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Potential Target Metabolites From Gut Microbiota Against Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Network Pharmacology and
Sehar Aslam1, Muhammad Qasim1, Fatima Noor1,2
1Department of Bioinformatics and Biotechnology, Government College University Faisalabad, Faisalabad, Pakistan.
Abstract:
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide, posing significant challenges and economic burdens on healthcare systems. Gut microbiota metabolites have shown promise in cancer treatment, but the specific active metabolites and their key targets remain unclear. This study employed a network pharmacology-based approach to identify potent metabolites of gut microbiota and their key targets. Active metabolites produced by gut microbiota were retrieved using the database gutMGene, and targets associated with these metabolites were identified using the Swiss Target Prediction tool. HCC-related targets were obtained from the GeneCards database, and overlapping targets were selected through a Venn diagram tool. An integrated metabolites-target-pathway network was analyzed to identify active inhibitors against HCC, including p-cresol glucuronide, secoisolariciresinol, glycocholic acid, enterodiol, and citric acid. Molecular docking tests were performed to validate the findings and assess the binding affinity of the metabolites with their target proteins. The study identified AKT1, EGFR, ALB, and TNF genes as potential therapeutic targets against hepatic cancer. The metabolites, p-cresol glucuronide, secoisolariciresinol, glycocholic acid, enterodiol, and citric acid, exhibited significant binding affinity with their respective target proteins. The study also revealed multiple signaling pathways and biological processes associated with the metabolites, demonstrating their preventive effect against HCC. This research utilizes a network pharmacology-based approach to identify potent metabolites of gut microbiota and their key targets for the treatment of HCC. The findings were validated through molecular docking tests, providing a foundation for future studies on anti-HCC metabolites and their mechanisms of action. Furthermore, this study offers insights into the development of novel anti-HCC drugs utilizing gut microbiota metabolites.
Insights
Gut microbiota metabolites show potential for treating hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This study identified key metabolites and their targets, offering new avenues for HCC drug development.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Microbiology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a major global health concern with high mortality rates.
- The role of gut microbiota metabolites in cancer therapy is promising but not fully understood.
- Identifying specific active metabolites and their targets is crucial for developing novel HCC treatments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify potent gut microbiota metabolites and their key targets for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treatment using a network pharmacology approach.
- To explore the therapeutic potential of these metabolites against HCC.
Main Methods:
- Network pharmacology approach integrating gutMGene, Swiss Target Prediction, and GeneCards databases.
- Venn diagram analysis to identify overlapping targets between metabolites and HCC.
- Construction of a metabolites-target-pathway network.
- Molecular docking to validate metabolite-target binding affinity.
Main Results:
- Identified five key metabolites: p-cresol glucuronide, secoisolariciresinol, glycocholic acid, enterodiol, and citric acid.
- Identified AKT1, EGFR, ALB, and TNF as potential therapeutic targets for HCC.
- Validated significant binding affinity between identified metabolites and their target proteins via molecular docking.
- Revealed multiple signaling pathways and biological processes indicating a preventive effect against HCC.
Conclusions:
- Gut microbiota metabolites, including p-cresol glucuronide, secoisolariciresinol, glycocholic acid, enterodiol, and citric acid, show therapeutic potential against HCC.
- AKT1, EGFR, ALB, and TNF are identified as key targets for HCC treatment.
- This study provides a foundation for developing novel anti-HCC drugs based on gut microbiota metabolites.
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