Exploring the mechanisms of artemisinin and its derivatives in the treatment of atopic dermatitis based on network pharmacology and molecular docking: A review.

This study investigates the therapeutic mechanisms of artemisinin (ARS) and its derivatives in atopic dermatitis (AD) using network pharmacology and molecular docking. Molecules and disease targets were screened using public databases, including SwissTargetPrediction, PharmMapper, and Genecards. Core targets were identified, and a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed using STRING and Cytoscape for topological analysis. Relevant data were obtained from the DAVID database for Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis. Molecular docking of ARS and its derivatives with target genes was performed using AutoDock, with results visualized in Pymol. A functional PPI network was established, and molecular docking demonstrated strong binding activity between ARS derivatives and target protein. Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase14 (MAPK14) and Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase10 (MAPK10) was found to be a common target for their treatment of AD. ARS and its derivatives may treat AD by modulating pathways such as Prolactin signaling, cancer pathways, neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction, and IL-17 signaling. ARS and its derivatives have the potential to treat AD. Artemisinin, artesunate, dihydroartemisinin, artemether, artemisinin and artemisinone could potentially treat AD by targeting MAPK14 and MAPK10.