Chen GQ, Nan Y, Ning N, Huang SC, Bai YT, Zhou ZY, Qian G, Li WQ, Yuan L. Network pharmacology study and in vitro experimental validation of Xiaojianzhong decoction against gastric cancer. World J Gastrointest Oncol 2024; 16(9): 3932-3954 [DOI: 10.4251/wjgo.v16.i9.3932]
Corresponding Author of This Article
Ling Yuan, MD, Full Professor, College of Pharmacy, Ningxia Medical University, No. 1160 Shengli Street, Yinchuan 750004, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, China. 20080017@nxmu.edu.cn
Research Domain of This Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Article-Type of This Article
Clinical and Translational Research
Open-Access Policy of This Article
This article is an open-access article which was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
World J Gastrointest Oncol. Sep 15, 2024; 16(9): 3932-3954 Published online Sep 15, 2024. doi: 10.4251/wjgo.v16.i9.3932
Network pharmacology study and in vitro experimental validation of Xiaojianzhong decoction against gastric cancer
Guo-Qing Chen, Yi Nan, Na Ning, Shi-Cong Huang, Yu-Ting Bai, Zi-Ying Zhou, Gu Qian, Wei-Qiang Li, Ling Yuan
Guo-Qing Chen, Na Ning, Shi-Cong Huang, Gu Qian, Ling Yuan, College of Pharmacy, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan 750004, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, China
Yi Nan, Key Laboratory of Ningxia Minority Medicine Modernization, Ministry of Education, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan 750004, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, China
Yu-Ting Bai, Department of Pharmacy, Ningxia Chinese Medicine Research Center, Yinchuan 750021, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, China
Zi-Ying Zhou, Department of Pharmacy, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan 750004, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, China
Wei-Qiang Li, Department of Chinese Medical Gastroenterology, The Affiliated TCM Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Wuzhong 751100, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, China
Co-corresponding authors: Wei-Qiang Li and Ling Yuan.
Author contributions: Chen GQ analyzed the data and wrote the manuscript; Ning N and Huang SC were responsible for programming and software processing; Bai YT performed the validation; Zhou ZY and Gu Q were responsible for methodology development and design; Nan Y visualized the experimental results; Li WQ and Yuan L supervised and led the planning and execution of the research activities; all authors have read and approved the final manuscript. Both Yuan L and Li WQ have played important and indispensable roles in the experimental design, data interpretation, and manuscript preparation as the co-corresponding authors. Li WQ and Yuan L applied for and obtained the funds for this research project. Li WQ was instrumental and responsible for re-interpretation of the mechanism and targets of XJZ in the treatment of gastric cancer through network pharmacology and bioinformatics. Yuan L conceptualized, designed, and supervised the whole process of the project. She revised and submitted the current version of the manuscript with the focus on the effect of XJZ verified in vitro. This collaboration between Li WQ and Yuan L is crucial for the publication of this manuscript.
Supported bythe West Light Foundation of the Ningxia Key Research and Development Program, No. 2023BEG02015; High-level Key Discipline Construction Project of State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No. 2022-226; Talent Development Projects of Young Qihuang of National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No. 2020-218; and National Natural Science Foundation of China, No. 82374261.
Conflict-of-interest statement: All the authors report no relevant conflicts of interest for this article.
Open-Access: This article is an open-access article that was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Corresponding author: Ling Yuan, MD, Full Professor, College of Pharmacy, Ningxia Medical University, No. 1160 Shengli Street, Yinchuan 750004, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, China. 20080017@nxmu.edu.cn
Received: April 6, 2024 Revised: June 24, 2024 Accepted: July 15, 2024 Published online: September 15, 2024 Processing time: 155 Days and 8.6 Hours
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Cancer is one of the most serious threats to human health worldwide. Conventional treatments such as surgery and chemotherapy are associated with some drawbacks. In recent years, traditional Chinese medicine treatment has been increasingly advocated by patients and attracted attention from clinicians, and has become an indispensable part of the comprehensive treatment for gastric cancer.
AIM
To investigate the mechanism of Xiaojianzhong decoction (XJZ) in the treatment of gastric cancer (GC) by utilizing network pharmacology and experimental validation, so as to provide a theoretical basis for later experimental research.
METHODS
We analyzed the mechanism and targets of XJZ in the treatment of GC through network pharmacology and bioinformatics. Subsequently, we verified the impact of XJZ treatment on the proliferative ability of GC cells through CCK-8, apoptosis, cell cycle, and clone formation assays. Additionally, we performed Western blot analysis and real-time quantitative PCR to assess the protein and mRNA expression of the core proteins.
RESULTS
XJZ mainly regulates IL6, PTGS2, CCL2, MMP9, MMP2, HMOX1, and other target genes and pathways in cancer to treat GC. The inhibition of cell viability, the increase of apoptosis, the blockage of the cell cycle at the G0/G1 phase, and the inhibition of the ability of cell clone formation were observed in AGS and HGC-27 cells after XJZ treatment. In addition, XJZ induced a decrease in the mRNA expression of IL6, PTGS2, MMP9, MMP2, and CCL2, and an increase in the mRNA expression of HOMX1. XJZ significantly inhibited the expression of IL6, PTGS2, MMP9, MMP2, and CCL2 proteins and promoted the expression of the heme oxygenase-1 protein.
CONCLUSION
XJZ exerts therapeutic effects against GC through multiple components, multiple targets, and multiple pathways. Our findings provide a new idea and scientific basis for further research on the molecular mechanisms underlying the therapeutic effects of XJZ in the treatment of GC.
Core Tip: We analyzed the mechanism and targets of Xiaojianzhong decoction (XJZ) in the treatment of gastric cancer (GC) through network pharmacology and bioinformatics. Subsequently, we verified the impact of XJZ treatment on the proliferative ability of GC cells through CCK-8, apoptosis, cell cycle, and clone formation assays. Additionally, we performed Western blot analysis and real-time quantitative PCR to assess the protein and mRNA expression of the hub genes, respectively. Our findings provide a new idea and scientific basis for further research on the molecular mechanisms underlying the therapeutic effects of XJZ in the treatment of GC.
