Exploring the mechanism of Danggui Sini Decoction in the treatment of myocardial infarction: A systematic review, network pharmacology, and molecular docking

Li Z, Liu S, Zhang R, Li B · Medicine · 2024 October 18

Objective

To investigate the mechanism, main components, and main targets of Danggui Sini Decoction (DSD) in treating myocardial infarction (MI) using network pharmacology and molecular docking.

Conclusions

DSD was found to have 120 primary active ingredients and 561 putative active target genes, with main therapeutic targets including TP53, EGFR, AKT1, IL6, TNF, STAT3, IL1B, CTNNB1, SRC, MYC, JUN, and INS. The study revealed potential interactions of DSD drugs with AKT1, EGFR, TP53, and TNF through specific compounds, suggesting a multi-component, multi-pathway, and multi-target mode of action for preventing MI.

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Insights

The Danggui Sini Decoction, a Traditional Chinese Medicine, may prevent myocardial infarction by positively influencing cell proliferation, inflammatory responses, and aging processes.

The researchers utilized network pharmacology and molecular docking to uncover the main components and targets of Danggui Sini Decoction (DSD) in the treatment of myocardial infarction. They examined myocardial infarction-related genes using the Genecards database and screened the active ingredients of DSD based on criteria relating to oral bioavailability and drug likeness. To understand the relationship between these components and their potential targets, the researchers generated a protein-protein interaction network diagram using the STRING database. Findings of the investigation led to the identification of 120 primary active ingredients and 561 putative active target genes. The main therapeutic targets were a number of genes associated with processes such as inflammation and cell proliferation. Furthermore, the researchers conducted gene ontology and Kyoto encyclopedia of gene and genome analyses to understand the pathways that DSD acts upon in treating myocardial infarction. The results indicated that DSD treatment involves the positive regulation of certain cellular cascades signifying positive impact on cell proliferation, inflammatory responses, aging, and other biological processes. Molecular docking results indicate potential interactions between DSD and certain genes, suggesting its role in treatment.