The Affiliated Hospital of Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 310015, China.
Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China.
Crit Rev Immunol. 2024;44(1):1-16. doi: 10.1615/CritRevImmunol.2023050214.
Qufeng Zhitong capsule (QFZTC) is a traditional Chinese herbal formula with potential therapeutic efficacy in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This study seeks to clarify the potential effects and mechanisms of QFZTC against RA. Active compounds and targets of QFZTC were retrieved from the Herbal Ingredients' Targets (HIT), Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP), and Traditional Chinese Medicine Integrated Database (TCMID) databases. RA-related targets were searched on GeneCards and DisGeNET databases. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was established using the STRING database. Gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Gene and Genome (KEGG) enrichment analyses were performed on hub targets. Molecular docking was conducted on hub targets and active compounds. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was applied to characterize the active compounds in QFZTC. RA-fibroblast like synoviocytes (RA-FLSs) were cultured and treated by QFZTC-containing serum, in which proinflammatory cytokines and hub targets were detected. Cell viability was determined by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay. A total of 360 active compounds and 445 potential targets are identified for QFZTC against RA. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) network determined five hub targets, interleukin 6 (IL6), IL1B, VEGFA, JUN, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF). GO and KEGG analyses revealed that the MAPK pathway may be a critical signaling in QFZTC treating RA. Molecular docking showed that luteolin, kaempferol, and myricetin has good affinity with TNF, and they were identified by HPLC. In vitro experiments confirmed that QFZTC restrained the cell viability and inflammation in RA. This study revealed the active compounds and molecular targets for QFZTC treating RA. QFZTC is a promising drug and ameliorates RA by inhibiting inflammatory response.
祛风止痛胶囊（QFZTC）是一种具有治疗类风湿关节炎（RA）潜力的中药配方。本研究旨在阐明 QFZTC 对 RA 的潜在作用和机制。从 Herbal Ingredients' Targets（HIT）、Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform（TCMSP）和 Traditional Chinese Medicine Integrated Database（TCMID）数据库中检索 QFZTC 的活性化合物和靶点。在 GeneCards 和 DisGeNET 数据库中搜索 RA 相关靶点。使用 STRING 数据库建立蛋白质-蛋白质相互作用（PPI）网络。对关键靶点进行基因本体（GO）和京都基因与基因组百科全书（KEGG）富集分析。对关键靶点和活性化合物进行分子对接。采用高效液相色谱（HPLC）对 QFZTC 中的活性化合物进行表征。培养 RA 成纤维样滑膜细胞（RA-FLSs）并给予含 QFZTC 的血清处理，检测促炎细胞因子和关键靶点。通过细胞计数试剂盒-8（CCK-8）测定细胞活力。共鉴定出 360 种活性化合物和 445 个潜在靶点用于 QFZTC 治疗 RA。PPI 网络确定了五个关键靶点，白细胞介素 6（IL6）、IL1B、VEGFA、JUN 和肿瘤坏死因子（TNF）。GO 和 KEGG 分析表明，MAPK 通路可能是 QFZTC 治疗 RA 的关键信号通路。分子对接表明，木犀草素、山奈酚和杨梅素与 TNF 具有良好的亲和力，并通过 HPLC 进行了鉴定。体外实验证实，QFZTC 可抑制 RA 细胞活力和炎症。本研究揭示了 QFZTC 治疗 RA 的活性化合物和分子靶点。QFZTC 是一种有前途的药物，通过抑制炎症反应改善 RA。
