Exploring the Mechanism of Dendrobine in Treating Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Based on Network Pharmacology and Experimental Validation

Abstract

This research delves into the therapeutic mechanisms of Dendrobine, the primary bioactive compound in Dendrobium nobile, for Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) management. Integrating network pharmacology with experimental validation, the study evaluates the clinical effectiveness and safety of Dendrobium nobile in NAFLD treatment through an exploratory clinical trial. The approach identifies Dendrobine's potential targets and associated genes, constructing an interactive gene network. Validation processes include functional genomics, pathway enrichment analysis, molecular docking, cellular assays, and qPCR. Results demonstrate Dendrobium nobile's efficacy in enhancing liver function among NAFLD patients. Network pharmacology findings indicate Dendrobine’s influence on key targets like PPARG, IL6, TNF, IL1B, and AKT1, with molecular docking confirming interactions across these targets, excluding NFKB1. Dendrobine significantly reduced ALT and AST levels in PA-treated HepG2 cells, suggesting hepatoprotective properties, and ameliorated oxidative stress by lowering MDA levels and increasing SOD levels. The findings suggest Dendrobine's role in modulating inflammatory and immune responses, potentially through the downregulation of inflammatory mediators like TNF, IL6, and IL1B, and influencing lipid metabolism via AKT1 and STAT3 inhibition, thereby mitigating liver damage in NAFLD.