Network pharmacology reveals the targets and mechanism for Panax notoginseng (Burk.) F. H. Chen against venous thromboembolism

Abstract

BackgroundPanax notoginseng (Burk.) F. H. Chen (PN) is an integral part of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) that has been extensively applied to prevent and treat blood stasis for hundreds of years, whereas the inhibitory mechanism of PN against venous thromboembolism (VTE) has remained a mystery. ObjectiveThis study aimed to reveal the prophylactic effect and illuminate the possible mechanism of PN on venous thromboembolism. MethodsThe Traditional Chinese Medicine Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP) were utilized to search and screen for potent ingredients of PN as well as to analyze potential prophylactic and therapeutic targets against VTE. On the contrary, four disease databases were excavated to collect VTE-related genes. Common targets were obtained by integrating the gene expression profile of VTE and chemical-protein data of PN. A protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed to demonstrate interactions among gene products. GO function, KEGG pathway, and topology analyses were performed to depict functional and dimensional characteristics of contributing targets. ResultsNetwork pharmacology indicated that vascular smooth muscle contraction, platelet activation, and complement and coagulation cascades were the main pathways involved in the prophylactic and therapeutic effect of PN against VTE. MAPK1, SP1, RB1, and TP53 are the main genes related to the anticoagulation effect of PN. Injection, spray, or other preparations may be more suitable than direct oral administration of PN. ConclusionPN can exert its anticoagulation effect to prevent and treat VTE, which is probably attributable to modulating coagulation cascades. This helps estimate the therapeutic effect of PN on VTE and leads to an increase in the numbers of PN-related researches.