Exploration on Action Mechanism of "Astragali Radix-Chuanxiong Rhizoma" Herb Pair in Treating Cerebral Small Vessel Disease Based on Network Pharmacology and Molecular Docking Techniques
Abstract:Objective:To analyze the action mechanism of the "Astragali Radix-Chuanxiong Rhizoma" herb pair in treating cerebral small vessel disease(CSVD)based on network pharmacology and molecular docking techniques. Methods:The active components and related targets of Astragali Radix and Chuanxiong Rhizoma were retrieved from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform(TCMSP). The protein targets were then input into the UniProt database to obtain the corresponding gene targets. CSVD-related targets were identified using the GeneCard and Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man(OMIM)databases. The Venny online tool was used to perform intersection analysis between drug targets and disease-related targets to identify common targets. A proteinprotein interaction(PPI)network was constructed using the STRING database platform to reveal potential key regulatory nodes and signaling pathways. Cytoscape 3.8.2 was used to draw the "drug-component-target-disease" network diagram and screen core targets. Gene Ontology(GO)function and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG)pathway enrichment analyses were performed using the DAVID online tool. Molecular docking validation of core targets and core active components was conducted using AutoDock Vina 1.1.2 software. Results: The "Astragali Radix-Chuanxiong Rhizoma" herb pair was found to have 11 effective active components for treating CSVD,with key components including quercetin, kaempferol, isorhamnetin, 7-O-methylisomucronulatol, and formononetin. A total of 184 intersecting targets were identified, with core targets including interleukin (IL) - 6, caspase-3 (CASP3) , matrix metalloproteinase-9(MMP9), AKT serine/threonine kinase 1(AKT1), B-cell lymphoma-2(BCL2), hypoxiainducible factor 1α(HIF1α), tumor protein p53(TP53), prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2(PTGS2), and transforming growth factor - β1(TGFβ1). GO functional enrichment analysis indicated biological processes such as responses to molecule of bacterial origin, cellular response to chemical stress, and response to oxidative stress metabolism. KEGG pathway analysis revealed key pathways involving lipid metabolism regulation,vascular responses to hemodynamic changes,and advanced glycation end-product receptor signaling. Molecular docking results showed that hederagenin and AKT1,as well as calycosin and MMP9,had strong binding affinities. Conclusion:The "Astragali Radix-Chuanxiong Rhizoma" herb pair treats CSVD through multi-component, multi-target, and multi-pathway synergistic effects. Its mechanism can be related to the regulation of inflammatory responses, oxidative stress, apoptosis,and vascular homeostasis.