Exploring the Mechanism of Action of Herbal Medicine (Gan-Mai-Da-Zao Decoction) for Poststroke Depression Based on Network Pharmacology and Molecular Docking

Abstract

Background. Poststroke depression (PSD) is the most common and serious neuropsychiatric complication occurring after cerebrovascular accidents, seriously endangering human health while also imposing a heavy burden on society. Nevertheless, it is difficult to control disease progression. Gan-Mai-Da-Zao Decoction (GMDZD) is effective for PSD, but its mechanism of action in PSD is unknown. In this study, we explored the mechanism of action of GMDZD in PSD treatment using network pharmacology and molecular docking. Material and methods. We obtained the active components of all drugs and their targets from the public database TCMSP and published articles. Then, we collected PSD-related targets from the GeneCards and OMIM databases. Cytoscape 3.8.2 was applied to construct PPI and composite target disease networks. In parallel, the DAVID database was used to perform GO and KEGG enrichment analyses to determine the biological processes enriched in the treatment-related drugs in vivo. Finally, molecular docking was used to verify the association between the main active ingredients and their targets. Results. The network pharmacological analysis of GMDZD in PSD revealed 107 active ingredients with important biological effects, including quercetin, luteolin, kaempferol, naringenin, and isorhamnetin. In total, 203 potential targets for the treatment of this disease were screened, including STAT3, JUN, TNF, TPT53, AKT1, and EGFR. These drugs are widely enriched in a series of signaling pathways, such as TNF, HIF-1, and toll-like receptor. Moreover, molecular docking analysis showed that the core active components were tightly bound to their core targets, further confirming their anti-PSD effects. Conclusion. This prospective study was based on the integrated analysis of large data using network pharmacology technology to explore the feasibility of GMDZD for PSD treatment that was successfully validated by molecular docking. It reflects the multicomponent and multitarget characteristics of Chinese medicine and, more importantly, brings hope for the clinical treatment of PSD.

Chinese herbal medicines for the treatment of depression: a systematic review and network meta-analysis

“…The underlying pathophysiology of depression is associated with the damage of monoamine transmission systems ( LeMoult and Gotlib, 2019 ). In fact, clinical studies have found that Chaihu Jia Longgu Muli Decoction , Gan Mai Da Zao Decoction , Xiao Yao San has a good antidepressant effect by preventing dopaminergic transmission in rats ( Ding et al, 2021 ; Wan et al, 2021 ; Wang YT. et al, 2023 ).…”

“…This core active ingredients of Chaihu Jia Longgu Muli Decoction consists of Chaihu (Bupleurum) , Muli (Ostrea gigas) , which are pivotal in treating depression ( Wang Y. et al, 2023 ). The key active compounds in the Gan Mai Da Zao Decoction were identified as Quercetin , Luteolin , Kaempfero l, Naringenin , and Isorhamnetin , contributing significantly to its antidepressant effect ( Ding et al, 2021 ). Quercetin , Apigeni and Luteolin , key components of the Xiao Yao San , effectively mitigate the progression of depression ( Chen, 2023 ).…”

Network pharmacology analysis and experimental verification reveal the mechanism of the traditional Chinese medicine YU-Pingfeng San alleviating allergic rhinitis inflammatory responses

“…Gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis of AR/YPFS-related genes was performed to identify genes in the biological processes (BP), cellular components (CC), molecular functions (MF) categories, and pathways using the ClusterProfiler R Package ( Wang et al, 2022 ). The data obtained were visualized by using bioinformatics 8 ( Ding et al, 2021 ).…”

Investigation on the mechanism of Shaoyao-Gancao Decoction in the treatment of gastric carcinoma based on network pharmacology and experimental verification

“…In recent years, network pharmacology has been gradually applied in the field of TCM, which reveals the mechanism of drugs action based on the Chinese herbal medicine-components-targets-pathways-disease network [ 12 ]. This coincides with the characteristics of multi-components, multi-targets, and multi-pathways of TCM.…”