Analysis of Medication Rules of Traditional Chinese Medicine for Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease of Phlegm-Stasis Intermingled Type Based on Data Mining and Network Pharmacology
Abstract: Objective: To analyze the medication rules of traditional Chinese medicine for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD)of phlegm-stasis intermingled type using data mining and network pharmacology. Methods: Literature on traditional Chinese medicine treatment of NAFLD of phlegm-stasis intermingled type was retrieved from CNKI, CBM, and VIP databases up to October 2024. Excel 2016 and IBM Modeler 18.0 were used for statistical analysis of herb properties,frequency,and association rules to identify the most strongly correlated herb pair(Crataegi Fructus - Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix). Systems pharmacology methods were employed to construct herb-active component-target networks and protein-protein interaction(PPI) networks of herb-disease key targets. Metascape database was used for gene and pathway enrichment analysis. Key components and targets were screened for molecular docking validation. Results:108 prescriptions involving 169 herbs were included. High-frequency herbs(>56 uses): Crataegi Fructus, Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix, Alismatis Rhizoma, and Poria. Herb properties were predominantly slightly cold and warm; flavors mainly bitter, sweet, and acrid. Channel entry mainly distributed on liver, spleen, and lung. Key efficacies were mainly urination promoting and swelling-reducing, qi-tonifying, and qi-regulating herbs. Association rule analysis showed Crataegi Fructus-Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix had the highest support(70.37%). A total of 65 potential active components and 51 NAFLD-related targets were identified for this pair. GO analysis revealed involvement in insulin response, negative regulation of apoptotic signaling, and reactive oxygen species response. KEGG enrichment highlighted cancer pathways,lipid/atherosclerosis,IL-17 signaling,and T-cell receptor signaling pathways. Conclusion:Traditional Chinese medicine treatment of NAFLD of phlegm-stasis intermingled type primarily uses bitter and slightly cold herbs targeting liver and spleen regulation, with Crataegi Fructus-Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix as the core herb combination.