Study on mechanism of action of Buyang Huanwu Decoction in treating osteoporosis: Network pharmacological analysis and molecular docking verification

Abstract

Abstract Objective Buyang Huanwu Decoction is a classic Chinese medicine, which is often used to prevent and treat stroke. Studies have shown that it has a significant effect on cerebral ischemia, atherosclerosis, spinal cord injury and other diseases. In recent years, some scholars have begun to use it for the treatment of osteoporosis, and have achieved remarkable results. However, its mechanism on osteoporosis has not been explored so far. Therefore, this study will use network pharmacological analysis and molecular docking methods to predict its mechanism, so as to provide reference for future research. Methods Related active ingredients and targets of Buyang Huanwu Decoction were collected through TCMSP database, and related disease targets of osteoporosis were collected through GeneCards, OMIM and DisGeNET database. Venny 2.1.0 software was used to obtain the intersection target genes of Buyang Huanwu decoction and osteoporosis. Cytoscape 3.9.0 software was used to construct PPI network and select core targets.Metascape database was used to perform GO and KEGG enrichment analysis of related targets. Finally, the main active ingredients and key targets were verified by molecular docking. Results There were 166 potential targets of Buyang Huanwu decoction in the treatment of osteoporosis, including 42 core targets. The signaling Pathways mainly include pathways in cancer, AGE-RAGE signaling pathway in diabetic complications, Chemical carcinogenesis receptor activation, Relaxin signaling pathway, Proteoglycans in cancer, etc. Molecular docking results showed that the main active components of Buyang Huanwu decoction had stable binding activity with key targets. Conclusions Buyang Huanwu Decoction can improve bone mineral density and delay the progression of osteoporosis through multiple targets and signaling pathways.