery of bioactive components.Current bioassay guided fractionation for identification of bioactive components is time-and workload-consuming.In this study,we proposed a robust and convenient strategy for deciphering the bioactive profile of natural products by mass spectral molecular networking combined with rapid bioassay.As a proof-of-concept,the strategy was applied to identify angiotensin converting enzyme(ACE)inhibitors of Fangjihuangqi decoction(FJHQD),a traditional medicine clinically used for the treatment of heart failure.The chemical profile of FJHQD was comprehensively revealed with the assistance of tandem mass spectral molecular networking,and a total of 165 compounds were identified.With characterized constituents,potential clinical applications of FJHQD were predicted by Bioinformatics Analysis Tool for Molecular mech ANism of Traditional Chinese Medicine,and a range of cardiovascular related diseases were significantly enriched.ACE inhibitory activities of FJHQD and its constituents were then investigated with an aggregation-induced emission based fluorescent probe.FJHQD exhibited excellent ACE inhibitory effects,and a bioactive molecular network was established to elucidate the ACE inhibitory profile of constituents in FJHQD.This bioactive molecular network provided a panoramic view of FJHQD’s ACE inhibitory activities,which demonstrated that flavones from Astragali Radix and Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma,saponins from Astragali Radix,and sesquiterpenoids from Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma were principal components responsible for this effect of FJHQD.Among them,four novel ACE inhibitors were the first to be reported.Our study indicated that the proposed strategy offers a useful approach to uncover the bioactive profile of traditional medicines and provides a pragmatic workflow for exploring bioactive components.

A Novel 3D Supramolecular Network Constructed from [Cu(4,4'-bipyridine)(O_2CMe)_2]_2 Molecular Ladders by Hydrogen Bonding

The title complex, {[Cu2（4,4＇-bipyridine）2（μ-O2CMe）2（O2CMe）2],H2O}n 1, was synthesized and structurally characterized by X-ray crystallography. It crystallizes in monoclinic, space group C2/c with a = 13.4474（5）, b = 11.7566（2）, c = 19.5380（6）A, β = 92.930（2）°, V = 3084.84（16） A^3, Z = 4, Cu2C28N409H30, Mr = 693.64, Dc = 1.494 g/cm^3, F（000） = 1424 and μ（MoKα） = 1.436 mm^-1. With the use of 2062 observed reflections （I 〉 2σ（I））, the structure was refined to R = 0.0769 and wR = 0.2154. In complex 1, the dimeric copper acetate units are linked through 4,4’-bipyridine to yield ID molecular ladders. These ladders are connected via O-H…O hydrogen bonds to generate 2D layers, which are further linked through C-H…O hydrogen bonds to give a 3D supramolecular network.

Molecular network using molecular circuit for drug delivery use

A novel design of molecular networks for drug delivery application using a PANDA ring resonator is proposed. By using the intense optical vortices generated within the PANDA ring resonator, the required molecules can be trapped and moved (transported) dynamically within the wavelength router and bus networks, in which the required drug delivery can perform within the wavelength router before reaching the required destination. PANDA ring is a modified optical add/drop filter. It is a name of Chinese bear, which is used to name the device by the authors. The advantage of the proposed system is that the drug delivery networks can perform within the tiny system (thin film device), where the large molecular drug networks such as ring, star and bus networks are also proposed, in which the applications such as Alzheimers’ and Parkinson diagnosis, blood circulation networks and in situ surgery operation are discussed.

