Optimizing medication strategies for liver cancer: unraveling the mechanisms of key drug combinations in the comprehensive guide to effective tumor prescriptions

doi:10.5246/jcps.2024.07.048

Abstract

Abstract:

This study delved into the formulaic patterns of liver cancer treatment outlined in "The Complete Book of Good Tumor Prescriptions" and explored the action mechanisms of core traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) combinations. Initially, liver cancer treatment formulas were extracted from the aforementioned book, and Excel 2017 was employed for calculating the frequency, properties, and meridians associated with the TCMs. IBM SPSS Modeler 18.0 was utilized for the analysis of TCM association rules, and Cytoscape 3.7.2 was employed for the visualization of these rules. Subsequently, network pharmacology was utilized to analyze the action mechanisms of core TCM combinations, leveraging TCMSP, TCMID, Genecards, DAVID, and other databases. The results revealed the inclusion of 131 prescriptions encompassing 303 TCMs. The core TCMs predominantly comprised those invigorating blood circulation and removing blood stasis, clearing heat, and tonifying deficiencies. The flavor of the TCMs was chiefly bitter or pungent, with a prevailing cold property entering the liver and spleen meridians. Association analysis indicated that the support of Angelicae sinensis radix-Trionycis carapax was the highest. Network pharmacology predictions indicated that Angelicae sinensis radix-Trionycis carapax possessed 20 target genes associated with anti-liver cancer properties, including IL-6, MAPK3, and SRC. Gene survival analysis demonstrated high expression of MAPK3 and SRC in liver cancer patients, correlating with a poor prognosis. KEGG analysis identified major anti-liver cancer pathways for Angelicae sinensis radix-Trionycis carapax, encompassing the cancer pathway, TNF signaling pathway, and prolactin signaling pathway. In summary, this study elucidated that TCMs for liver cancer treatment primarily consisted of invigorating blood circulation and removing blood stasis, antipyretic, and tonifying medicines. The core TCM pair, Angelicae sinensis radix-Trionycis carapax, appeared pivotal in this context. The underlying mechanism might involve the modulation of key genes, such as MAPK3 and SRC, and the regulation of pathways, including the cancer pathway, TNF signaling pathway, and prolactin signaling pathway.

Key words: The Complete Book of Good Tumor Prescriptions, Liver cancer, Angelicae sinensis radix, Trionycis carapax, Data mining, Network pharmacology

Supporting:

Xiao Zhang, Ye Zhong, Yongsheng Hu, Bolong Wang. Optimizing medication strategies for liver cancer: unraveling the mechanisms of key drug combinations in the comprehensive guide to effective tumor prescriptions[J]. Journal of Chinese Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2024, 33(7): 647-658.

Figures/Tables 11

Table 1. The usage frequency and efficacy of core TCMs.

Table 2. Association rules of TCMs.

Table 3. Distribution of common factors.

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