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Background: and Purpose: Fuzitang decoction (FZT), a classic prescription of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), has excellent efficacy in treating gouty arthritis (GA). However, the underlying molecular mechanism remains obscure. In the present study, we aimed to explore the underlying mechanisms of FZT in treating GA by virtual screening combined with experimental verification. Methods: In this study, the active components of FZT and their corresponding targets were screened from the TCMSP database and TargetNet database. Then, the potential targets of FZT against GA were retrieved from multiple databases to generate a network. Protein-protein interaction, herbal-component-target, Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment, and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses were applied to identify potential targets and related signaling pathways. Furthermore, molecular docking simulation was applied to identify the interactions between the drug and targets. Finally, in vitro experiments were conducted to validate the potential targets and signaling pathways. Results: In the present study, several crucial components, including kaempferol, luteolin, catechin, deoxyandrographolide, and perlolyrine in FZT, were obtained through network pharmacology, and several potential targets to treat GA were developed, such as PPARG, CYP3A4, PTGS2 (known as COX2), VEGFA, and CYP1A1. Experimental validation suggested that deoxyandrographolide significantly suppressed the expression of IL-1ß, COX2, NLRP3 and IL-6 in inflammatory monocyte cells. Conclusions: Our results identified a novel anti-inflammatory compound, deoxyandrographolide, which helps to explain the potential mechanism of FZT in treating GA and provides evidence to support FZT's clinical use.
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Objective: Tic disorders (TDs) are common mental disorders in children and adolescents, and the clinical application of acupuncture for treating TDs is becoming increasingly widespread. However, the criteria for selecting acupoint prescriptions and combinations have not been summarized. Therefore, data mining was used herein to determine the treatment principles and the most effective acupoint selection and compatibility criteria for the treatment of TDs. Methods: Clinical studies and observations of the efficacy of acupuncture treatment for TDs were obtained from the PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang, VIP, and Chinese Biomedical (CBM) databases. The data on the acupoint prescriptions applied in these studies were collected, and network and association analyses were used to reveal the relationships between acupoints and to identify acupoint combinations. Additionally, the principles of acupuncture for TDs were determined through cluster analysis. Subgroup analysis of acupuncture prescriptions based on specific categorical diagnoses was performed to further assess the selection of acupoints. Results: Eighty-six trials were identified, and 257 groups of effective prescriptions involving 121 acupoints were extracted. Bai-hui (DU20), Feng-chi (GB20), Tai-chong (LR3), He-gu (LI4), and San-yin-jiao (SP6) were the most regularly used acupoints for treating TDs. The Governor Vessel, gallbladder, and large intestine meridians were more commonly used than other meridians. Moreover, most acupoint sites focused on the head and neck. Network analysis revealed potentially effective acupoint prescriptions for their commonly used acupoints, namely, Bai-hui (DU20), Si-shen-cong (EX-HN1), Feng-chi (GB20), Nei-guan (PC6), Shen-men (HT7), He-gu (LI4), Zu-san-li (ST36), San-yin-jiao (SP6) and Tai-chong (LR3). Association rule mining indicated that potential point combinations that should be prioritized in TD treatment are Bai-hui (DU20), Neiguan (PC6) and Sanyinjiao (SP6). Cluster analysis revealed the treatment principle of "coordinating yin and yang, tonifying qi and blood, dispelling pathogenic wind and eliminating phlegm". The core acupoint prescription of TS treatment comprised He-gu (LI4), Feng-chi (GB20), Tai-chong (LR3), Bai-hui (DU20), Yin-tang (EX-HN3), Si-shen-cong (EX-HN1), San-yin-jiao (SP6), and Nei-guan (PC6). The core group included He-gu (LI4) and Feng-chi (GB20). Proximal points were usually used in TS as an additional method of point selection. Conclusion: Using data mining analysis of published studies, this study provides valuable information regarding the selection of the most effective acupoints and point combinations for clinical acupuncture practice for treating TDs.