[Exploring the mechanism of core acupoints of acupuncture treatment for ovarian function decline-related diseases...

To explore the acupoint compatibility patterns of acupuncture for ovarian function decline-related diseases using complex network technology, and to analyze the mechanism of core acupoints through network acupuncture methods.

Literature regarding acupuncture for ovarian function decline-related diseases was retrieved from CNKI, Wanfang, VIP, SinoMed, PubMed, EMbase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science databases from their inception to April 8th, 2024. Frequency analysis, association rule analysis, and complex network analysis were conducted on the selected acupoints to identify core acupoint prescriptions. Core acupoint targets were analyzed from the retrieved literature, and targets for ovarian function decline-related diseases were identified using GeneCards, Therapeutic Target, and DisGeNET databases. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks were constructed for intersecting targets using the STRING database. gene ontology (GO) enrichment analysis and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis were performed using R software. A "core acupoint-target-pathway" network diagram of acupuncture for ovarian function decline-related diseases was constructed using Cytoscape software.

A total of 133 studies were included, extracting 186 acupoint prescriptions involving 101 acupoints. The core prescription consisted of 15 acupoints, and 73 acupoint targets were identified, involving 13 core acupoints, including Guanyuan (CV4), Sanyinjiao (SP6), Shenshu (BL23), Zhongwan (CV12), Zusanli (ST36), Zhongji (CV3), Qihai (CV6), Baihui (GV20), Taichong (LR3), Taixi (KI3), Ciliao (BL32), Zigong (EX-CA1), and Guilai (ST29). There were 40 intersecting targets between the core acupoints and ovarian function decline-related diseases, with key targets including tumor protein 53, protein kinase B alpha, interleukin 1 beta, interleukin 6, interleukin 10, tumor necrosis factor, and nuclear factor kappa B subunit 1. These targets were associated with multiple signaling pathways such as T-helper 17 (Th17) cell differentiation, inflammatory bowel disease, hepatitis B, influenza A, and human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1) infection, regulating biological processes including apoptosis, inflammatory response, and immune response.

The core acupoints of acupuncture for ovarian function decline-related diseases exert therapeutic effects by acting on multiple targets and pathways, thereby delaying ovarian aging. This provides a theoretical basis for the mechanism research of acupoint prescriptions.