Evaluation of the Mechanism of Jiedu Huazhuo Quyu Formula in Treating Wilson’s Disease-Associated Liver Fibrosis by Network Pharmacology Analysis and Molecular Dynamics Simulation

Abstract

The Jiedu Huazhuo Quyu formula (JHQ) shows significant beneficial effects against liver fibrosis caused by Wilson's disease (WD). Hence, this study aimed to clarify the mechanisms of the JHQ treatment in WD-associated liver fibrosis. First, we collected 103 active compounds and 527 related targets of JHQ and 1187 targets related to WD-associated liver fibrosis from multiple databases. Next, 113 overlapping genes (OGEs) were obtained. Then, we built a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network with Cytoscape 3.7.2 software and performed the Gene Ontology (GO) term and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Gene and Genome (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses with GENE DENOVO online sites. Furthermore, module analysis was performed, and the core target genes in the JHQ treatment of WD-associated liver fibrosis were obtained. Pathway and functional enrichment analyses, molecular docking studies, molecular dynamic (MD) simulation, and Western blot (WB) were then performed. The results indicated that 8 key active compounds including quercetin, luteolin, and obacunone in JHQ might affect the 6 core proteins including CXCL8, MAPK1, and AKT1 and 107 related signaling pathways including EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor resistance, Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus infection, and human cytomegalovirus infection signaling pathways to exhibit curative effects on WD-associated liver fibrosis. Mechanistically, JHQ might inhibit liver inflammatory processes and vascular hyperplasia, regulate the cell cycle, and suppress both the activation and proliferation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). This study provides novel insights for researchers to systematically explore the mechanism of JHQ in treating WD-associated liver fibrosis.