Informatics-based prediction of molecular networks targeted by active ingredients in Danshen (Salvia miltiorrhiza)

Salvia miltiorrhiza (Chinese, Danshen) is one of the most famous traditional herbs, and has been used to treat cardiovascular disease. Despite the wide application of Danshen in China, the mechanisms of its bioactive components are poorly understood. The present study used bioinformatics to identify possible mechanisms by which Danshen treats cardiovascular disease. Possible human protein targets of Danshen were identified in the PubChem database, possible human gene targets of cardiovascular disease were identified in the NCBI database, and then both sets of targets were analyzed using Ingenuity Pathway Analysis to predict molecular networks affected by Danshen in cardiovascular disease. The results suggest that signaling proteins affected by Danshen in cardiovascular disease, which include FASN, PAFAH1B2, PLA2G7, PAFAH1B3 and IL1B, are involved primarily in LXR/RXR activation, atherosclerosis signaling, hepatic fibrosis/hepatic stellate cell activation, acute phase response signaling. The main networks affected by Danshen are predicted to involve in cellular movement, immune cell trafficking, hematological system development and function;DNA replication, recombination, and repair, cancer, hematological disease;cardiovascular disease, organismal injury and abnormalities, tissue morphology.These results identify several specific proteins and pathways that may be affected by Danshen in cardiovascular disease, and they illustrate the power of integrative bioinformatics and chemical fragment analysis for focusing mechanistic studies.

Discovery of unusual phloroglucinol-triterpenoid adducts from Leptospermum scoparium and Xanthostemon chrysanthus by building blocks-based molecular networking

The first phloroglucinol-triterpenoid hybrids,myrtphlotritins A-E(1-5),were rapidly recognized and isolated from two species of Myrtaceae by employing the building blocks-based molecular network(BBMN)strategy.Compounds 1-5 featured new carbon skeletons in which phloroglucinol derivatives were coupled with lupane-and dammarane-type triterpenoids through different linkage patterns.Their structures and absolute configurations were elucidated by comprehensive analysis of spectroscopic data and quantum chemical calculations.Biosynthetic pathways for compounds 1-5 were proposed on the basis of the coexisting precursors.Guided by the biogenetic pathways,the biomimetic synthesis of compound 1 was also achieved.Additionally,compounds 2,3,and 5 exhibited potent antiviral activities against herpes simplex virus type-1(HSV-1)infection,and compounds 2 and 5 displayed significant anti-inflammatory activities on RAW264.7 cells.

Gates joint locally connected network for accurate and robust reconstruction in optical molecular tomography

Optical molecular tomography(OMT)is a potential pre-clinical molecular imaging technique with applications in a variety of biomedical areas,which can provide non-invasive quantitative three-dimensional(3D)information regarding tumor distribution in living animals.The construction of optical transmission models and the application of reconstruction algorithms in traditional model-based reconstruction processes have affected the reconstruction results,resulting in problems such as low accuracy,poor robustness,and long-time consumption.Here,a gates joint locally connected network(GLCN)method is proposed by establishing the mapping relationship between the inside source distribution and the photon density on surface directly,thus avoiding the extra time consumption caused by iteration and the reconstruction errors caused by model inaccuracy.Moreover,gates module was composed of the concatenation and multiplication operators of three different gates.It was embedded into the network aiming at remembering input surface photon density over a period and allowing the network to capture neurons connected to the true source selectively by controlling three different gates.To evaluate the performance of the proposed method,numerical simulations were conducted,whose results demonstrated good performance in terms of reconstruction positioning accuracy and robustness.

Ab initio nonadiabatic molecular dynamics study on spin–orbit coupling induced spin dynamics in ferromagnetic metals

Understanding the photoexcitation induced spin dynamics in ferromagnetic metals is important for the design of photo-controlled ultrafast spintronic device.In this work,by the ab initio nonadiabatic molecular dynamics simulation,we have studied the spin dynamics induced by spin–orbit coupling(SOC)in Co and Fe using both spin-diabatic and spin-adiabatic representations.In Co system,it is found that the Fermi surface(E_(F))is predominantly contributed by the spin-minority states.The SOC induced spin flip will occur for the photo-excited spin-majority electrons as they relax to the E_(F),and the spin-minority electrons tend to relax to the EFwith the same spin through the electron–phonon coupling(EPC).The reduction of spin-majority electrons and the increase of spin-minority electrons lead to demagnetization of Co within100 fs.By contrast,in Fe system,the E_(F) is dominated by the spin-majority states.In this case,the SOC induced spin flip occurs for the photo-excited spin-minority electrons,which leads to a magnetization enhancement.If we move the E_(F) of Fe to higher energy by 0.6eV,the E_(F) will be contributed by the spin-minority states and the demagnetization will be observed again.This work provides a new perspective for understanding the SOC induced spin dynamics mechanism in magnetic metal systems.

