Pharmacological Targets and the Biological Mechanisms of Formononetin for Alzheimer’s Disease: A Network Analysis

Xiao, Hai; Qin, Xinyue; Wan, Jinping; Li, Rong

doi:10.12659/msm.916662

Cited by 36 publications

(18 citation statements)

References 20 publications

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“…A network pharmacology-based approach has previously proved successful in revealing treatable targets and mechanisms from bioinformatics assays [ 14 ]. Indeed, in our previous studies, we have identified the pharmacological biotargets of several bioactive agents used to manage clinical diseases [ 15 , 16 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Therapeutic targets and signaling mechanisms of vitamin C activity against sepsis: a bioinformatics study

Li¹,

Guo²,

Yu³

et al. 2020

Briefings in Bioinformatics

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Sepsis is a life-threatening complication of pneumonia, including coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19)-induced pneumonia. Evidence of the benefits of vitamin C (VC) for the treatment of sepsis is accumulating. However, data revealing the targets and molecular mechanisms of VC action against sepsis are limited. In this report, a bioinformatics analysis of network pharmacology was conducted to demonstrate screening targets, biological functions, and the signaling pathways of VC action against sepsis. As shown in network assays, 63 primary causal targets for the VC action against sepsis were identified from the data, and four optimal core targets for the VC action against sepsis were identified. These core targets were epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), mitogen-activated protein kinase-1 (MAPK1), proto-oncogene c (JUN), and signal transducer and activator of transcription-3 (STAT3). In addition, all biological processes (including a top 20) and signaling pathways (including a top 20) potentially involved in the VC action against sepsis were identified. The hub genes potentially involved in the VC action against sepsis and interlaced networks from the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes Mapper assays were highlighted. Considering all the bioinformatic findings, we conclude that VC antisepsis effects are mechanistically and pharmacologically implicated with suppression of immune dysfunction-related and inflammation-associated functional processes and other signaling pathways. These primary predictive biotargets may potentially be used to treat sepsis in future clinical practice.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Therapeutic targets and signaling mechanisms of vitamin C activity against sepsis: a bioinformatics study

Li¹,

Guo²,

Yu³

et al. 2020

Briefings in Bioinformatics

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show abstract

“…And then, the identifiable findings were introduced to the Cytoscape software, in which the setting of network analyzer was used to optimize the PPI data of VC against CG following topological criteria. The core biotargets of VC against CG were screened and identified according to the degree values of topological data …”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The core biotargets of VC against CG were screened and identified according to the degree values of topological data. 12,13…”

Section: Ppi Network Assay and Identification Of Core Targetsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Network analysis, and human and animal studies disclose the anticystitis glandularis effects of vitamin C

Guo

Liang

et al. 2019

BioFactors

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Background Our present study aimed to unravel the therapeutic biotargets of vitamin C (VC) against cystitis glandularis (CG), and to elucidate the molecular mechanisms for VC treating CG. Methods Network pharmacology was used to predict therapeutic targets of VC against CG, and to identify molecular mechanisms. In addition, further human and animal studies were designed to validate the bioinformatic findings through biochemical tests, computerized tomography scans, and immunostaining assays. Results In bioinformatic analyses, pathogenic targets of CG and putative targets of VC were identified, respectively. An interaction network between biological target and functional protein was produced before screening and collecting the key therapeutic targets of VC against CG, biological processes, and signaling pathways. In addition, ingenuity pathway analysis with cloud platform indicated that anti‐CG mechanisms of VC were achieved through modulating a cluster of molecular pathways, such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF) pathway. Meanwhile, 18 core targets of VC against CG were identified, and the most important TNF, interleukin‐6 (IL6), and Jun biotargets were obtained, respectively. In further validation in human study, cellular TNF‐α, IL6, and c‐Jun expressions in patient's CG samples were elevated significantly, accompanied with detectable urinary tract infection. Beneficially, VC‐dosed CG mice resulted in downregulated expressions of endogenous TNF‐α, IL6, and c‐Jun in blood and bladder samples. Conclusion Collectively, these bioinformatic findings and experimentative data uncover the therapeutic targets and biological mechanisms of VC for treating CG, in which the key biomarkers of TNF‐α, IL6, and c‐Jun may be the potential molecules for treating CG in clinical application.

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“…In brief, all therapeutic targets of calycosin against NPC were uploaded into a web-based Database of Functional Annotation Bioinformatics Microarray Analysis (DAVID) to produce optimal functional processes and signalling pathways of calycosin against NPC. Based on the settings of the -Log pvalue, a three-dimensional bar chart of biological processes and signalling pathways of calycosin against NPC was created [14] .…”

Section: Identification Of Molecular Functions and Pathways Of Calycomentioning

confidence: 99%

Bioinformatic and experimental findings to indicate anti-cancer targets and mechanisms of calycosin against nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Liu

Pan

Wang

et al. 2020

Preprint

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Background: Calycosin is a naturally-occurring phytoestrogen that reportedly exerts anti- nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) effects. Nevertheless, the molecular mechanisms for anti-NPC using calycosin remain unrevealed. Methods: Thus, a network pharmacology was used to uncover anti-NPC pharmacological targets and mechanisms of calycosin. Additionally, validated experiments were conducted to validate the bioinformatic findings of calycosin for treating NPC. Results: As results, bioinformatic assays showed that the predictive pharmacological targets of calycosin against NPC were TP53, MAPK14, CASP8, MAPK3, CASP3, RIPK1, JUN, ESR1, respectively. And the top 20 biological processes and pharmacological mechanisms of calycosin against NPC were identified accordingly. In clinical data, NPC samples showed positive expression of MAPK14, reduced TP53, CASP8 expressions. In studies in vitro and in vivo, calycosin-dosed NPC cells resulted in reduced cell proliferation, promoted cell apoptosis. In TUNEL staining, calycosin exhibited elevated apoptotic cell number. And immunostaining assays resulted in increased TP53, CASP8 positive cells, and reduced MAPK14 expressions in calycosin-dosed NPC cells and tumor-bearing nude mice. Conclusion: Altogether, these bioinformatic findings reveal optimal pharmacological targets and mechanisms of calycosin against NPC, following with representative identification of human and preclinical experiments. Notably, some of original biotargets may be potentially used to treat NPC.

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Pharmacological Targets and the Biological Mechanisms of Formononetin for Alzheimer’s Disease: A Network Analysis

Cited by 36 publications

References 20 publications

Therapeutic targets and signaling mechanisms of vitamin C activity against sepsis: a bioinformatics study

Therapeutic targets and signaling mechanisms of vitamin C activity against sepsis: a bioinformatics study

Network analysis, and human and animal studies disclose the anticystitis glandularis effects of vitamin C

Bioinformatic and experimental findings to indicate anti-cancer targets and mechanisms of calycosin against nasopharyngeal carcinoma

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