Exploration of Mechanism of Shaoyao Gancao Decoction Plus Taohong Siwu Decoction in Treating Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy Based on the Network Pharmacology and Molecular Docking Technology
Abstract: Objective: To explore the mechanism of Shaoyao Gancao Decoction plus Taohong Siwu Decoction in the treatment of diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) based on network pharmacology and molecular docking technology. Methods: The Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP) was searched for the active ingredients and related target proteins of Shaoyao Gancao Decoction plus Taohong Siwu Decoction. The target genes of DPN were obtained from DrugBank, PharmGKB, GeneCards, OMIM, and TTD databases. Cytoscape software and STRING database were used to construct the relationship network of the active ingredients-DPN common target genes and the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network of common target genes. The enrichment analysis of Gene Ontology (GO) function and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway were performed using R language software. AutoDock Vina software was used for molecular docking. Results:A total of 161 active ingredients and 184 active ingredient-DPN common target genes were obtained from Shaoyao Gancao Decoction plus Taohong Siwu Decoction. The core active ingredients were quercetin, luteolin, kaempferol, naringenin, 7-methoxy-2-methylisoflavones, and the core target genes were signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), mitogen-activated protein kinase 3 (MAPK3), heat shock protein 90AA1 (HSP90AA1), mitogen-activated protein kinase 1 (MAPK1), and nuclear factor- κB (RELA). The results of GO functional enrichment analysis showed 2 940 GO entries and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis showed 182 signaling pathways. The molecular docking results showed that luteolin had the best binding activity with HSP90AA1. Conclusion:Shaoyao Gancao Decoction plus Taohong Siwu Decoction has the characteristics of multi-ingredients, multi-targets and multi-pathways. Its potential mechanism may be that active ingredients such as quercetin,luteolin,kaempferol,naringenin, and 7-methoxy-2-methylisoflavones act on STAT3, MAPK3, HSP90AA1, MAPK1, RELA, and other target genes, and regulate multiple signalling pathways such as phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K-Akt) signalling pathway, advanced glycation end-products and receptor for advanced glycation end-products (AGE-RAGE) signalling pathway,interleukin-17 (IL-17) signalling pathway,tumor necrosis factor (TNF) signalling pathway, and hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1) signalling pathway, playing a role in treating DPN through fighting oxidative stress, inhibiting inflammatory responses, protecting nerve cells,and improving insulin resistance.