Modular pharmacology-based approach to identify hub genes and kernel pathways of taodan granules treated psoriasis

• Published in: Journal of ethnopharmacology Vol. 280; p. 114485
• Main Authors: Zhang, Ying, Song, Jian-kun, Jiang, Jing-si, Yin, Shuang-yi, Luo, Yue, Luo, Ying, Ding, Xiao-jie, Ru, Yi, Liu, Liu, Li, Wei, Kuai, Le, Li, Bin
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Ireland Elsevier B.V 15.11.2021
• Subjects: Algorithms; Animals; Disease Models, Animal; Down-Regulation - drug effects; Drugs, Chinese Herbal - chemistry; Drugs, Chinese Herbal - pharmacology; Experimental verification; HaCaT Cells; Humans; Imiquimod; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Modular pharmacology; Network Pharmacology; Psoriasis; Psoriasis - drug therapy; Psoriasis - genetics; RNA, Messenger - metabolism; Signal Transduction - drug effects; Taodan granules; Up-Regulation - drug effects; Modular pharmacology; Psoriasis; Taodan granules; Experimental verification
• ISSN: 0378-8741; 1872-7573
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2021.114485

Taodan granules (TDG) have been observed to decrease interleukins, or psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) score for psoriasis vulgaris, without significant adverse events. However, the regulatory network remains elucidated. Aim of the study: The objective is to identify critical genes and kernel pathways of TDG treated psoriasis. Firstly, construct a network of components-targets of TDG using network pharmacology. Secondly, the ClusterONE algorithm was used to build a modular network and identify critical genes and corresponding pathways. Thirdly, the critical genes and kernel pathways were verified in imiquimod (IMQ) induced psoriasis-like mice model. The results validated that TDG downregulated the mRNA expression of MMP2 (degree = 5, P < 0.05), IL6 (degree = 9, P < 0.05), TNF (degree = 14, P < 0.05), CCL2 (degree = 8, P < 0.05), CXCL2 (degree = 8, P < 0.05), IL1B (degree = 9, P < 0.05), and JUN (degree = 9, P < 0.05), while upregulated IL10 (degree = 8) expression. Besides, TDG were observed to regulate IL17 signaling pathway and TNF signaling pathway (size = 18), via the skin tissue homogenate of psoriasis-like mice. In summary, this study identified the potential targets and pathways, providing additional evidence for the clinical application of TDG treated psoriasis. [Display omitted]