Title:A Network Pharmacology Approach to Reveal the Underlying Mechanisms of Zuogui Yin in the Treatment of Male Infertility
VOLUME: 23
Author(s):Qi Zhao, Hengheng Dai, Jisheng Wang, Fei Yan, Guejin Jang, Jianxiong Ma, Bin Wang* and Haisong Li*
Affiliation:Department of Andrology, Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing 100700, Beijing, Department of Andrology, Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing 100700, Beijing, Department of Andrology, Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing 100700, Beijing, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, Beijing, Department of Andrology, Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing 100700, Beijing, Department of Andrology, Hang Zhou Red Cross Hospital, Hangzhou 310003, Zhejiang, Department of Andrology, Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing 100700, Beijing, Department of Andrology, Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing 100700, Beijing
Keywords:Network pharmacology, Male infertility, Zuogui Yin, Traditional Chinese Medicine, GO, KEGG
Abstract:Background and Aim: Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), as a complementary and alternative therapy, has
played increasingly important roles in clinical treatment and disease prevention. Zuogui Yin (ZGY) is one of the well-known
TCM prescription used for the treatment of male infertility. To fully reveal the potential mechanisms underlying the therapeutic
effects of ZGY on male infertility, a network pharmacology approach was conducted at the molecular level.
Methods: Network pharmacology approach was used in this study, which mainly included active compound screening, target
prediction, gene enrichment analysis and network analysis.
Results: The network analysis successfully identified 148 potential active ingredients of ZGY and 155 predicted targets that
were associated with male infertility. ZGY might play a role in the treatment of male infertility by regulating ten hub targets
(VEGFA, CASP3 , TNF, AKT1, EGF, EGFR, IL-6, MAPK1, TP53 and PTGS2) and six pathways (TNF signaling pathway,
PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, FoxO signaling pathway, Toll-like receptor signaling pathway, VEGF signaling pathway and
MAPK signaling pathway).
Conclusion: This study explored the pharmacological activity and molecular mechanisms of ZGY against male infertility
from a holistic perspective. The underlying molecular mechanisms were closely related to the intervention of oxidative stress
and apoptosis with CASP3, TP53, AKT1 and MAPK1 being possible targets.
