Exploring the mechanism of Jianpi Qushi Huayu Formula in the treatment of chronic glomerulonephritis based on network pharmacology

Abstract

This study was to explore the effective components, potential targets, and pathways of Jianpi Qushi Huayu Formula (JQHF) for the treatment of chronic glomerulonephritics (CGN). First, the Chinese Medicine System Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP), GeneCards, and OMIM databases were used to collect the major active components of JQHF and potential therapeutic targets of CGN. Then, functional enrichment analysis was performed to clarify the mechanisms of the JQHF on CGN. Subsequently, molecular docking was simulated to assess the binding ability of key targets and major active components. Finally, quantitative real-time PCR and western blot were performed for experimental verification of cells in vitro. A total of 55 active ingredients contained and 220 putative identified targets were screened from JQHF, of which 112 overlapped with the targets of CGN and were considered potential therapeutic targets. Then, we found quercetin and kaempferol are two key ingredients of JQHF, which may act on the top 10 screened targets of PPI, affecting CGN through related signal transduction pathways. Subsequently, molecular docking predicted that quercetin and kaempferol bind firm with the top 10 core targets of PPI. Further experiment verified some results and showed that JQHF has protected glomerular mesangial cells from lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation by inhibiting expressions of IL6, TNF-α, and AKT1, and activating expressions of VEGFA. Based on network pharmacology, we explored the multi-component, multi-target, and multi-pathway characteristics of JQHF in treating CGN, and found that JQHF could act on IL6, TNF-α, VEGFA, and AKT1 to exert the effect of anti-CGN, which provided new ideas and methods for further research on the mechanism of JQHF in treating CGN.

Exploring the Action Mechanism of the Active Ingredient of Quercetin in Ligustrum lucidum on the Mouse Mastitis Model Based on Network Pharmacology and Molecular Biology Validation

“…Compared with the model group, both TNF and IL6 mRNA expression were significantly lower in the treatment group, thus indicating that quercetin, the main active component of Ligustrum lucidum, played a significant role in suppressing inflammation. A network pharmacology analysis identified two key targets of the formula for strengthening the spleen, dispelling dampness, and resolving blood stasis, mainly including quercetin and kaempferol, and an experiment confirmed that the formula could exert anti-chronic glomerulonephritis effects by reducing TNF and IL6 mRNA expression [29].…”

Identification of Taohong Siwu Decoction in Treating Chronic Glomerulonephritis Using Network Pharmacology and Molecular Docking

“…TNF is a cytokine that mediates inflammatory kidney diseases, such as immune complex glomerulonephritis produced by macrophages and renal mesangial and tubular epithelial cells. 32 Müller et al 33 found that TNF is an important factor in causing nephropathic changes, which is characterized by increased renal cell death and loss of glomerular endothelial cells. Meanwhile, TNF-α can induce tubular epithelial cell transformation and aggravate renal interstitial fibrosis in glomerulonephritis.…”

“…Its clinical manifestations are diverse, mainly proteinuria, hematuria, and edema, accompanied by varying degrees of renal fibrosis damage. 1 CGN progresses slowly, and some patients eventually develop end-stage renal disease, involving multiple system functions of the body. 2…”

“…Its clinical manifestations are diverse, mainly proteinuria, hematuria, and edema, accompanied by varying degrees of renal fibrosis damage. 1 CGN progresses slowly, and some patients eventually develop end-stage renal disease, involving multiple system functions of the body. 2 Angiotensin transferase inhibitors and other medications are mostly used in clinical settings by western medicine to address patients' early symptoms and avoid problems.…”

Identification of Rab7 as an autophagy marker: potential therapeutic approaches and the effect of Qi Teng Xiao Zhuo granule in chronic glomerulonephritis

“…We also used network pharmacology to explore the effective components, potential targets, and pathways of QTXZG for the treatment of CGN (Liu et al. 2021 ). A key characteristic of QTXZG is its multicompound, multipathway, and multitarget composition, which makes it difficult to understand its mechanism.…”