Published online May 15, 2024. doi: 10.4239/wjd.v15.i5.945
Peer-review started: December 22, 2023
First decision: January 9, 2024
Revised: February 7, 2024
Accepted: March 13, 2024
Article in press: March 13, 2024
Published online: May 15, 2024
Processing time: 140 Days and 10 Hours
Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is a common and debilitating complication of diabetes, lacking effective treatment options. Radix Salviae (Danshen in Chinese), a traditional Chinese medicine, has shown promise in treating DPN, but its mechanism of action remains unclear.
Given the growing global prevalence of diabetes and the lack of satisfactory treatments for DPN, there is a critical need to investigate potential medicinal interventions, such as Radix Salviae, for the condition. Understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying the therapeutic effects of Radix Salviae on DPN could lead to the development of novel treatments.
This study aims to explore the mechanism of Radix Salviae in treating DPN using network pharmacology. The specific objectives include identifying the active ingredients and target genes of Radix Salviae, investigating the interactions between Radix Salviae and DPN-related target genes, and elucidating the potential pathways and processes involved in its therapeutic effects on DPN.
The research utilized the Traditional Chinese medicine pharmacology database and analysis platform to identify active ingredients and target genes of Radix Salviae. DPN-related target genes were obtained from public databases, and network pharmacology approaches were employed to construct interaction networks, perform enrichment analyses, and explore potential mechanisms.
The study identified 56 active components, 108 targets, and 4581 DPN-related target genes for Radix Salviae. Eighty-one common targets were discovered between Radix Salviae and DPN. Functional annotation and pathway enrichment analyses highlighted the involvement of the AGE-RAGE and PI3K-Akt signaling pathways in the therapeutic effects of Radix Salviae on DPN.
The findings suggest that Radix Salviae may exert its therapeutic effects on DPN by regulating inflammation, apoptosis, and oxidative stress through the identified pathways. This study provides a theoretical basis for the potential role of Radix Salviae in improving symptoms of DPN and offers valuable insights for future research and drug development in the field.
Further experimental validation and clinical studies are needed to confirm the findings and understand the potential of Radix Salviae as a treatment for DPN. Subsequent research should focus on elucidating the specific biological processes and molecular targets influenced by Radix Salviae, as well as exploring its clinical applicability and safety in the context of DPN treatment.