Analysis of the Efficacy and Pharmacological Mechanisms of Action of Zhenren Yangzang Decoction on Ulcerative Colitis Using Meta-Analysis and Network Pharmacology

Guosheng Xing; Yufeng Zhang; Xinlin Wu; Hua Wang; Yan Liu; Zhen Zhang; Mingxing Hou; Haibing Hua

doi:10.1155/2021/4512755

Analysis of the Efficacy and Pharmacological Mechanisms of Action of Zhenren Yangzang Decoction on Ulcerative Colitis Using Meta-Analysis and Network Pharmacology

Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2021 Dec 28:2021:4512755. doi: 10.1155/2021/4512755. eCollection 2021.

Authors

Guosheng Xing^{1

2}, Yufeng Zhang³, Xinlin Wu², Hua Wang², Yan Liu⁴, Zhen Zhang^{1

2}, Mingxing Hou^{1

2}, Haibing Hua⁵

Affiliations

¹ Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210008, China.
² Department of General Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia 010050, China.
³ Department of Respiratory Medicine, Jiangyin Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jiangyin Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Jiangyin, Jiangsu 214400, China.
⁴ Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia 010050, China.
⁵ Department of Gastroenterology, Jiangyin Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jiangyin Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Jiangyin, Jiangsu 214400, China.

Abstract

Objective: We analyzed the efficacy and pharmacological mechanisms of action of Zhen Ren Yang Zang decoction (ZRYZD) on ulcerative colitis (UC) using meta-analysis and network pharmacology.

Methods: The major databases were searched for randomized controlled trials of ZRYZD for the treatment of UC. Meta-analysis of the efficacy of ZRYZD on UC was conducted using RevMan software. Active compounds and target genes were acquired using the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform. UC-related genes were searched using the GeneCards database. Gene Ontology (GO) functional enrichment and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses were performed using RGUI. A compound-target network was constructed using Cytoscape software, and a protein-protein interaction network was constructed using the STRING database. Molecular docking simulations of the macromolecular protein targets and their corresponding ligand compounds were performed using the AutoDock tool and AutoDock Vina software.

Results: Meta-analysis revealed that the total effective rate and recovery rate of clinical efficacy were significantly higher in the experimental group than those of the control group. The screening identified 169 active compounds and 277 active target genes for ZRYZD. The 277 active target genes were compared with the 4,798 UC-related genes. This identified 187 active target genes of ZRYZD for UC that correlated with 138 active compounds. GO functional enrichment and KEGG pathway enrichment analyses were performed, and compound-target and protein-protein interaction networks were constructed. The key compounds and key target proteins were then selected. Finally, target protein binding with the corresponding compound was analyzed using molecular docking.

Conclusion: Our findings demonstrate the effectiveness and safety of ZRYZD for the treatment of UC and provide insight into the underlying pharmacological mechanisms of action. Furthermore, key compounds were identified, laying the foundation for future studies on ZRYZD for the treatment of UC.