Abstract
Background Zuojin Pill (ZJP), a classic prescription, has the potential to prevent ulcerative colitis (UC). However, the active components and mechanisms of ZJP are still arcane. This study aimed to use a network pharmacology approach to find the bioactive compounds and potential action mechanisms of ZJP in the treatment of UC. Methods Firstly, the components and putative targets of ZJP were collected based on herbal medicine target databases, and a network containing the interaction between the targets of ZJP and the potential therapeutic targets of UC was established. Then, topological parameters were calculated to identify the key targets in the network and, in turn, to import them into the David database to perform path enrichment analysis. Results 14 potential therapeutic components of ZJP and 26 key targets were obtained. These targets were related to signal transduction, MAPK cascade, inflammatory response, immune response, and the apoptotic process of UC. Moreover, the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, MAPK signaling pathway, toll-like receptor signaling pathway, and Prolactin signaling pathway were predicted to participate in ZJP treating UC. Among them, 14 active components of ZJP directly regulate these pathways. Conclusion ZJP could alleviate UC through the predicted components and mechanisms. The 14 predicted active components of ZJP may mainly play a therapeutic role for UC through synergistic regulation of the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway and MAPK signaling pathway.
Highlights
Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic nonspecific inflammatory disease
We searched the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP, https://old.tcmsp-e.com/ tcmsp.php, updated on May 31, 2014), Chinese Academy of Sciences Chemistry database (CASC, http://www. organchem.csdb.cn/scdb/main/slogin.asp, updated on December 31, 2019), and related literatures to collect the chemical components of the two herbs contained in Zuojin Pill (ZJP) using “Coptidis Rhizoma” and “Fructus Evodiae” as the queries. e TCMSP is a unique systematic pharmacology database of Chinese herbal medicines, chemicals, targets, and drug-target networks. e CASC is one of the most comprehensive chemical databases in the world, which can provide chemical information of Chinese herbal medicine and natural products
A total of 161 chemical ingredients (Table S1) of the two herbal medicines in ZJP were collected from the TCMSP, CASC, and related literatures, including 32 ingredients in Rhizoma Coptidis and 129 ingredients in Fructus Evodiae. ere were 5 shared components: berberine, obacunone, quercetin, isovanillin, and limonin (Figure 2(a))
Summary
Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic nonspecific inflammatory disease It was listed as a modern refractory disease by the World Health Organization because of its unclear etiology, high clinical recurrence rate, and association with colon cancer [1]. Zuojin Pill (ZJP), a classic prescription for gastrointestinal diseases, has been widely used in the clinical treatment of gastrointestinal diseases since ancient times in China because of its safety and effectiveness. E 14 predicted active components of ZJP may mainly play a therapeutic role for UC through synergistic regulation of the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway and MAPK signaling pathway ZJP could alleviate UC through the predicted components and mechanisms. e 14 predicted active components of ZJP may mainly play a therapeutic role for UC through synergistic regulation of the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway and MAPK signaling pathway
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