Exploring the mechanism of Danshen in treating Kawasaki disease through network pharmacology and molecular docking approaches.

This study aims to identify the primary active components of Danshen (Salvia miltiorrhiza) and explore the potential mechanisms underlying its therapeutic effect on Kawasaki disease (KD). Active components of Danshen and their action targets were screened using traditional Chinese medicine systems pharmacology and SwissTargetPrediction databases. KD-related targets were retrieved from Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man, Pharmacogenomics Knowledge Base, and GeneCards databases. Intersection targets between KD-related genes and the main active components of Danshen were identified. The protein-protein interaction network for intersecting targets of Danshen and KD was constructed using Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes/Proteins database and Cytoscape software, and core genes were identified. Gene ontology functions and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment analysis of Danshen-KD intersecting targets were performed using database for annotation, visualization, and integrated discovery database. Molecular docking was conducted using Autodock software. A total of 65 active components of Danshen and 219 drug-related target proteins were identified, establishing 1308 KD-related human genes. The intersection yielded 70 potential drug targets associated with KD. Construction of the protein-protein interaction network for these common targets revealed 7 core genes: IL6, TNF, AKT1, BCL2, STAT3, CASP3, and TP53. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment analysis indicated that these targets were primarily enriched in pathways such as Pathways in Cancer, Lipid and Atherosclerosis, and Fluid Shear Stress and Atherosclerosis. Molecular docking results demonstrated that core active components of Danshen, including luteolin, tanshinone IIA, NSC 122421, (Z)-3-[2-[(E)-2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)vinyl]-3,4-dihydroxy-phenyl]acrylic acid, and cryptotanshinone, could regulate the 7 core genes within these pathways. Danshen treats Kawasaki disease through a multicomponent, multi-target approach, potentially involving anti-inflammatory, antiapoptotic, antitumor, and anti-atherosclerotic mechanisms. This study provides scientific evidence for the use of Danshen in treating Kawasaki disease and offers new clues for targeting in the treatment of KD with traditional Chinese medicine.