Identification of anti-gastric cancer effects and molecular mechanisms of resveratrol: From network pharmacology and bioinformatics to experimental validation

BACKGROUND Gastric cancer(GC)is one of the most aggressive malignancies with limited therapeutic options and a poor prognosis.Resveratrol,a non-flavonoid poly-phenolic compound found in a variety of Chinese medicinal materials,has shown excellent anti-GC effect.However,its exact mechanisms of action in GC have not been clarified.AIM To identify the effects of resveratrol on GC progression and explore the related molecular mechanisms.METHODS Action targets of resveratrol and GC-related targets were screened from public databases.The overlapping targets between the two were confirmed using a Venn diagram,and a“Resveratrol-Target-GC”network was constructed using Cyto-scape software version 3.9.1.The protein-protein interaction(PPI)network was constructed using STRING database and core targets were identified by PPI network analysis.The Database for Annotation,Visualization and Integrated A total of 378 resveratrol action targets and 2154 GC disease targets were obtained from public databases,and 181 intersection targets between the two were screened by Venn diagram.The top 20 core targets were identified by PPI network analysis of the overlapping targets.GO function analysis mainly involved protein binding,identical protein binding,cytoplasm,nucleus,negative regulation of apoptotic process and response to xenobiotic stimulus.KEGG enrichment analysis suggested that the involved signaling pathways mainly included PI3K-AKT signaling pathway,MAPK signaling pathway,IL-17 signaling pathway,TNF signaling pathway,ErbB signaling pathway,etc.FBJ murine osteosarcoma viral oncogene homolog(FOS)and matrix metallopeptidase 9(MMP9)were selected by differential expression analysis,and they were closely associated with immune infiltration.Molecular docking results showed that resveratrol docked well with these two targets.Resveratrol treatment arrested the cell cycle at the S phase,induced apoptosis,and weakened viability,migration and invasion in a dose-dependent manner.Furthermore,resveratrol could exhibit anti-GC effect by regulating FOS and MMP9 expression.CONCLUSION The anti-GC effects of resveratrol are related to the inhibition of cell proliferation,migration,invasion and induction of cell cycle arrest and apoptosis by targeting FOS and MMP9.

Exploring the potential mechanism of WuFuYin against hypertrophic scar using network pharmacology and molecular docking

BACKGROUND Hypertrophic scar(HTS)is dermal fibroproliferative disorder,which may cause physiological and psychological problems.Currently,the potential mechanism of WuFuYin(WFY)in the treatment of HTS remained to be elucidated.AIM To explore the potential mechanism of WFY in treating HTS.METHODS Active components and corresponding targets were retrieved from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform.HTSrelated genes were obtained from the GeneCards,DisGeNET,and National Center for Biotechnology Information.The function of targets was analyzed by performing Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopaedia of Genes and Genome(KEGG)enrichment analysis.A protein+IBM-protein interaction(PPI)network was developed using STRING database and Cytoscape.To confirm the high affinity between compounds and targets,molecular docking was performed.RESULTS A total of 65 core genes,which were both related to compounds and HTS,were selected from multiple databases.PPI analysis showed that CKD2,ABCC1,MMP2,MMP9,glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta(GSK3B),PRARG,MMP3,and phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate 3-kinase catalytic subunit gamma(PIK3CG)were the hub targets and MOL004941,MOL004935,MOL004866,MOL004993,and MOL004989 were the key compounds of WFY against HTS.The results of KEGG enrichment analysis demonstrated that the function of most genes were enriched in the PI3K-Akt pathway.Moreover,by performing molecular docking,we confirmed that GSK3B and 8-prenylated eriodictyol shared the highest affinity.CONCLUSION The current findings showed that the GSK3B and cyclin dependent kinase 2 were the potential targets and MOL004941,MOL004989,and MOL004993 were the main compounds of WFY in HTS treatment.

Exploring the molecular mechanism of Suoquan pill in the treatment of diabetic kidney disease based on network pharmacology,molecular docking,in vitro experiment

Background:Diabetic kidney disease(DKD)is a microvascular complication of diabetes mellitus and is the main cause of end-stage renal failure.Suoquan pills(SQP)has a variety of pharmacological activities and multiple therapeutic effects,and it is used clinically as a basic formula for the treatment of DKD.Methods:Public databases were used to identify SQP compounds and the potential targets of SQP and DKD.A drug-component-therapeutic target network was constructed.Protein-protein interaction network analysis,Gene Ontology functional analysis,and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment analysis were used to analyse the potential molecular mechanisms of SQP based on common targets of drugs and diseases.Molecular docking simulations were conducted to confirm the binding abity of the core compounds to key targets.The efficacy and predicted molecular mechanisms of SQP were validated using cell counting kit-8 assay,flow cytometry,and western blotting with HK-2 cells as a model.Results:Network pharmacology analysis showed that 26 compounds and 207 potential targets of SQP were involved in the treatment of DKD;boldine,denudatin B,pinocembrin,kaempferoid,and quercetin were considered core compounds,and epidermal growth factor receptor(EGFR)and proto-oncogene,non-receptor tyrosine kinase(SRC)were considered key targets.Gene Ontology enrichment analysis indicated that protein phosphorylation and negative regulation of apoptotic processes are important biological processes in the treatment of DKD by SQP.Molecular docking confirmed the excellent binding abilities of boldine,denudatin B,kaempferide,and quercetin to EGFR and SRC.The results of in vitro experiments showed that treatment with an ethanolic extract of SQP significantly protected HK-2 cells from high glucose-induced cell damage.In addition,the SQP ethanol extract inhibited the phosphorylation of EGFR and SRC,suppressed the apoptosis rate,and regulated apoptosis-related proteins in HK-2 cells under high glucose stress.Conclusion:This study systematically and intuitively illustrated the possible pharmacological mechanisms of SQP against DKD through multiple components,targets,and signalling pathways,especially the inhibition of EGFR and SRC phosphorylation and apoptosis.

Exploring the molecular mechanism of action of curcumin for the treatment of diabetic retinopathy,using network pharmacology,molecular docking,and molecular dynamics simulation

Background:Based on network pharmacology and molecular docking,the present study investigated the mechanism of curcumin(CUR)in diabetic retinopathy treatment.Methods:Based on the DisGeNET,Swiss TargetPrediction,GeneCards,Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man,Gene Expression Omnibus,and Comparative Toxicogenomics Database,the intersection core targets of CUR and diabetic retinopathy were identified.The intersection target was imported into the STRING database to obtain the protein-protein interaction map.According to the Database for Annotation,Visualization and Integrated Discovery database,the intersected targets were enriched in Gene Ontology(GO)and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathways.Then Cytoscape 3.9.1 is used to make the drug-target-disease-pathway network.The mechanism of CUR and diabetic retinopathy was further verified by molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation.Results:There were 203 intersecting targets of CUR and diabetic retinopathy identified.1320 GO entries were enriched for GO functions,which were primarily involved in the composition of cells such as identical protein binding,protein binding,enzyme binding,etc.It was found that 175 pathways were enriched using Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment methods,which were mainly included in the lipid and atherosclerosis,AGE-RAGE signaling pathway in diabetic complications,pathways in cancer,etc.In the molecular docking analysis,CUR was found to have a good ability to bind to the core targets of albumin,IL-1B,and IL-6.The binding of albumin to CUR was further verified by molecular dynamics simulation.Conclusion:As a result of this study,CUR may exert a role in the treatment of diabetic retinopathy through multi-target and multi-pathway regulation,which indicates a possible direction of future research.

