title: Systems Pharmacology Uncovers the Multiple Mechanisms of Xijiao Dihuang Decoction for the Treatment of Viral Hemorrhagic Fever.
abstract: Background. Viral hemorrhagic fevers (VHF) are a group of systemic diseases characterized by fever and bleeding, which have posed a formidable potential threat to public health with high morbidity and mortality. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) formulas have been acknowledged with striking effects in treatment of hemorrhagic fever syndromes in China's history. Nevertheless, their accurate mechanisms of action are still confusing. Objective. To systematically dissect the mechanisms of action of Chinese medicinal formula Xijiao Dihuang (XJDH) decoction as an effective treatment for VHF. Methods. In this study, a systems pharmacology method integrating absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME) screening, drug targeting, network, and pathway analysis was developed. Results. 23 active compounds of XJDH were obtained and 118 VHF-related targets were identified to have interactions with them. Moreover, systematic analysis of drug-target network and the integrated VHF pathway indicate that XJDH probably acts through multiple mechanisms to benefit VHF patients, which can be classified as boosting immune system, restraining inflammatory responses, repairing the vascular system, and blocking virus spread. Conclusions. The integrated systems pharmacology method provides precise probe to illuminate the molecular mechanisms of XJDH for VHF, which will also facilitate the application of traditional medicine in modern medicine.
authors.affiliation: College of Life Science, Northwest University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710069, China; Center of Bioinformatics, College of Life Science, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China.
authors.forename: Jianling
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: College of Life Science, Northwest University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710069, China; Center of Bioinformatics, College of Life Science, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China.
authors.forename: Tianli
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Pei
authors.affiliation: College of Life Science, Northwest University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710069, China; Center of Bioinformatics, College of Life Science, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China.
authors.forename: Jiexin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mu
authors.affiliation: Center of Bioinformatics, College of Life Science, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China.
authors.forename: Chunli
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Zheng
authors.affiliation: Center of Bioinformatics, College of Life Science, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China.
authors.forename: Xuetong
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Center of Bioinformatics, College of Life Science, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China.
authors.forename: Chao
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.affiliation: Center of Bioinformatics, College of Life Science, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China.
authors.forename: Yingxue
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Fu
authors.affiliation: College of Life Science, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310000, China.
authors.forename: Zongsuo
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Liang
authors.affiliation: Center of Bioinformatics, College of Life Science, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China.
authors.forename: Yonghua
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Wang