Based on Network Pharmacology and Molecular Docking, the Mechanism of “Angelica sinensis-Chuanxiong” in Treating Acute Ischemic Stroke Was Analyzed
Objective: In this paper, computer network pharmacology and molecular docking techniques were applied to predict the mechanism of action of Chuanxiong and Angelica sinensis in the treatment of acute ischaemic stroke. Methods: The active ingredients and related targets of Chuanxiong and Angelica sinensis were screened by TCMSP database, and the related targets were obtained by searching GeneCard, OMIM, DrugBank and Disgenet databases. The Venny2.1 Venn diagram was used to obtain the common targets of the drugs and diseases, and then entered into the Cytoscape 3.9.1 software to draw the network diagram of “Angelica sinensis and Rhizoma Ligustici Chuanxiong - common targets - acute ischaemic stroke”. The protein interaction PPI network was constructed by using STRING database and Cytoscape 3.9.1 software, and the gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses were carried out through DAVID database, and the bubble diagrams of the enrichment analyses were made by using Microbiology Letter. The molecular docking was verified by AutoDock software and visualised by Pymol software. Result: Nine active ingredients and 53 potential targets of Angelica sinensis and Rhizoma Ligustici Chuanxiong in the treatment of acute ischemic stroke, and the key targets were JUN, ESR1, CASP3 and PTGS2. Conclusion: The pair of Angelica sinensis and Rhizoma Ligustici Chuanxiong can be used in the treatment of acute ischemic stroke through a variety of pathways, active ingredients and targets. The therapeutic effects of this drug on acute ischaemic stroke are mainly related to the calcium signaling pathway and the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)-AKT pathway, which provides theoretical support for the subsequent study of the mechanism of this drug in the treatment of acute ischaemic stroke.
Chuanxiong
通过中药系统药理学数据库与分析平台(TCMSP) (
以“Acute Ischemic Stroke”为检索词,在Genecards (
将得到的药物作用靶点与AIS疾病靶点利用Venn工具(
将当归–川芎活性成分及AIS疾病靶点录入Cytoscape3.9.1软件,生成“活性成分–疾病靶点”网络图,再通过Network Analyzer方式,以Degree值筛选出当归–川芎药对作用于AIS疾病靶点的核心有效成分。
通过STRING数据库(
将川芎–当归药对与AIS疾病的共同靶点导入DAVID数据库(hps:/davidncifcrtov/),以Select Identifier进行生物学过程(BP),Genelist与Background以“Homo sapiens”进行细胞组分(CC)、分子功能(MF),及KEGG通路富集分析,在微生信网站(
通过TCMSP数据库,以OB ≥ 30%、DL ≥ 0.18为筛选条件,筛选出川芎7个活性成分,当归2个活性成分,具体详见
中药 | 分子编号 | 分子名称 | 口服利用度 | 类药性 | |
英文名称 | 中文名称 | (OB) | (DL) | ||
川芎 | MOL001494 | Mandenol | 十八碳二烯 | 42.00% | 0.19 |
MOL002135 | Myricanone | 杨梅酮 | 40.60% | 0.51 | |
MOL002140 | Perlolyrine | 黑麦碱 | 65.95% | 0.27 | |
MOL002151 | Senkyunone | 洋川芎醌 | 47.66% | 0.24 | |
MOL002157 | Wallichilide | 川芎萘呋内酯 | 42.31% | 0.71 | |
MOL000359 | Sitosterol | 谷甾醇 | 36.91% | 0.75 | |
MOL000433 | FA | 富马酸 | 68.96% | 0.71 | |
当归 | MOL000358 | Beta-sitosterol | β-谷甾醇 | 36.91% | 0.75 |
MOL000449 | Stigmasterol | 豆甾醇 | 43.83% | 0.76 |
通过Gene Cards数据库检索,得到AIS疾病相关靶点3371个。
将3371个AIS疾病靶点与69个当归–川芎药对作用靶点取交集,共得到53个共同靶点,见
将川芎–当归作用靶点与AIS疾病的共同靶点录入Cytoscape3.9.1软件,生产出“活性成分–疾病靶点”网络图,具体信息详见
将53个共同靶点录入STRING数据库,通过Cytoscape3.9.1软件,产生232条相互作用关系,平均度值(Degree)为8.75。建立PPI网络(
将53个共同靶点录进DAVID数据库,富集分析GO功能,并采用P值排序,选择前10条目GO功能,制作富集气泡图。结果显示:细胞组分(CC)主要位于膜筏、膜微域、突触前膜等;分子功能(MF)主要表达在发挥蛋白质结合、蛋白激酶结合、转录因子结合、类固醇结合、蛋白酶结合和细胞因子受体结合等分子功能;生物学过程(BP)主要涉及有机环状化合物的反应、对激素的反应、对刺激的反应、细胞凋亡和血液循环系统过程等生物学过程,从而起到治疗AIS的作用,见
图5. GO功能富集分析气泡图。(a) GO-细胞组分;(b) GO-分子功能;(c) GO-生物学过程
成分名称 | MOL ID | 成分来源 |
Beta-sitosterol | MOL000358 | 当归 |
Stigmasterol | MOL000449 | 当归 |
Myricanone | MOL002135 | 川芎 |
Stigmasterol | MOL000359 | 川芎 |
成分 | 靶蛋白 | PDB ID | 结合能/(KJ/mol) |
杨梅酮(Myricanone) | ESR1 | 1SJ0 | −32.46784 |
PTGS2 | 5IKR | −24.09984 | |
β-谷甾醇(beta-sitosterol) | CASP3 | 1QX3 | −35.02008 |
JUN | 6Y3V | −25.98264 | |
豆甾醇(stigmasterol) | JUN | 6Y3V | −29.79008 |
PTGS2 | 5IKR | −27.90728 |
(f)
图8. 分子对接示意图。(a):杨梅酮- ESR1;(b):杨梅酮-PTGS2;(c):β-谷甾醇-CASP3;(d):β-谷甾醇-JUN;(e):豆甾醇-JUN;(f):豆甾醇-PTGS2
AIS容易致残甚至致死,且会反复发作,现代医学认为其机制较为复杂,主要涉及兴奋性氨基酸、钙离子、自由基失调,引发炎性反应,使得神经细胞凋亡及自噬等生理病理过程
本研究发现当归、川芎药对治疗AIS的关键活性成分是杨梅酮、β-谷甾醇、豆甾醇。β-谷甾醇可以通过作用于细胞的相关信号通路来调节生长与凋亡、抗氧化性
根据“活性成分–疾病靶点”的网络构建与分析,核心靶点是JUN、ESR1、CASP3、PTGS2。这些靶点主要涉及免疫炎症反应、细胞自噬凋亡等生物学过程。JUN可以调节免疫反应和细胞凋亡相关靶点表达,可能参与大脑炎症反应的调控
在KEGG通路富集解析中,靶点主要表达的信号通路为钙信号通路、PI3K-AKT信号通路。PI3K/AKT信号通路是一种细胞内信号转录途径,接收细胞外信号因子,通过下游丝氨酸及苏氨酸的磷酸化,发挥调控细胞凋亡和细胞自噬,促进血管生成的作用
综上所述,本研究基于网络药理学和分子对接方法,分析当归、川芎药对的活性成分、关键靶点和分子通路机制,发现当归、川芎药对中多种有效成分协助作用于多靶点、多通路,通过减少炎性因子表达,抑制细胞凋亡等方式改善AIS的临床表现,为治疗AIS提供了一定思路,为其临床应用提供更多的可行性。
*通讯作者。