Abstract:

The present study aimed to analyze the potential mechanism of action of Chaihu-Astragalus in treating alcoholic liver fibrosis using network pharmacology and molecular docking techniques. We initially screened the active ingredients and targets of Chaihu-Astragalus through the TCMSP database. Additionally, we identified disease-related targets associated with alcoholic liver fibrosis via the GeneCards database, subsequently obtaining the intersection targets of Chaihu-Astragalus for treating alcoholic liver fibrosis. Using Cytoscape software, we constructed a “drug-active ingredient-intersection target” network and evaluated the network’s major active ingredients. The intersection targets were then subjected to protein-protein interaction network analysis using the STRING database to identify possible core targets. GO functional and KEGG pathway enrichment analyses were conducted using the DAVID platform. Molecular docking verification of key active ingredients and core targets was performed using Schrödinger software and the Maestro platform. We identified 26 active ingredients and 180 potential targets (intersection targets). Key active compounds, such as quercetin, kaempferol, prickly mangosteen, isorhamnetin, and Areapillin, were highlighted. Core targets were also identified, including AKT1, TP53, JUN, TNF, and IL-6. Enrichment analyses revealed that potential targets were mainly associated with PI3K-Akt, TNF, MAPK, and other signaling pathways. Chaihu-Astragalus acted on multiple targets such as AKT1, TP53, and JUN primarily through various active ingredients like quercetin and kaempferol. Thus, it affected treating alcoholic liver fibrosis through multiple signaling pathways, such as PI3K-Akt, TNF, and MAPK. It demonstrated characteristics of being multi-component, multi-target, and multi-pathway in its approach.

Key words: Alcoholic liver fibrosis, Chaihu-Astragalus, Network pharmacology, Molecular docking