To Explore the Mechanism of Prunella Vulgaris on Lymphoma Based on Network Pharmacology and Molecular Docking

Abstract

Background. Although the traditional Chinese medicine Prunella vulgaris may be effective in treating lymphoma, its mechanism of action remains unclear. The purpose of this paper is to explore the mechanism of Prunella vulgaris against lymphoma by combining network pharmacology and molecular docking. Methods. The potential active ingredients of Prunella vulgaris were queried in the TCMSP database. Lymphoma-related genes were searched in the DisgeNet database. After removing the duplicates, the remaining active targets were compared with lymphoma genes to obtain the key target and analyzed using a Venn map. Building a network of protein interactions through String platforms. The GO and KEGG databases were used for enrichment analysis of the key targets with the help of the DAVID analysis platform. Results. A total of 39 potentially active components and 125 targets were identified from Prunella vulgaris, 7592 lymphoma-related target genes, and 101 key target genes for the intersection of Prunella vulgaris and lymphoma. GO entries were related to biological processes including enzyme binding, protein binding, positive regulation of transcription, regulation of cell proliferation, and negative regulation of cell death. KEGG analysis identified the signalling pathways of HIF-1, estrogen, NOD-like receptors, PI3K-Akt, and TNF. The binding between the selected compounds and the target molecules was modelled by molecular docking. Conclusion. Through network pharmacology, it is predicted that Prunella vulgaris may regulate multiple signalling pathways through numerous targets, and thereby affect the functions of multiple cells and playing a role in the treatment of lymphoma.