The Pharmacological Mechanism of the Effect of Plant Extract Compound Drugs on Cancer Pain Based on Network Pharmacology

Abstract

Objective. We systematically analyzed the mechanism of plant-derived drugs alleviating cancer pain in our hospital through network pharmacology, so as to provide the possibility of further application of traditional Chinese medicine in the treatment of cancer pain. Methods. We used TCMSP, ETCM, and TCMID databases to mine the active ingredients of plant-derived drugs. We combined OMIM, GeneCards, and DrugBank databases to mine and match the common targets of plant-derived drugs for cancer pain. We used the STRING platform and Cytoscape software to analyze and screen out the core targets. We used GO and KEGG methods to analyze the biological processes, molecular functions, cellular composition, and signaling pathways involved in the reduction of cancer pain by plant-derived drugs. Results. We found 153 active ingredients from botanical drugs by TCMSP (Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform, TCMSP), ETCM (The Encyclopedia of Traditional Chinese Medicine), and TCMID (Traditional Chinese Medicine Integrated Database) databases, covering 341 protein targets in human body. Combined with OMIM (Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man), GeneCards, and DrugBank databases, we excavated and matched 141 targets of plant-derived drugs and cancerous pain diseases. Through the analysis of the STRING platform and Cytoscape software, 19 core targets including TNF, MAPK1, JUN, and IL-6 were screened out. Go and KEGG enrichment showed that plant-derived drugs alleviated cancer pain processes involving 193 biological processes, 47 molecular functions, 22 cell components, and 118 signaling pathways. By screening genes involved in KEGG signaling pathway, it was found that plant-derived drugs were mainly associated with PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, tumor necrosis factor signaling pathway, MAPK signaling pathway, Toll-like receptor signaling pathway, and HIF-1 signaling pathway in alleviating cancer pain. Conclusion. These results indicate that botanical drugs can positively affect the expression of inflammatory factors and apoptotic factors in the process of treatment and relief of cancer pain, which is expected to have a potential therapeutic effect on the relief of cancer pain.

An exploration of the effect of Chinese herbal compound on the occurrence and development of large intestine cancer and intestinal flora

“…In herbal formulation, Hedyotis diffusa Willd is cold in nature, sweet and bitter in flavor, and nontoxic [ 36 , 37 ]. It primarily affects the stomach, large intestine, and small intestine meridians, providing functions such as clearing heat, detoxifying, treating carbuncles, promoting blood circulation, and relieving pain [ 38 ]. Scutellaria barbata D.Don medicine trait is pungent, bitter, and cold.…”

“…Scutellaria barbata D.Don medicine trait is pungent, bitter, and cold. Its efficacy mainly acts on the lung, liver, kidney, and large intestine, and it can clear heat and detoxify, promote blood circulation and remove blood stasis, reduce swelling, and relieve pain [ 38 , 39 ]. Hedyotis diffusa Willd and Scutellaria barbata D.Don , when used in combination as a medicinal pair, exhibited anti-tumor effects.…”

Clinical characteristics and survival outcomes in patients aged 75 years or older with advanced colorectal cancer treated using traditional Chinese medicine: an observational retrospective study

“…Quality of life and survival in patients with bone metastases is markedly decreased due to pain, walking difficulties, pathological fractures, and neurological impairment ( Rocha et al, 2022 ). Although TCM cannot reverse bone metastasis, it can have a positive effect on expression levels of markers of inflammation, apoptosis, and remission, thereby relieving pain and improving quality of life ( Shen et al, 2022 ).…”