Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 19, 2025
Network Pharmacology Prediction and Experimental Validation of Trichosanthes-Fritillaria thunbergii Action Mechanism Against Lung Adenocarcinoma
Published on: March 3, 2023
Multitarget and Multipathway Regulation of Zhenqi Fuzheng Granule against Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Based On Network
Yanqing Zhou1, Chenxi Wu2, Xian Qian1
1Department of Pharmacy, Shanghai Baoshan Luodian Hospital, Shanghai 201908, China.
Abstract:
Background and Objective. The morbidity and mortality rates of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remain high. Zhenqi Fuzheng (ZQFZ) granule, which consists of Astragali Radix and Ligustri Lucidi Fructus, is commonly used to improve the immunity of cancer patients. However, the mechanism of ZQFZ granule against NSCLC is still unclear. In this study, the network pharmacology and molecular docking approaches were used to investigate the potential mechanism of ZQFZ granule on NSCLC. Methods. The ingredients in the ZQFZ granule were considered in one study based on UPLC, and the potential targets were predicted in the SwissTargetPrediction database. NSCLC targets were gathered from GeneCards, OMIM, and TTD databases. The ingredient-target-NSCLC network was drawn by Cytoscape. The protein-protein interaction was obtained from the STRING database, and the gene function and biological pathways were analyzed by Metascape. AutoDock Vina was used to verify the molecular docking between the key compounds and core targets, and PyMol visualized the results. Results. 244 targets were related to 13 candidate compounds and 1904 targets were related to NSCLC, of which a total of 106 anti-NSCLC targets were predicted. The compound-target-NSCLC network indicated that sinapinic acid, ferulic acid, asiatic acid, pratensein, and glycitein might be the key components for treating NSCLC. The 41 vital targets (out of 106 targets) above the median calculated by PPI degree were selected for bioinformatics analysis. The top 10 targets out of 41 ranked by MCC were IL-6, SRC, CTNNB1, STAT3, CASP3, TNF, EGFR, MAPK8, HSP90AA1, and PTGS2. ZQFZ granule treatment for NSCLC involved many pathways through KEGG analyses, which included pathways in cancer (hsa05200), proteoglycans in cancer (hsa05205), endocrine resistance (hsa01522), microRNAs in cancer (hsa05206), PI3K-Akt signaling pathway (hsa04151), and IL-17 signaling pathway (hsa04657). Molecular docking studies revealed that sinapinic acid, ferulic acid, asiatic acid, pratensein, and glycitein had good infinity with most core targets. Conclusions. This study indicated that ZQFZ granule with multicompounds could treat NSCLC through multitargets and multipathways.
Insights
Zhenqi Fuzheng (ZQFZ) granule may treat non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) by targeting multiple pathways and compounds. This study used network pharmacology and molecular docking to identify key components and targets for NSCLC treatment.
Area of Science:
- Integrative Oncology
- Computational Biology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has high morbidity and mortality rates.
- Zhenqi Fuzheng (ZQFZ) granule, derived from Astragali Radix and Ligustri Lucidi Fructus, is used to enhance cancer patient immunity.
- The precise mechanism of ZQFZ granule in combating NSCLC remains largely undetermined.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the potential mechanism of ZQFZ granule against NSCLC using network pharmacology and molecular docking.
- To identify key active compounds and molecular targets of ZQFZ granule relevant to NSCLC treatment.
Main Methods:
- Ingredient analysis of ZQFZ granule via UPLC and target prediction using SwissTargetPrediction.
- NSCLC target acquisition from GeneCards, OMIM, and TTD databases.
- Network construction (Cytoscape), protein-protein interaction analysis (STRING), bioinformatics analysis (Metascape), and molecular docking (AutoDock Vina).
Main Results:
- A network identified 106 anti-NSCLC targets from 13 ZQFZ compounds, with sinapinic acid, ferulic acid, asiatic acid, pratensein, and glycitein as key components.
- Bioinformatics analysis highlighted IL-6, SRC, CTNNB1, STAT3, and CASP3 as crucial targets.
- KEGG pathway analysis revealed involvement in cancer pathways, PI3K-Akt, and IL-17 signaling, supported by molecular docking.
Conclusions:
- ZQFZ granule exhibits potential for treating NSCLC through a multi-compound, multi-target, and multi-pathway mechanism.
- Network pharmacology and molecular docking provide a robust framework for understanding traditional medicine's action on complex diseases like NSCLC.
More Related Videos
08:15Network Pharmacology and Validation of the Antidepressant Mechanisms of Qiangzhifang in a Chronic Restraint Stress-induced Depression Rat Model
Published on: June 6, 2025
08:15Author Spotlight: Network Pharmacology and Molecular Docking to Decipher the Action of Jiawei Shengjiang San Against Diabetic Kidney Disease
Published on: May 10, 2024
Related Concept Videos
02:57Targeted Cancer Therapies
There are several types of targeted therapies against...
01:19Interactions Between Signaling Pathways
Convergence and divergence, and cross-talk between signaling pathways
Two distinct signaling pathways can converge on a single functional unit, which may either be a single protein or a complex of proteins. The response is either functionally distinct or synergistic between the two pathways but different from the response...
02:26Protein Networks
These interactions can be represented through maps depicting protein-protein interaction networks, represented as nodes and edges. Nodes are circles that are representative of a protein,...
01:15G Protein-coupled Receptors
GPCRs are also called heptahelical, 7TM, or serpentine receptors, and consist of seven (H1-H7) transmembrane alpha-helices that span the bilayer to form a cylindrical core. The transmembrane helices are connected by three extracellular loops and three...