Effects of gastrodin on the expression of brain aging‐related genes in SAM/P‐8 mice based on network pharmacology

Abstract

Background Gastrodin can reduce neuronal damage through multiple targets and pathways, and can be useful in preventing and treating degenerative lesions of the central nervous system, but the specific mechanism has not been elucidated. Methods The aging‐related genes in the hippocampus and the frontal cortex were detected in adult and aged mice treated with gastrodin or not. In addition, we collected the target genes of gastrodin and aging from a network database, and a Venn diagram was created to obtain the intersection target genes of gastrodin and aging. Then, the String database was used to analyze the protein–protein interactions (PPIs) between aging‐related genes and the target genes of gastrodin and aging. The “drug–disease–target–pathway” network was constructed using Cytoscape 3.7.2 software, and the main mechanism and pathway of key genes were analyzed by Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) and Gene Ontology (GO). Finally, the reliability of these key genes was further verified by molecular docking technology. Results The results showed that 6 out of 10 genes related to brain aging were differentially expressed after gastrodin intervention. Moreover, there were 11 key genes between gastrodin and differentially expressed genes related to brain aging. GO and KEGG results suggested that material metabolism and carbohydrate digestion and absorption were associated with the pathological mechanism of gastrodin antiaging. Molecular docking results also confirmed the good binding activity of gastrodin to the key genes. Conclusion Gastrodin plays a potential role in antiaging by regulating substance metabolism and carbohydrate digestion and absorption.

Chemistry, Biological Activities, and Pharmacological Properties of Gastrodin: Mechanism Insights

“…In addition, gastrodin inhibited the phosphorylation of GSK-3β, activated the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and JNK, and decreased the production of ROS. In SAM-P/8 mice treated with gastrodin, 6 out of 10 genes associated with brain aging were examined in the hippocampus and frontal cortex Zhao et al [98] Gastrodin regulated genes associated with brain aging, possibly acting on the target proteins Sortilin-1, SCN2B, MAP1B, MAP2 K4, RAP2 A, and Rab6 A. In addition to the hippocampus, the cerebellum is also implicated in the regulation of cognitive functions.…”