A network pharmacology perspective for deciphering potential mechanisms of action of Solanum nigrum L. in bladder cancer

Abstract

Background Solanum nigrum L. decoction has been used as a folklore medicine in China to prevent the postoperative recurrence of bladder cancer (BC). However, there are no previous pharmacological studies on the protective mechanisms of this activity of the plant. Thus, this study aimed to perform a systematic analysis and to predict the potential action mechanisms underlying S. nigrum activity in BC based on network pharmacology. Methods Based on network pharmacology, the active ingredients of S. nigrum and the corresponding targets were identified using the Traditional Chinese Medicines for Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform database, and BC-related genes were screened using GeneCards and the Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man database. In addition, ingredient-target (I–T) and protein–protein interaction (PPI) networks were constructed using STRING and Cytoscape, Gene Ontology (GO) terms and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses were conducted, and then the pathways directly related to BC were integrated manually to reveal the pharmacological mechanism underlying S. nigrum-medicated therapeutic effects in BC. Results Seven active herbal ingredients from 39 components of S. nigrum were identified, which shared 77 common target genes related to BC. I-T network analysis revealed that quercetin was associated with all targets and that NCOA2 was targeted by four ingredients. Besides, interleukin 6 had the highest degree value in the PPI network, indicating a hub role. A subsequent gene enrichment analysis yielded 86 significant GO terms and 89 significant pathways, implying that S. nigrum had therapeutic benefits in BC through multi-pathway effects, including the HIF-1, TNF, P53, MAPK, PI3K/Akt, apoptosis and bladder cancer pathway. Conclusions S. nigrum may mediate pharmacological effects in BC through multi-target and various signaling pathways. Further validation is required experimentally. Network pharmacology approach provides a predicative novel strategy to reveal the holistic mechanism of action of herbs.

RETRACTED ARTICLE: Study on the molecular mechanism of nightshade in the treatment of colon cancer

“…in the Solanaceae . Modern studies have found that nightshade produces an anti-tumor effect and it has been extensively employed in treating multiple tumors [ 4 ]. Existing research results have shown that the anti-tumor mechanisms of nightshade mainly include blockage of the cell cycle, inhibition of cell proliferation and tumor growth, induction of cell apoptosis, and inhibition of epithelial-mesenchymal transformation and tumor metastasis [ 5 ], thereby enhancing the efficacy of radiotherapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and reversal of drug resistance.…”

Network Pharmacology Approach for Medicinal Plants: Review and Assessment

“…Network pharmacology is evolving as a frontier in drug discovery and development as it integrates systematic medicine with information science [ 14 ]. In the beginning, network pharmacology had a vague conception about drug discovery, and perhaps some overhyping of its promises, as found in the early stages of almost all new technologies [ 15 , 16 ].…”

Solasonine Inhibits Pancreatic Cancer Progression With Involvement of Ferroptosis Induction

“…There are more than 20 species forming the Solanum nigrum L. complex species system, of which four species are mainly distributed in China, namely; Lobelia, Lobelia olivacea, Lobelia yellow-fruited and Lobelia red-fruited ( 22 ). Solanum nigrum L. exhibits anti-tumor activities, particularly against breast and bladder cancers ( 23 , 24 ). It has also been shown to be effective in the treatment of colitis ( 25 ), inhibition of liver fibrosis, and exhibits anti-hepatitis virus ( 26 ), hepatoprotective ( 27 ), antipyretic and analgesic ( 28 ), as well as antihypertensive effects.…”