A network pharmacology-based investigation of the mechanism of action of chrysanthemum in treating dry eye

摘要

Background:Dry eye is a chronic inflammatory disease of the ocular surface that is caused by multiple factors,characterized by pain,visual disturbance,and ocular damage.It is a common ophthalmic disease worldwide and a hot research field for scholars both domestically and internationally.This article employs network pharmacology methods to analyze the mechanism of Chrysanthemum in treating dry eye,which is a promising approach.Methods:The TCMSP(http://tcmspw.com/tcmsp.php)was used to screen for candidate active ingredient molecules of chrysanthemum with oral bioavailability≥30%and drug similarity to chrysanthemum≥0.18 as parameters.The active ingredients of chrysanthemum were searched using the“Related Targets”column in the TCMSP,followed by target prediction.Subsequently,Cytoscape 3.6.0 was employed to construct a compound-target network for chrysanthemum.The Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man and DisGeNET databases were used to identify pathogenic genes associated with dry eye.Furthermore,the STRING database was used to construct an interaction network and bar graph of intersecting target proteins in chrysanthemum to analyze protein interactions and core targets.To obtain key targets of active ingredients of chrysanthemum for treating dry eye,active ingredients targets of chrysanthemum and dry eye targets were intersected using Venny.Finally,a drug-active ingredient-key target-disease network was constructed.Gene Ontology functional annotation of key targets was performed using the WEBGESTALT database,and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment was performed using the REACTOM database.Results:Eighty active ingredients of chrysanthemum corresponding to targets were obtained.Among active ingredients,508 predicted targets were identified,along with 4180 genes associated with dry eye and 45 key targets of chrysanthemum for treating dry eye.The functions of key targets primarily include regulation of gene expression,oxidative stress,immune response,apoptosis,proliferation,regulation of cellular inflammation-related factors,and angiogenesis.The primary pathways associated with key targets include interleukin signaling,metabolism,cytokine signaling in the immune system,immune system,and signal transduction.Conclusion:Chrysanthemum facilitates regulation through multiple molecules,targets,and pathways for treating dry eye,primarily inhibiting inflammation-related factors and pathways,thereby reducing inflammation of lacrimal gland tissue and improving dry eye.