Study of the Active Components and Molecular Mechanism of Tripterygium wilfordii in the Treatment of Diabetic Nephropathy

Abstract

We aimed to explore the active ingredients and molecular mechanism of Tripterygium wilfordii (TW) in the treatment of diabetic nephropathy (DN) through network pharmacology and molecular biology. First, the active ingredients and potential targets of TW were obtained through the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP) and related literature materials, and Cytoscape 3.7.2 software was used to construct the active ingredient-target network diagram of TW. Second, the target set of DN was obtained through the disease database, and the potential targets of TW in the treatment of DN were screened through a Venn diagram. A protein interaction network diagram (PPI) was constructed with the help of the String platform and Cytoscape 3.7.2. Third, the ClueGO plug-in tool was used to enrich the GO biological process and the KEGG metabolic pathway. Finally, molecular docking experiments and cell pathway analyses were performed. As a result, a total of 52 active ingredients of TW were screened, and 141 predicted targets and 49 target genes related to DN were identified. The biological process of GO is mediated mainly through the regulation of oxygen metabolism, endothelial cell proliferation, acute inflammation, apoptotic signal transduction pathway, fibroblast proliferation, positive regulation of cyclase activity, adipocyte differentiation and other biological processes. KEGG enrichment analysis showed that the main pathways involved were AGE-RAGE, vascular endothelial growth factor, HIF-1, IL-17, relaxin signalling pathway, TNF, Fc epsilon RI, insulin resistance and other signaling pathways. It can be concluded that TW may treat DN by reducing inflammation, reducing antioxidative stress, regulating immunity, improving vascular disease, reducing insulin resistance, delaying renal fibrosis, repairing podocytes, and reducing cell apoptosis, among others, with multicomponent, multitarget and multisystem characteristics.

Transcriptomic in silico analysis of bovine Escherichia coli mastitis highlights its immune-related expressed genes as an effective biomarker

“…Protein Data Bank (PDB, http://www.rcsb.org ) was used for downloading the target proteins. The protein structure and active components were modified by AutoDockTools [ 20 , 21 ]. The processed protein and DEGs were introduced into AutoDock Vina for molecular docking.…”

Efficacy and safety of Abelmoschus moschatus capsules combined with tripterygium glycoside tablets on diabetic nephropathy: A systematic review and meta-analysis

“…Ten studies ( Zhang et al, 2010 ; Du and Gao, 2011 ; Shen et al, 2011 ; Xu et al, 2016 ; Shi, 2018 ; Zhu et al, 2018 ; Ge et al, 2020 ; Wang et al, 2021b ; Su, 2021 ; Yang, 2021 ), comprising 944 patients, talked of Scr as an outcome. Because of high heterogeneity (I 2 = 99%), a random-effect structure was utilized, and the result showed that levels of Scr in the combination group were significantly decreased compared with AM [MD = -15.29; 95%CI: (-28.69, -1.88); p = 0.03] ( Figure 4 ).…”

“…Eight studies ( Zhang et al, 2010 ; Du and Gao, 2011 ; Xu et al, 2016 ; Shi, 2018 ; Ge et al, 2020 ; Wang et al, 2021b ; Su, 2021 ; Yang, 2021 ) contributed to this analysis, and 674 patients were included. The data were analyzed by a random-effect structure because the heterogeneity was high (I 2 = 83%).…”

“…Three studies ( Xu et al, 2016 ; Shi, 2018 ; Wang et al, 2021b ) made random sequence generation by using a random number table. However, one study ( Su, 2021 ) utilized a random sampling method, which was inappropriate and considered a high risk.…”

“…The rest of included studies did not describe the process of generating random sequences and were recognized as unclear risks. Seven studies ( Li, 2012 ; Xu et al, 2016 ; Shi, 2018 ; Ge et al, 2020 ; Wang et al, 2021b ; Su, 2021 ; Yang, 2021 ) previously prepared informed consent of patients along with their family members and approval by the Ethics Committee of the affiliated hospital, either or both of which was acquired, so bias of which was judged as low risk. None of the included studies implemented allocation concealment, blinding of participants, personnel and outcome assessment, and other bias.…”