However, impediments to progress include insufficient clinical research evidence, typically low-quality evidence, a deficiency in comparative analyses among pharmaceuticals, and a dearth of academic evaluations. Subsequent research efforts, including high-quality clinical studies and economic analyses, are vital for providing more data in support of evaluating the four CPMs.
The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of single Hirudo prescriptions in the treatment of ischemic cerebrovascular disease (ICVD), utilizing both frequency network and traditional meta-analysis approaches. Using the CNKI, Wanfang, VIP, SinoMed, PubMed, EMbase, and Cochrane Library databases, a search for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of single Hirudo prescriptions for ICVD was performed, encompassing all publications from the database's inception through May 2022. CP-690550 ic50 The Cochrane risk of bias tool was applied to evaluate the quality of the literature that was included. In conclusion, the analysis encompassed 54 randomized controlled trials and a supplementary 3 single leech prescriptions. The statistical analysis was achieved through the use of RevMan 5.3 and Stata SE 15. Based on a network meta-analysis, the clinical efficacy, measured by the surface under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA), demonstrated a hierarchical relationship among treatments: Huoxue Tongmai Capsules combined with conventional therapy outperformed Maixuekang Capsules plus conventional therapy, which in turn outperformed Naoxuekang Capsules plus conventional therapy, and finally, conventional therapy alone. Regarding ICVD treatment safety, the traditional meta-analysis found that Maixuekang Capsules, when administered alongside conventional therapies, yielded a higher safety rate than the use of conventional treatment alone. Traditional and network meta-analyses indicated that combining conventional treatment with a single Hirudo prescription yielded improved clinical outcomes for ICVD patients. The combined approach exhibited a reduced risk of adverse events compared to conventional treatment alone, highlighting its safety profile. Despite this, the methodological quality of the articles comprising this analysis was generally low, and substantial variations were observed in the number of articles regarding the three combined medication regimens. Thus, the conclusions of this study depended on subsequent validation by way of a randomized controlled trial.
Examining the prominent research hotspots and advancing directions of pyroptosis within the context of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), the authors conducted a comprehensive literature review, using CNKI and Web of Science as their primary resources. Following rigorous selection criteria, they analyzed the publication trends of the chosen pyroptosis studies in TCM. Network diagrams illustrating author collaborations and keyword co-occurrences were produced using VOSviewer. Keyword clustering, the identification of emergent topics, and a timeline view were accomplished using CiteSpace. Ultimately, 507 works of Chinese literature and 464 of English literature were incorporated, revealing a consistent and substantial rise in publications each year in both genres. The co-occurrence patterns of authors pointed to a significant research team in Chinese literature, made up of DU Guan-hua, WANG Shou-bao, and FANG Lian-hua, whereas a similar team in English literature comprised XIAO Xiao-he, BAI Zhao-fang, and XU Guang. Keyword analysis of TCM research, represented in Chinese and English, unveiled that inflammation, apoptosis, oxidative stress, autophagy, organ damage, fibrosis, atherosclerosis, and ischemia-reperfusion injury were crucial research subjects. The investigated active ingredients were berberine, resveratrol, puerarin, na-ringenin, astragaloside, and baicalin. The NLRP3/caspase-1/GSDMD, TLR4/NF-κB/NLRP3, and p38/MAPK signaling pathways were among the principal research areas. Timeline analysis, keyword clustering, and the study of emerging trends in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) pyroptosis research revealed a concentration on understanding how TCM monomers and compounds affect disease mechanisms and pathological processes. The therapeutic effects of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) on pyroptosis are currently a central theme of research, with considerable attention directed at deciphering the underlying mechanisms.