Mechanistic study of lipid metabolism disorders in diabetic kidney disease treated with GLQMP based on network pharmacology,molecular docking and in vitro experiments

Background:In this study,we used network pharmacology and molecular docking combined with vitro experiments to explore the potential mechanism of action of Gualou Qumai pill(GLQMP)against DKD.Methods:We screened effective compounds and drug targets using Chinese medicine systemic pharmacology database and analysis platform and Chinese medicine molecular mechanism bioinformatics analysis tools;and searched for DKD targets using human online Mendelian genetics and gene cards.The potential targets of GLQMP for DKD were obtained through the intersection of drug targets and disease targets.Cytoscape software was applied to build herbal medicine-active compound-target-disease networks and analyze them;protein-protein interaction networks were analyzed using the STRING database platform;gene ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes were used for gene ontology and gene and genome encyclopedia to enrich potential targets using the DAVID database;and the AutoDock Vina 1.1.2 software for molecular docking of key targets with corresponding key components.In vitro experiments were validated by CCK8,oil red O staining,TC,TG,RT-qPCR,and Western blot.Results:Through network pharmacology analysis,a total of 99 potential therapeutic targets of GLQMP for DKD and the corresponding 38 active compounds were obtained,and 5 core compounds were identified.By constructing the protein-protein interaction network and performing network topology analysis,we found that PPARA and PPARG were the key targets,and then we molecularly docked these two key targets with the 38 active compounds,especially the 5 core compounds,and found that PPARA and PPARG had good binding ability with a variety of compounds.In vitro experiments showed that GLQMP was able to ameliorate HK-2 cell injury under high glucose stress,improve cell viability,reduce TC and TG levels as well as decrease the accumulation of lipid droplets,and RT-qPCR and Western blot confirmed that GLQMP was able to promote the expression levels of PPARA and PPARG.Conclusion:Overall,this study revealed the active compounds,important targets and possible mechanisms of GLQMP treatment for DKD,and conducted preliminary verification experiments on its correctness,provided novel insights into the treatment of DKD by GLQMP.

Exploring the Mechanism of Action of Glyasperin A in Intervening Menopause Based on Network Pharmacology and Molecular Docking Technology

[Objectives]To investigate the mechanism of action of glyasperin A(GAA)in intervening menopause using network pharmacology and molecular docking technology.[Methods]All target names of the active ingredients were screened using TCMSP,3D model molecules converted into SMILES online tool,Swiss target prediction and literature search.The relevant target genes corresponding to menopause were identified using the Genecards database.Venn 2.1.0 was then used to generate the corresponding Venn diagram.Finally,the protein-protein interaction(PPI)network was constructed using Cytoscape 3.9.1 software.The core targets that were screened underwent enrichment and analysis using the Gene Ontology(GO)biological process and KEGG pathways with the assistance of the DAVID database and bioinformatics.The molecular docking was then verified using AutoDock and Pymol software on the core targets.[Results]This study screened 100 target genes of active ingredients.In the PPI network,ESR1 and AKT1 were found to have a higher degree.The GO and KEGG enrichment analyses revealed that the biological processes primarily involved platelet activation,regulation of circadian rhythms,and regulation of mRNA stability.The signalling pathways included hepatitis B,cytotoxicity,and gastric cancer.The molecular docking results indicated that the key active ingredients and proteins bound well,as evidenced by their small binding energies.[Conclusions]Using a systematic network pharmacology approach,this study predicts the basic pharmacological effects and potential mechanisms of GAA in intervening menopause,which provides a foundation for further research on its pharmacological mechanisms.

