Investigation on the Mechanism of Qubi Formula in Treating Psoriasis Based on Network Pharmacology

Abstract

Objective. To elucidate the pharmacological mechanisms of Qubi Formula (QBF), a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula which has been demonstrated as an effective therapy for psoriasis in China. Methods. The Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology (TCMSP) database, BATMAN-TCM database, and literature search were used to excavate the pharmacologically active ingredients of QBF and to predict the potential targets. Psoriasis-related targets were obtained from Therapeutic Target Database (TTD), DrugBank database (DBD), MalaCards database, and DisGeNET database. Then, we established the network concerning the interactions of potential targets of QBF with well-known psoriasis-related targets by using protein-protein interaction (PPI) data in String database. Afterwards, topological parameters (including DNMC, Degree, Closeness, and Betweenness) were calculated to excavate the core targets of Qubi Formula in treating psoriasis (main targets in the PPI network). Cytoscape was used to construct the ingredients-targets core network for Qubi Formula in treating psoriasis, and ClueGO was used to perform GO-BP and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis on these core targets. Results. The ingredient-target-disease core network of QBF in treating psoriasis was screened to contain 175 active ingredients, which corresponded to 27 core targets. Additionally, enrichment analysis suggested that targets of QBF in treating psoriasis were mainly clustered into multiple biological processes (associated with nuclear translocation of proteins, cellular response to multiple stimuli (immunoinflammatory factors, oxidative stress, and nutrient substance), lymphocyte activation, regulation of cyclase activity, cell-cell adhesion, and cell death) and related pathways (VEGF, JAK-STAT, TLRs, NF-κB, and lymphocyte differentiation-related pathways), indicating the underlying mechanisms of QBF on psoriasis. Conclusion. In this work, we have successfully illuminated that Qubi Formula could relieve a wide variety of pathological factors (such as inflammatory infiltration and abnormal angiogenesis) of psoriasis in a “multicompound, multitarget, and multipathway” manner by using network pharmacology. Moreover, our present outcomes might shed light on the further clinical application of QBF on psoriasis treatment.

TCM Treatment and Drug Co-Occurrence Analysis of Psoriasis

“…There are a variety of therapy options. As shown in Figure 6 , some of the considerations that go into their decision-making include the degree of nail involvement and the impact on quality of life, as well as other conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and other comorbidities [ 11 ]. Eventhough topical treatments for nail psoriasis are difficult to find, skin-cleansing systemic medicines work effectively for this condition [ 12 ].…”

Natural Compound Mixture, Containing Emodin, Genipin, Chlorogenic Acid, Cimigenoside, and Ginsenoside Rb1, Ameliorates Psoriasis‐Like Skin Lesions by Suppressing Inflammation and Proliferation in Keratinocytes

“…On the other hand, there are limitations to standardization and internationalization of the traditional multiherbal formula owing to the unclear component and underlying mechanism of action. Therefore, it is important to identify bioactive compounds that are effective in multiherbal formulas for developing quality control methods and uncovering therapeutic mechanisms [ 13 , 24 ].…”

“…When using a traditional multiherbal formula to diagnose and treat psoriasis, rather than emphasizing disease classification, it is based on the patient's Zheng (syndrome type or patterns) [ 14 , 25 ]. Herbal combinations of Rhei Radix et Rhizoma, Gardeniae Fructus, Cimicifugae Rhizoma, and Ginseng Radix are used to treat the symptoms of heat and dryness, the representative Zheng of psoriasis [ 13 , 24 ]. Moreover, the main compounds from these medicinal herbs are known to have anti-inflammatory, antiproliferative, and/or antiatopic dermatitis activity [ 26 – 30 ].…”

“…Such a combination of natural compounds can solve the treatment disadvantage of a single compound and have synergistic effects [ 11 , 12 ]. A previous study found that a combination of compounds can modulate the complex and diverse pathological factors of psoriasis by acting on multitargets [ 13 ].…”

Target prediction of anti-chronic liver injury of Kangxian pill based on network pharmacology

“…We uploaded 165 common targets into STRING database to obtain the interaction information, which was imported into Cytoscape 3.7.2 to conducted PPI network. The magnitude of 'Degree' is proportional to its role in the central correlation 13 .Therefore, the median of 'Degree' was used as a screening condition 14 . A total of 81 potential targets were screened for conducting the PPI network according to the median of 'Degree' greater than 33 (Fig.…”