title: Elucidation of the Anti-Inflammatory Mechanisms of Bupleuri and Scutellariae Radix Using System Pharmacological Analyses.
abstract: Objective.This study was aimed at elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying the anti-inflammatory effect of the combined application of Bupleuri Radix and Scutellariae Radix and explored the potential therapeutic efficacy of these two drugs on inflammation-related diseases.Methods.After searching the databases, we collected the active ingredients of Bupleuri Radix and Scutellariae Radix and calculated their oral bioavailability (OB) and drug-likeness (DL) based on the absorption-distribution-metabolism-elimination (ADME) model. In addition, we predicted the drug targets of the selected active components based on weighted ensemble similarity (WES) and used them to construct a drug-target network. Gene ontology (GO) analysis and KEGG mapper tools were performed on these predicted target genes.Results.We obtained 30 compounds from Bupleuri Radix and Scutellariae Radix of good quality as indicated by ADME assays, which possess potential pharmacological activity. These 30 ingredients have a total of 121 potential target genes, which are involved in 24 biological processes related to inflammation.Conclusions.Combined application of Bupleuri Radix and Scutellariae Radix was found not only to directly inhibit the synthesis and release of inflammatory cytokines, but also to have potential therapeutic effects against inflammation-induced pain. In addition, a combination therapy of these two drugs exhibited systemic treatment efficacy and provided a theoretical basis for the development of drugs against inflammatory diseases.
authors.affiliation: College of Pharmacy, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China.
authors.forename: Xia
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Shen
authors.affiliation: College of Pharmacy, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China.
authors.forename: Zhenyu
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.affiliation: College of Pharmacy, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China.
authors.forename: Hao
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Bioinformatics Center, College of Life Science, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China.
authors.forename: Zihu
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Guo
authors.affiliation: College of Pharmacy, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China.
authors.forename: Benxiang
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.affiliation: College of Pharmacy, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China.
authors.forename: Gang
authors.identifier: 0000-0001-6763-2254
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Zhang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D029972:Bupleurum / Q000737:chemistry*; D003198:Computer Simulation; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000494:pharmacology; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D031364:Scutellaria baicalensis / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D016207:Cytokines; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D005419:Flavonoids; D010936:Plant Extracts