Hepatoprotective Effect Associated with Alkaloids from Corydalis tomentella Franch. based on Network Pharmacology, Molecular Docking and in Vitro Experiment

Abstract

Liver is an important metabolic organ with numerous functions in human body. Hepatitis is defined as the inflammation of the liver tissue, which could lead to acute liver failure, liver fibrosis, liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Corydalis tomentella Franch., a precious herb in China, is often used in the treatment of hepatitis, liver cirrhosis and liver cancer. In this study, 41 isoquinoline alkaloids and derivatives isolated by our lab from C. tomentella and 61 related targets were analyzed by network pharmacology. Their activities were further verified by cell assay evaluated for antitumor activity against HepG2 cells and molecular docking. The results confirmed that the alkaloids from C.tomentella had extensive hepatoprotective effects, and TNF‐α was the key target of hendersinate B methyl ester against acute liver damage by viral hepatitis and HCC, which provided a foundation for further in vivo studies.