This article contains findings obtained from research on animals:
- The results from animal research studies should not be directly applied to humans and the results may not generalise to the human population.
- There may be significant differences between species in terms of physiology, physiology, and pharmacology, as well as differences in the way diseases and treatments are modelled in animals.
- Any conclusions drawn from animal research should be considered with caution and in the context of other types of research studies such as observational studies, clinical trials, and reviews of the literature.
Insights & Discussion
Gui Zhi Fu Ling Wan can lessen the expression of certain proteins, which may be key to its ability to impede abnormal tissue invasion and metastasis in adenomyosis.
Firstly, an approach called network pharmacology was utilized which involved identifying active components of GuizhiFuling Wan (GFW), its drug targets and disease targets through public databases, and finding shared targets. The biological function and pathway of GFW in treating adenomyosis were analyzed. Then, the interaction and strength of binding between key components and targets of GFW were verified by a method known as molecular docking. In the animal part of the study, the impact of GFW on the expression of several proteins in mice with adenomyosis was observed using different staining, protein analysis, and immunohistochemical techniques.
Through collecting and intersecting data, 26 common targets were identified, with the key active compounds being baicalein, sitosterol, and -sitosterol, and the key targets being certain proteins. Enrichment analyses showed that processes such as the positive regulation of vascular endothelial migration and signaling pathways were involved in regulating angiogenesis, invasion, and metastasis in adenomyosis. Furthermore, the molecular docking results suggested that the key active compounds had substantial binding potential with the key proteins.
In vivo analysis suggested that GFW could decrease the serum content and protein expression of certain proteins in mice with adenomyosis. These findings reinforce the hypothesis that reducing the expression of these proteins might be a significant mechanism for GFW in inhibiting the invasion and metastasis of atypical tissues associated with adenomyosis.
Discover Related Insights
Gui Zhi Fu Ling Wan treats adenomyosis by intervening in local estrogen signalling pathways and affecting estrogen resistance via myometrium signalling pathways.
2021 Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine Integrating Network Pharmacology and Experimental Validation Deciphers the Mechanism of Guizhi Fuling Wan against Adenomyosis Wang H, Zhang J, Zhu Q, Fu X, Li C
Network Pharmacology Adenomyosis Gui Zhi Fu Ling Wan
This study utilized network pharmacology, molecular docking and animal experiments to understand the treatment mechanisms of Guizhi Fuling Wan on adenomyosis. Initially, key indices and target components of the traditional Chinese medicine were identified through various databases, which resulted in isolation of 55 active ingredients and 44 targets specifically related to adenomyosis treatment. These components were then subjected to protein interaction analysis and compound-hub target network constructions. Main active elements and hub targets were subsequently studied with molecular docking tech.
The pathway enrichment analysis showed that the medicinal effects were primarily linked to estrogen signaling, endocrine resistance, and a specific tyrosine kinase signaling pathway. The molecular docking revealed that significant compounds of Guizhi Fuling Wan had a strong binding ability with a couple of cellular receptors. Animal trials indicated that this medicine could reduce abnormal infiltration of specific cells without interrupting normal sexual cycles. These results point towards the importance of the estrogen signaling pathway and cell receptors in the treatment capabilities of Guizhi Fuling Wan.