Huang Xu, Pan Zhihong, Shen Lei, Chen Huan, Chen Chang, Lv Tingting, Mei Yuzhou
Department of Gastroenterology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430060, P.R. China.
Department of Gastroenterology, The First College of Clinical Medical Science, China Three Gorges University, Jiefang Road No. 2, Xiling District, Yichang, Hubei, 443000, P.R. China.
Hereditas. 2025 Apr 21;162(1):67. doi: 10.1186/s41065-025-00434-3.
Weiqi Decoction (WQD) is an empirical prescription traditionally used in China for the treatment of precancerous gastric cancer (GC) lesions. This study aimed to elucidate the potential pharmacological mechanisms of WQD in GC therapy.
Active ingredients, corresponding targets, and GC-related genes were identified using public databases. A protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed via the STRING database, and functional enrichment analyses were conducted using the DAVID platform. Gene expression and survival analyses were performed using the GEPIA database. Molecular docking was conducted with AutoDock Vina and visualized using PyMOL. The effects of WQD on GC cell viability, proliferation, migration, and invasion were evaluated through CCK-8, colony formation, and Transwell assays.
WQD contained 43 active ingredients targeting 751 potential genes, including 458 GC-related targets. Quercetin, luteolin, and kaempferol were identified as key active compounds. PPI network analysis revealed nine core targets, including TP53 and SRC, which may mediate the anti-GC effects of WQD. GO enrichment analysis indicated involvement in 726 biological processes, 91 cellular components, and 177 molecular functions, while KEGG pathway analysis suggested modulation of the AGE-RAGE, PI3K-Akt, and HIF-1 signaling pathways. GEPIA database analysis confirmed that EP300, HSP90AA1, HSP90AB1, SRC, and TP53 were highly expressed in GC. Molecular docking demonstrated strong binding affinities between the key active compounds and core targets. In vitro experiments further validated that WQD extract inhibited GC cell viability, proliferation, migration, and invasion.
WQD exhibits therapeutic potential against GC by regulating multiple targets and signaling pathways. These findings provide mechanistic insights into the pharmacological actions of WQD in GC treatment.
萎芪汤（WQD）是中国传统用于治疗胃癌（GC）癌前病变的经验方。本研究旨在阐明萎芪汤治疗GC的潜在药理机制。
利用公共数据库鉴定活性成分、相应靶点和GC相关基因。通过STRING数据库构建蛋白质-蛋白质相互作用（PPI）网络，并使用DAVID平台进行功能富集分析。使用GEPIA数据库进行基因表达和生存分析。使用AutoDock Vina进行分子对接，并使用PyMOL进行可视化。通过CCK-8、集落形成和Transwell实验评估萎芪汤对GC细胞活力、增殖、迁移和侵袭的影响。
萎芪汤含有43种活性成分，靶向751个潜在基因，包括458个GC相关靶点。槲皮素、木犀草素和山奈酚被确定为关键活性化合物。PPI网络分析揭示了9个核心靶点，包括TP53和SRC，它们可能介导萎芪汤的抗GC作用。GO富集分析表明参与726个生物学过程、91个细胞成分和177个分子功能，而KEGG通路分析表明对AGE-RAGE、PI3K-Akt和HIF-1信号通路有调节作用。GEPIA数据库分析证实EP300、HSP90AA1、HSP90AB1、SRC和TP53在GC中高表达。分子对接表明关键活性化合物与核心靶点之间具有很强的结合亲和力。体外实验进一步验证了萎芪汤提取物抑制GC细胞活力、增殖、迁移和侵袭。
萎芪汤通过调节多个靶点和信号通路展现出对GC的治疗潜力。这些发现为萎芪汤在GC治疗中的药理作用提供了机制性见解。