The current investigation sought to illuminate the primary active constituents and potential mechanisms of Panax notoginseng saponins (PNS) and osteopractic total flavones (OTF) in the treatment of osteoporosis (OP) using network pharmacology, molecular docking, and in vitro cellular experiments. The intended outcome was a theoretical basis for potential clinical applications. Literature searches and online databases yielded the blood-entering components of PNS and OTF, while their potential targets were identified via the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP) and SwissTargetPrediction. The OP targets were ascertained via the use of Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM) and GeneCards. Using Venn analysis, the common targets for the drug and disease were determined. Cytoscape was utilized to generate a “drug-component-target-disease” network, and the central components within the network were identified via node degree analysis. STRING and Cytoscape served to create a protein-protein interaction network of shared targets, and the essential core targets were identified via node degree analysis. R language was employed in the GO and KEGG enrichment analysis of potential therapeutic targets. To evaluate the binding activity of active components to key targets, the computational approach of molecular docking with AutoDock Vina was applied. After considering the results of KEGG pathway analysis, the HIF-1 signaling pathway was selected for verification via in vitro experiments. Network pharmacology analysis identified a correlation between 45 active constituents, including leachianone A, kurarinone, 20(R)-protopanaxatriol, 20(S)-protopanaxatriol, and kaempferol, and 103 therapeutic targets such as IL6, AKT1, TNF, VEGFA, and MAPK3. The enrichment of PI3K-AKT, HIF-1, TNF, and other signaling pathways was noted. Molecular docking procedures confirmed the core components' significant binding capability with respect to the core targets. CP-690550 ic50 PNS-OTF's capacity to upregulate the mRNA expression levels of HIF-1, VEGFA, and Runx2, as observed in in vitro studies, points to a possible role for PNS-OTF in OP treatment through activation of the HIF-1 pathway. This effect potentially promotes angiogenesis and osteogenic differentiation. The current study, leveraging network pharmacology and in vitro validation, uncovered the primary targets and pathways by which PNS-OTF acts against osteoporosis. Demonstrating multi-component, multi-target, and multi-pathway synergy, this research proposes a novel perspective on future clinical interventions for osteoporosis.
By combining GC-MS and network pharmacology, the study explored the essential oil of Gleditsiae Fructus Abnormalis (EOGFA) for its active constituents, potential therapeutic targets, and mechanism of action against cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. Experiments verified the effectiveness of the constituent parts. Specifically, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was employed to determine the components of the volatile oil. In the second instance, network pharmacology predicted the targets of the constituents and diseases, generating a drug-constituent-target network. Subsequently, Gene Ontology (GO) term enrichment and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment were performed on the core targets. A molecular docking study was performed to determine the binding affinity of the active components towards the targeted molecules. Finally, SD rats were the subjects selected for the experimental verification. The I/R injury model was put in place; thus, neurological behavior scores, infarct volumes, and the pathological morphology of brain tissue were assessed in each corresponding group. The levels of interleukin-1 (IL-1), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-) were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Western blot analysis was employed to assess vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) protein expression. Following screening, 22 active components and 17 core targets were excluded. A network of 56 GO terms, including the KEGG pathways of TNF signaling, VEGF signaling, and sphingolipid signaling, was linked to the core targets. Through molecular docking simulations, the active components exhibited a significant binding affinity for the respective targets. EOGFA, based on animal trials, was shown to ameliorate neurological deficits, shrink the cerebral infarct, reduce levels of cytokines (IL-1, IL-6, TNF-), and downregulate the production of VEGF. Network pharmacology's partial results were subjected to experimental verification and found to be accurate. EOGFA's intricate characteristics, involving multiple components, multiple targets, and multiple pathways, are explored in this study. The mechanism of action of Gleditsiae Fructus Abnormalis' active constituents correlates with TNF and VEGF pathways, paving the way for in-depth research and secondary development.
Utilizing a combined network pharmacology and mouse model of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced depression, this paper aimed to delve into the antidepressant effects of Schizonepeta tenuifolia Briq. essential oil (EOST) and the related mechanistic pathways. CP-690550 ic50 Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis identified the chemical components present in EOST, allowing for the selection of 12 active compounds for further study. Traditional Chinese Medicines Systems Pharmacology (TCMSP) and the SwissTargetPrediction database were used to derive the EOST-related targets. Scrutiny of depression-related targets utilized GeneCards, Therapeutic Target Database (TTD), and Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM).