Network pharmacology reveals the multiple mechanisms of Xiaochaihu decoction in the treatment of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Abstract

Background: Non-alcoholic fatty liver (NAFLD) is a chronic disease worldwide, which poses a huge threat to human health. Xiaochaihu decoction is a well-known traditional Chinese medicine prescription. It has been proven effective in treating NAFLD but its mechanism is still unclear. Objective: Multiple mechanisms of Xiaochaihu decoction are explored by identifying and connecting potential targets and active ingredients in the treatment of NAFLD. Methods: Active ingredients and related targets of seven herbs were collected from TCMSP database. The related targets of NAFLD were obtained from Genes cards database, TDD and OMIM database. The intersected targets of disease targets and drug targets were input into STRING database to construct protein-protein interaction network. DAVID database was used for GO enrichment analysis and KEGG enrichment analysis. Results: After screening and removal of duplicates, a total of 145 active ingredients and 105 potential targets were obtained. PPI network manifested that AKT1, IL6, JUN MAPK8 and STAT3 were the key target proteins. The results of GO enrichment analysis mainly involved cytokine receptor binding, cytokine activity, and heme binding. The results of KEGG analysis suggested that the mechanism mainly involved in AGE-RAGE signaling pathway in diabetic complications, Hepatitis C, fluid shear stress and atherosclerosis. The signaling pathways were further integrated as network manner, including AGE-RAGE signaling pathway in diabetic complications, Fluid shear stress and atherosclerosis, Insulin resistance, HIF-1 signaling pathway, Th17 cell differentiation and IL-17 signaling pathway. The network contained immunity regulation, metabolism regulation and oxidative stress regulation. Conclusion: Xiaochaihu decoction plays a key role in the treatment of NAFLD with multiple targets and pathways. Immunity regulation, metabolism regulation and oxidative stress regulation consist of the crucial regulation cores in mechanism.

Supplementation With Chinese Medicinal Plant Extracts From Lonicera hypoglauca and Scutellaria baicalensis Mitigates Colonic Inflammation by Regulating Oxidative Stress and Gut Microbiota in a Colitis Mouse Model

“…The major indicators of DAI, the colon length, and the ratio of colon length/body weight have shown that DSS exposure can induce classic symptoms of colitis ( Ma et al, 2018 ; Zhao et al, 2019 ; Dong et al, 2020 ; Zhao et al, 2020 ). Over the years, components from Chinese medicinal plants L. hypoglauca and S. baicalensis were widely used for inflammatory diseases, including upper respiratory tract infection, acute and chronic tonsillitis, acute and chronic pharyngitis, and burn infection ( Marafini et al, 2019 ; Hu et al, 2020 ). In the present study, the colitis mouse model was established by drinking 3% DSS water for 7 days.…”

“…Traditional Chinese medicine, extracted from medicinal plants, including Lonicera hypoglauca and Scutellaria baicalensis , showed anti-inflammatory and antioxidative functions ( Hu et al, 2020 ). Studies have shown that medicinal plants may contribute to inflammatory alleviation through inhibiting oxidative stress and regulating the gut barrier and gut microbiota ( Almousa et al, 2018 ; Bai et al, 2019 ; Xiao et al, 2019 ).…”

Tripterygium hypoglaucum (Lévl.) Hutch and Its Main Bioactive Components: Recent Advances in Pharmacological Activity, Pharmacokinetics and Potential Toxicity

“…Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has unique therapeutic advantages in the treatment of a variety of complex diseases and major diseases, such as cholestasis, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, liver fibrosis, and ischaemic stroke ( Jiang et al, 2020a ; Hu et al, 2020 ). The genus Tripterygium contains only 3 species, i.e.…”

Reenvisioning Traditional to Regenerative Therapeutic Advances in Managing Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Diabetes Mellitus

“…Lingguizhugan could also mitigate NAFLD by suppressing the expression of INSIG1 and LPIN1 genes, indicating decreased oxidative stress, cholesterol biosynthesis, and triglyceride accumulation in the liver [ 82 ]. Among various decoctions, the Xiaochaihu, a combination of seven TCMs, is reported to regulate immunity metabolism and oxidative stress [ 83 ]. Further, the modified Xiaochaihu decoction could ameliorate age-associated NAFLD by downregulating mRNA/protein levels of core targets in lipid metabolism and inflammation-related pathways such as fatty acid synthase, acetyl-CoA carboxylase, IL-6, and nuclear factor- β [ 84 ].…”