The anti-inflammatory mechanism of Er-Miao-San in the treatment of GA based on network pharmacology and molecular docking analysis

Abstract:
Objective: To analyze the anti-inflammatory mechanism of Er-Miao-San in the treatment of Gouty arthritis (GA) by using the method of network pharmacology and molecular docking, expecting to provide some theoretical guidance for the clinic. Methods: The TCMSP was used to obtain the main chemical components and corresponding targets of Atractylodis Rhizoma and Cortex Phellodendri; the Gene Cards, Drug-bank, and PharmGKB were used to get the main targets of GA. The intersecting targets were imported into the String platform to create PPI network maps. The PPI network was then imported into the String platform to create a PPI network map. The Cytoscape software was used to construct the "drug component-target-pathway" network map, and the Metascape platform was used to analyze the signaling pathways and biological processes involved. Results: (1) The core ingredients of Er-Miao-San for the treatment of gouty arthritis include wogonin, quercetin, and β-sitosterol. (2)The core targets include prostaglandin G/H synthase 2 (PTGS2), tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and interleukin-6 (IL6), etc. (3) According to GO and KEGG analysis indicated that the main signal pathways of Er-Miao-San in treating GA are IL-17, AGE-RAGE and TNF (4) The molecular docking results showed that wogonin, quercetin, and β-sitosterol in Er-Miao-San had good binding power to PTGS2, TNF and IL6.Conclusion: Ermiaosan mainly contains scutellaria baicali, quercetin, β -sitosterol, and other components. The main signaling pathways of Er-Miao-San in the treatment of gout arthritis are IL-17, age-rage, and TNF, and it plays an anti-inflammatory effect through PTGS2, TNF, IL6, and other targets. Er-Miao-San inhibits inflammatory response through multi-component, multi-target, and multi-pathway to treat GA. This study provides a scientific basis for the clinical application of Er-Miao-San.