Nutrients, Vol. 16, Pages 4409: Investigation into the Potential Mechanism of Radix Paeoniae Rubra Against Ischemic Stroke Based on Network Pharmacology
Nutrients doi: 10.3390/nu16244409
Authors:
Tingyu Wen
Guang Xin
Qilong Zhou
Tao Wang
Xiuxian Yu
Yanceng Li
Shiyi Li
Ying Zhang
Kun Zhang
Ting Liu
Beiwei Zhu
Wen Huang
Background: Radix Paeoniae Rubra (RPR), an edible and medicinal Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), is extensively employed in therapeutic interventions of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. However, the curative effect of RPR on ischemic stroke remains ambiguous. This work integrated network pharmacology, molecular docking, and experimental validation to explore the mechanisms of RPR in treating ischemic stroke. Methods: In this study, we preliminarily elucidated the therapeutic effect and mechanism of RPR on ischemic stroke through network pharmacology, molecular docking analysis, and experimental verification. Results: The results indicated that RPR improved the neurological deficit scores, decreased the size of infarcts, and reduced brain edema symptoms in the tMCAO mice model. Furthermore, through network pharmacology and molecular docking, four core targets (MAPK3, TNF-α, MAPK14, and JNK) closely related to RPR’s treatment of ischemic stroke were identified, exhibiting strong affinity with two key active components of RPR: albiflorin (AF) and β-sitosterol (BSS). The Western blot showed the potential mechanism of RPR treatment for ischemic stroke by regulating the MAPK signaling pathway. Moreover, RPR and its main active ingredients exhibited a significant inhibitory effect on platelets. Conclusion: In conclusion, this study revealed that RPR alleviates ischemic injury by activating the MAPK signaling pathway, and its protective effect may partly stem from inhibiting platelet activation. This work may provide a scientific basis for the development and utilization of RPR as a natural edible material to prevent ischemic stroke and anti-platelet therapy.
Background: Radix Paeoniae Rubra (RPR), an edible and medicinal Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), is extensively employed in therapeutic interventions of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. However, the curative effect of RPR on ischemic stroke remains ambiguous. This work integrated network pharmacology, molecular docking, and experimental validation to explore the mechanisms of RPR in treating ischemic stroke. Methods: In this study, we preliminarily elucidated the therapeutic effect and mechanism of RPR on ischemic stroke through network pharmacology, molecular docking analysis, and experimental verification. Results: The results indicated that RPR improved the neurological deficit scores, decreased the size of infarcts, and reduced brain edema symptoms in the tMCAO mice model. Furthermore, through network pharmacology and molecular docking, four core targets (MAPK3, TNF-α, MAPK14, and JNK) closely related to RPR’s treatment of ischemic stroke were identified, exhibiting strong affinity with two key active components of RPR: albiflorin (AF) and β-sitosterol (BSS). The Western blot showed the potential mechanism of RPR treatment for ischemic stroke by regulating the MAPK signaling pathway. Moreover, RPR and its main active ingredients exhibited a significant inhibitory effect on platelets. Conclusion: In conclusion, this study revealed that RPR alleviates ischemic injury by activating the MAPK signaling pathway, and its protective effect may partly stem from inhibiting platelet activation. This work may provide a scientific basis for the development and utilization of RPR as a natural edible material to prevent ischemic stroke and anti-platelet therapy. Read More