Diosgenin From Dioscorea Nipponica Rhizoma Against Graves’ Disease—On Network Pharmacology and Experimental Evaluation

Abstract

Dioscorea nipponica rhizoma (DNR) is commonly used for the cure of hyperthyroidism resulting from Graves’ disease (GD) or thyroid nodules. However, its therapeutic mechanism remains unclear. This study aimed to utilize network pharmacology integrated molecular docking and experimental verification to reveal the potential pharmacological mechanism of DNR against GD. First, the active componds of DNR were collected from the HERB database and a literature search was conducted. Then, according to multisource database, the predicted genes of DNR and GD were collected to generate networks. The analysis of protein–protein interaction and GO enrichment and KEGG pathway were employed to discover main mechanisms associated with therapeutic targets. Moreover, molecular docking simulation was applied in order to verify the interactions between the drug and target. Finally, our experiments validated the ameliorated effects of diosgenin, the main component of DNR, in terms of phosphorylation deactivation in IGF-1R, which in turn inhibited the phosphorylation and activation of PI3K-AKT and Rap1-MEK signaling pathways, promoting cell apoptosis and GD remission. Our present study provided a foundation for further investigation of the in-depth mechanisms of diosgenin in GD and will provide new scientific evidence for clinical application.

Network Pharmacology Deciphers the Action of Bioactive Polypeptide in Attenuating Inflammatory Osteolysis via the Suppression of Oxidative Stress and Restoration of Bone Remodeling Balance

“…Then, the putative targets of D7 mapped to the inflammatory osteolysis-related targets to acquire overlapping targets. A Venn diagram was obtained with the Venn diagram website ( http://bioinformatics.psb.ugent.be/webtools/Venn/ ) [ 26 ] to identify the intersection of D7 and inflammatory osteolysis [ 27 ].…”

Current and promising therapies based on the pathogenesis of Graves’ ophthalmopathy

“…In addition, Dio has demonstrated inhibitory effects on the activation and phosphorylation of Rap1-mitogen-activated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (MEK) and PI3K-AKT signaling pathways and promoted cell apoptosis and GD remission. In terms of phosphorylation deactivation in IGF-1R, Dio promoted Nthy-ori three to one cells (normal thyroid cells) apoptosis in vitro and relieved GD in rats ( Xin et al, 2021 ).…”

Puerarin inhibits inflammation and oxidative stress in female BALB/c mouse models of Graves’ disease

“…Studies have reported that TSAb can regulate the proliferation activity of thyroid cells via the PI3K/AKT pathway ( 10 , 11 ). Chinese medicine for hyperthyroidism primarily modulates the proliferation and apoptosis of thyroid cells through regulation of the PI3K/AKT pathway to effectively treat GD ( 12 - 14 ). Furthermore, certain studies suggest that AKT can interact with heat shock protein (HSP) to exert diverse influences on cell signaling mechanisms.…”