Treatment of Gout with TCM Using Turmeric and Corn Silk: A Concise Review Article and Pharmacology Network Analysis

Abstract

Objective. This work aimed to study the compounds, targets, and pathways of turmeric and corn silk for gout and to explore the mechanism of “the same disease with different treatments” based on network pharmacology and molecular docking. Methods. We used the TCMSP, PubChem, and SEA databases to screen the compounds and targets of turmeric and corn silk, gout-related proteins through TTD, Drugbank, DisGeNET, GeneCards, OMIM, and PharmGkb, and used Cytoscape to construct a “compound-target-disease” network. Then, we constructed a protein-protein interaction network (PPI) and used Metascape to perform GO and KEGG analysis. Finally, molecular docking (SYBYL) was used to verify the degree of binding between key targets and compounds. Results. We found bisacumol, campesterol, and stigmasterol to be the main turmeric compounds that exerted a marked effect on gout treatment by targeting protein processing in the endoplasmic reticulum through the HSPA1B, HSP90AB1, and STUB1 proteins. The main corn silk compound, Mandenol, treated gout by targeting the Hippo signaling pathway through the CTNNB1, YWHAG, and YWHAZ proteins. Conclusion. Turmeric and corn silk can treat the same disease, gout, through different pathways and targets. The scientific connotation of “same disease with different treatments” can be preliminarily clarified by analyzing targets and pathways.

An Umbrella Insight into the Phytochemistry Features and Biological Activities of Corn Silk: A Narrative Review

“…The pathogenesis of gout is directly related to increased purine synthesis or high levels of uric acid in the blood. Recently, scholars have conducted a series of studies on the pharmacological effects of corn silk against gout [ 70 ]. Li Ping et al [ 71 ] showed that corn silk flavonoid extract at doses of 0.25 g/100 g, 0.5 g/100 g, and 1.0 g/100 g reduces the serum levels of interleukin-1β and uric acid in rats, indicating that corn silk can treat the joint swelling found in acutely gouty arthritis rats.…”

Stigmasterol and barasertib target cuproptosis-related prognostic model for the synergistic treatment of breast cancer.

“…Traditional Chinese medicine has used turmeric to treat several ailments, including tumors [22]. A common unsaturated phytosterol found in many plants, including turmeric, stigmasterol is a member of the tetracyclic triterpene class [23,24]. Several health advantages and pharmacological properties of stigmasterol, such as anti-in ammatory, antioxidant, and anticancer activities, have been demonstrated [25].…”