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BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies

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Open Access 01-12-2024 | Research

A network pharmacology approach to decipher the mechanism of total flavonoids from Dracocephalum Moldavica L. in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases

Authors: Rui-fang Zheng, Kaderyea Kader, Di-wei Liu, Wen-ling Su, Lei Xu, Yuan-yuan Jin, Jian-guo Xing

Published in: BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies | Issue 1/2024

Abstract

Aim of the study

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) seriously endangers human health and is characterized by high mortality and disability. The effectiveness of Dracocephalum moldavica L. in the treatment of CVD has been proven by clinical practice. However, the mechanism by which DML can treat CVD has not been systematically determined.

Materials and methods

The active compounds in DML were screened by literature mining and pharmacokinetic analysis. Cytoscape software was used to construct the target-disease interaction network of DML in the treatment of CVD. Gene ontology and signalling pathway enrichment analyses were performed. The key target pathway network of DML compounds was constructed and verified by pharmacological experiments in vitro. A hydrogen glucose deprivation/reoxygenation model was established in H9c2 cells using hypoxia and glucose deprivation for 9 h combined with reoxygenation for 2 h. The model simulated myocardial ischaemic reperfusion injury to investigate the effects of total flavonoids of Cymbidium on cell viability, myocardial injury markers, oxidative stress levels, and reactive oxygen radical levels. Western blot analysis was used to examine NOX-4, Bcl-2/Bax, and PGC-1α protein expression.

Results

Twenty-seven active components were screened, and 59 potential drug targets for the treatment of CVD were obtained. Through the compound-target interaction network and the target-disease interaction network, the key targets and key signalling pathways, such as NOX-4, Bcl-2/Bax and PGC-1α, were obtained. TFDM significantly decreased LDH and MDA levels and the production of ROS and increased SOD activity levels in the context of OGD/R injury. Further studies indicated that NOX-4 and Bax protein levels and the p-P38 MAPK/P38 MAPK andp-Erk1/2/Erk1/2 ratios were suppressed by TFDM. The protein expression of Bcl-2 and PGC-1α was increased by TFDM.

Conclusions

Our results showed that DML had multicomponent, multitarget and multichannel characteristics in the treatment of CVD. The mechanism may be associated with the following signalling pathways: 1) the NOX-4/ROS/p38 MAPK signalling pathway, which inhibits inflammation and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and 2) the Bcl-2/Bax and AMPK/SIRT1/PGC-1α signalling pathways, which inhibit apoptosis.

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Title: A network pharmacology approach to decipher the mechanism of total flavonoids from Dracocephalum Moldavica L. in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases
Authors: Rui-fang Zheng
Kaderyea Kader
Di-wei Liu
Wen-ling Su
Lei Xu
Yuan-yuan Jin
Jian-guo Xing
Publication date: 01-12-2024
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies / Issue 1/2024
Electronic ISSN: 2662-7671
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-023-04316-x

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

A network pharmacology approach to decipher the mechanism of total flavonoids from Dracocephalum Moldavica L. in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases

Abstract

Aim of the study

Materials and methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Aim of the study

Materials and methods

Results

Conclusions

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