Mechanism of Anti-tumor Effects of Viola Medicinal Materials Based on Network Pharmacology and Molecular Docking

[Objectives]To explore the relationship between anti-tumor components,targets,and pathways involved in Viola medicinal materials,study its main active components,and evaluate its inhibitory activity.[Methods]Through network pharmacological analysis,molecular docking simulation experiments and in vitro experiments,the main components and corresponding targets of Viola were screened out,and their anti-tumor signaling pathways were confirmed.MTT colorimetric assay was used to investigate the inhibitory effect of different extraction layers of Viola on the growth of tumor cells.[Results]18 anti-tumor active components such as 2α,19α-Dihydroxyursolic acid,Corlumine,Madolin U,Trifolirhizin and etc.,and 52 action targets such as PTGS2,PTGS1,P2RX7,MMP1,and GABRB3,and anti-tumor signaling pathways were confirmed.The results of molecular docking showed that all the selected Viola compounds had good binding activity.The results of MTT colorimetric assay showed that the petroleum ether layer and n-butanol layer had a good inhibitory effect on the growth of tumor cell lines.[Conclusions]Viola medicinal materials have the potential of anti-tumor,triterpenoids and flavonoids may be the main active components,and the petroleum ether layer and n-butanol layer have better inhibitory effect on the growth of tumor cells.

Based on network pharmacology,molecular docking and experimental validation to reveal the potential molecular mechanism of quercetin for the treatment of diarrheal irritable bowel syndrome

Objective:To explore the potential mechanism of action of quercetin in the treatment of diarrhea irritable bowel syndrome(IBS-D).Methods:The potential targets of quercetin were obtained from the TCMSP,SwissTar-getPrediction,and BATMAN-TCM databases.The targets of IBS-D were obtained by searching the GeneCards database with"diarrhea irritable bowel syndrome"as the keyword,and the targets of quercetin and IBS-D were intersected.The PPI network was constructed by Cytoscape 3.7.1 software.The intersected targets were imported into the DAVID database for GO functional analysis and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis.The binding ability of quercetin to the core targets was observed using molecular docking.Based on this,we established an IBS-D rat model,administered quercetin for intervention,and experimentally validated the network pharmacology prediction results by HE staining and ELISA assay.Results:Network pharmacology analysis showed that TP53,TNF-α,AKT1,VEGF-A,IL-6 factors and MAPK,PI3K-Akt signaling pathway as the core targets and pathways of quercetin for the treatment of IBS-D.The results of animal experiments revealed that quercetin could inhibit the secretion of TP53,TNF-α,AKT1,VEGF-A,IL-1βand IL-6,reduce the inflammatory response and improve IBS-D.Conclusion:Quercetin could protect colon tissue by regulating the expression of TP53,TNF-α,AKT1,VEGF-A,IL-1βand IL-6,thereby treating IBS-D.

Potential pharmacological mechanisms of digallate in the treatment of enteritis based on network pharmacology and molecular docking

Background:In order to investigate the possible pharmacological mechanism of digallate in Galla Chinensis for treating enteritis,providing reference for the search and exploration of effective drugs for treating enteritis.Method:Traditional Chinese Medicines Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform,PharmMapper,DisGeNET,DrugBank,and GeneCards databases were used to obtain drug and disease-related target information.Gene ontology functional annotation and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment were performed,and the main therapeutic pathways and targets were identified by combining protein-protein interaction networks and cytoHubba plug-in.Molecular docking was used to validate the results.Result:297 drug related targets,2436 disease related targets,and 66 target points related to digallate were predicted to be associated with enteritis.10 related signal pathways and 10 key genes were identified.Conclusion:Digallate may be utilized to treat enteritis by acting on similar pathways,such those related to pathways in cancer,lipid and atherosclerosis,proteoglycans in cancer,Rap1 signaling pathway,PI3K-Akt signaling pathway and other targets such as IGF1,EGFR,SRC,IGF1R,PPARG.