Abstract
Zishen Pill (ZSP) is a traditional Chinese medicine that is frequently used to treat Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH), however its specific mechanism of action and active ingredients are yet unknown. We used a combination of serum pharmacochemistry and network pharmacology and a series of biochemical assays to explore the action mechanism of ZSP in the treatment of BPH. The BPH rat model was created using testosterone propionate, and following oral ZSP administration, the components of ZSP in rat serum were detected by UPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap/MS method. A "component-target-disease" network and PPI networks were constructed on this foundation. The primary mechanism of ZSP decreasing BPH in rats was studied by KEGG pathway and GO analysis. Finally, the potential pathways and key targets were further verified in vivo by molecular biology and immunological methods. 46 substances were charactered from rat serum, and 164 anti-BPH targets were screened from the database. According to network pharmacology, the primary targets were CASP3, STAT3, JUN, and PTGS2/COX2. Three related pathways (PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, AGE-RAGE signaling pathway and EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor resistance) were closely related to the therapeutic effects of ZSP. The findings of molecular biology demonstrated that ZSP may bring Bcl-2, BAX, CASP3, COX2, and 5LOX protein and gene expression in BPH rats appreciably closer to that of normal rats. Additionally, ZSP can lessen the expression of inflammatory cytokines in BPH rats, including VEGF, TNF-α, CCL5, and interleukin. ConclusionThe above results suggest that ZSP may reduce BPH through inflammation/immunity and apoptosis/proliferation-related pathways. This study offers a fresh approach to investigate the basic pharmacological effects and mechanism of ZSP in the treatment of BPH.
Published Version
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
