NATURAL PRODUCT RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT ›› 2024, Vol. 36 ›› Issue (增刊1): 121-132.

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Mechanism of Xiaoyao Wan in the treatment of liver cirrhosis based on network pharmacology analysis and in vitro experiments

WANG Ning1,2, GE Jin3*   

  1. 1NHC Key Laboratory of Hormones and Development, Chu Hsien-I Memorial Hospital and Tianjin Institute of Endocrinology, Tianjin Medical University;2 Tianjin Key Laboratory of Metabolic Diseases, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300134, China;3Department of Hepatological Surgery, Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang 330008, China
  • Online:2024-09-14 Published:2024-07-17

Abstract:

This study investigates the potential mechanisms of Xiaoyao Wan (XYW) in treating liver cirrhosis using network pharmacology and experimental methods.Gene targets related to XYW and liver cirrhosis were identified from the ETCM database and various human disease databases.Using tools like STRING, ToppGene, and Cytoscape, networks of protein interactions, Chinese herbs-chemical components-target genes, and Chinese herbs-liver cirrhosis pathways were constructed.Key target genes and chemical components were identified.In vitro experiments with the Lx-2 liver fibrosis cell line, treated with key XYW components, showed that the expression of crucial genes was affected.The study found 505 chemical components and 848 target genes associated with XYW.After intersecting with 622 liver cirrhosis genes, 30 overlapping genes were identified.Core genes included ALB, INS, IL1B, IL6, TNF, PPARG, TLR4, ARG1, and GPT.Key chemical components identified were quercetin, saikosaponin, apigenin, and kaempferol.In vitro, saikosaponin and quercetin showed a dose-dependent effect on Lx-2 cells and reduced expression of TNF, IL1B, IL-6, PPARG, TLR4, collagen, TGFB1, and α-SMA.The findings suggest that XYW treats liver cirrhosis through multiple targets and pathways.

Key words: liver cirrhosis, Xiaoyao Wan, network pharmacology, mechanism, signaling pathway, target gene

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