Network Pharmacology and Molecular Docking Verify the Mechanism of Qinshi Simiao San in Treating Chronic Prostatitis in the Rat Model

Abstract

Background. Using network pharmacology and molecular docking, this study aimed to explore the active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and molecular mechanism of Qinshi Simiao San (QSSMS) in the treatment of chronic prostatitis (CP) and verify our findings in the rat model. Methods. The APIs of QSSMS and the common targets of QSSMS and CP were screened from the TCMSP database. The STRING database and Cytoscape software were used to construct the network graph. The enriched GO and KEGG pathways were displayed by David software and R software. Molecular docking was performed to visualize key components and target genes. In addition, the rats model of CP was established to verify the molecular mechanism of QSSMS. Results. Network pharmacology showed that the APIs of QSSMS mainly included quercetin, kaempferol, formononetin, isorhamnetin, and calycosin. QSSMS alleviated CP mainly through the negative regulation of the apoptotic process, oxidation-reduction process, inflammatory response, and immune response. Molecular docking showed that the APIs could bind to the corresponding targets. QSSMS repaired the pathological damage of prostate tissue, upregulated the expression of oxidative stress scavenging enzymes CAT and SOD, and downregulated the peroxidative product MDA, inflammatory factors IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, COX-2, PGE2, and NGF, and immune factors IgG and SIgA. Conclusion. The APIs in QSSMS may inhibit inflammation in the rat CP model by regulating immune and oxidative stress.

Modified Haoqin Qingdan Decoction Exerts Antioxidant Effect via Activating PI3K/Akt/Nrf2 Pathway on Allergic Asthma Mice

“…Modified Haoqin Qingdan Decoction consists of Qing Hao 4.5g, Huang Qin 9g, Zhi Ke 4.5g, Zhu Ru 4.5g, Chen Pi 4.5g, Ban Xia 4.5g, Fu Ling 9g, Bi Yusan [consisting of Qing Dai, Hua Shi and Gan Cao] 9g, Shen Qu 4.5g, Shan Zha 4.5g, Mai Ya 4.5g with the Latin names Herba Artemisiae annuae, Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi, Fructus Aurantii Immaturus, Caulis Bambusae in Taeniam, Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae, Rhizoma Pinelliae, Poria, Biyu powder [ consisting of Indigo Naturalis, Talcum and Radix Glycyrrhizae], Massa Medicata Fermentata, Crataegi Fructus and Fructus Hordei Germinatus, respectively. The drug was prepared according to the pharmacological experimental methodology of Chinese medicine 11,12 : firstly, the drug was soaked for 30 min, the first decoction was boiled with 10 times the amount of water, boiled and filtered after 40 min of low heat. The second decoction was filtered by adding 8 times the amount of water, boiled and filtered after 40 min of low heat; the 2 filtrates were combined and then the filtrate was concentrated to 1g/1mL of the raw drug solution.…”

The mechanism of ginger and its processed products in the treatment of estradiol valerate coupled with oxytocin-induced dysmenorrhea in mice via regulating the TRP ion channel-mediated ERK1/2/NF-κB signaling pathway

“…Studies have shown that COX-2 is an important rate-limiting enzyme involved in PGF 2α transformation and synthesis, which supports its potential role in the treatment of PD. [16][17][18] Ginger (Rhizoma zingiberis, RZ) originates from Zingiber officinale Rosc. and was first described in the Shennong's Classic of Materia Medica (25-220 C.E.).…”

“…Studies have shown that COX-2 is an important rate-limiting enzyme involved in PGF 2α transformation and synthesis, which supports its potential role in the treatment of PD. 16–18…”