A network pharmacology approach to explore the mechanisms of action of Epimrdii Herba-Coicis Semen for treatment of Alzheimer's disease

Abstract

Background: Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) can treat diseases through its “multi-component, multi-target, multi-pathway” mechanisms. Especially have advantages in the treatment of diseases with complicated pathogenesis, such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Tonifying the kidney and strengthening the spleen is one of the common methods of Chinese Medicine to treat AD. The TCM combination of Epimrdii Herba and Coicis Semen can be used as the main drugs of a prescription for tonifying the kidney and strengthening the spleen. However, the mechanisms for Epimrdii Herba-Coicis Semen (EH-CS) to treat AD is vague. The purpose of this study was to explore the mechanisms of EH-CS on AD using a network pharmacological method.Methods: We retrieved the chemical compounds and targets of Epimrdii Herba-Coicis Semen from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP). We screened the active ingredients based on the pharmacokinetic parameters (ADME). The Human Gene Database (GeenCards) was used to obtain disease targets of Alzheimer’s disease. Then we drew a venn diagram to obtain common targets of Chinese medicine and disease. Based on the topological properties, we screened the key targets. The protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed using the STRING database, and the "Traditional Chinese Medicine-active ingredient-target" network was constructed using Cytoscape software. The key targets were respectively uploaded to the Metascape and DAVID database for GO and KEGG pathway analysis.Results: We obtained 31 active compounds for EH-CS. Flavonoids play important roles in the treatment of AD. A total of 29 key targets, including AKT1, MAPK1, and TP53, etc. The biological processes involve response to lipopolysaccharide, neuron death, neuroinflammatory response, etc. The main pathways include TNF signaling pathways, MAPK signaling pathways, PI3K-Akt signaling pathways and other signaling pathways.Conclusion: The network pharmacology method is an effective tool for exploring the mechanisms of TCM. Based on network pharmacology, this study systematically explained the potential mechanisms of EH-CS on AD. It provides a valuable reference for the development of AD drugs.