Abstract
Objectives Xuefu Zhuyu decoction (XFZYD), a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula, has been demonstrated to be effective for the treatment of traumatic brain injury (TBI). However, the underlying pharmacological mechanisms remain unclear. This study aims to explore the potential action mechanisms of XFZYD in the treatment of TBI and to elucidate the combination principle of this herbal formula. Methods A network pharmacology approach including ADME (absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion) evaluation, target prediction, known therapeutic targets collection, network construction, and molecule docking was used in this study. Results A total of 119 bioactive ingredients from XFZYD were predicted to act on 47 TBI associated specific proteins which intervened in several crucial pathological processes including apoptosis, inflammation, antioxidant, and axon genesis. Almost each of the bioactive ingredients targeted more than one protein. The molecular docking simulation showed that 91 pairs of chemical components and candidate targets had strong binding efficiencies. The “Jun”, “Chen”, and “Zuo-Shi” herbs from XFZYD triggered their specific targets regulation, respectively. Conclusion Our work successfully illuminates the “multicompounds, multitargets” therapeutic action of XFZYD in the treatment of TBI by network pharmacology with molecule docking method. The present work may provide valuable evidence for further clinical application of XFZYD as therapeutic strategy for TBI treatment.
Highlights
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major cause of death and disability [1]
We explored the pharmacological mechanisms of Xuefu Zhuyu decoction (XFZYD) acting on TBI via a network pharmacology approach
As a chief mean of treating diseases clinically; generally traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) doctors prescribe formula based on the principle of “Jun-Chen-Zuo-Shi”: “Jun” treats the main cause or primary symptoms of the disease
Summary
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major cause of death and disability [1]. At least 10 million severe TBIs result in death or hospitalization annually worldwide [2]. 1.7 million Americans sustain a TBI each year, leading to over 1.4 million emergency department visits, 275 000 hospital admissions, and 50 000 deaths that contribute to one-third of all injury-related deaths [3]. In the European Union alone, an estimated 1.5 million hospital admissions and 57,000 deaths annually attribute to TBI [4]. In China, TBI-related mortality remains a high level, ranging from 12.99 to 17.06 per population of 100 000 persons [5]. TBI has afforded huge social and economic burden
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