Exploring the mechanism of Guizhi Tang in preventing and treating frostbite based on network pharma-cology and protein module analysis
Objective To explore the key targets and modules of Guizhi Tang in preventing and treating frostbite based on network pharmacology and protein module analysis theory,and elaborate its mechanism of action.Methods The active compounds of traditional Chinese medicinal herbs in Guizhi Tang that meet the conditions(OB≥30％and DL≥0.18)were screened using the TCMSP da-tabase.The targets of the obtained active ingredients were predicted through the BATMAN database.Frostbite-related genes were searched through the CTD,GeneCards,and OMIM disease databases,and the targets were standardized using the UniProt database.GO and KEGG pathway enrichment a-nalysis was performed on the common targets of Guizhi Tang and frostbite using the String database.Cytoscape 3.7.0 software was used to construct a weighted network of"herb-active compound-target-pathway"of Guizhi Tang to obtain key targets.Hierarchical clustering and agglomerative algorithms were then used to perform modular analysis on the protein-protein interaction network,and key mod-ules were screened based on the key targets.Enrichment analysis was performed on each module.Re-sults A total of 146 compounds meeting the requirements were screened from the five traditional Chinese medicinal herbs.602 drug targets of Guizhi Tang components and 744 disease targets of frostbite were predicted,and 45 targets were obtained after taking the intersection.Fifteen key tar-gets were screened out from the constructed"active compound-target-pathway"weighted network,mainly including TNF,PTGS2,IL1B,etc.Four key protein modules were obtained,namely cluste-ring modules 1,2,3,and 4.Among them,clustering module 1 is mainly related to tumor necrosis factor signaling pathways,fluid shear stress and atherosclerosis,and arachidonic acid metabolism,all of which act on vascular endothelial cells.Clustering module 2 is mainly related to the regulation of inflammatory responses and the coagulation system.Clustering module 3 is mainly related to oxi-dative metabolic reactions and heat production.Clustering module 4 is mainly related to the regula-tion of stimulation by external factors.Conclusion Guizhi Tang can play a role in preventing and treating frostbite by intervening in biological processes related to skin vascular endothelial cells,in-flammatory responses,coagulation and thrombus formation,oxidative metabolic reactions,and heat production.
Guizhi TangFrostbiteNetwork pharmacologyProtein module analysisHierarchi-cal clustering and agglomerative algorithm
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NSTL
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