Affiliation:
1. Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
2. Department of Medical Image, Qingdao Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Qingdao Hiser Hospital, Qingdao, China
Abstract
Background:
Non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is one of the most prevalent malignancies
and poses a significant threat to human health. Qing-Jin-Hua-Tan (QJHT) decoction is a
classical herbal remedy that has demonstrated therapeutic effects in various diseases, including
NSCLC, and can improve the quality of life of patients with respiratory conditions. However, the
mechanism underlying the effect of the QJHT decoction on NSCLC remains unclear and requires
further investigation.
Methods:
We collected NSCLC-related gene datasets from the GEO database and performed differential
gene analysis, followed by using WGCNA to identify the core set of genes associated
with NSCLC development. The TCMSP and HERB databases were searched to identify the active
ingredients and drug targets, and the core gene target datasets related to NSCLC were merged to
identify the intersecting targets of drugs and diseases for GO and KEGG pathway enrichment
analysis. We then constructed a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network map of drug diseases
using the MCODE algorithm and identified key genes using topology analysis. The disease-gene
matrix underwent immunoinfiltration analysis, and we analyzed the association between intersecting
targets and immunoinfiltration.
Results:
We obtained the GSE33532 dataset that met the screening criteria, and a total of 2211
differential genes were identified using differential gene analysis. We performed GSEA analysis
and WGCNA analysis for a crossover with differential genes, resulting in 891 key targets for
NSCLC. The drug database was screened to obtain 217 active ingredients and 339 drug targets of
QJHT. By constructing a PPI network, the active ingredients of QJHT decoction were intersected
with the targets of NSCLC, resulting in 31 intersected genes. Enrichment analysis of the intersection
targets showed that 1112 biological processes, 18 molecular functions, and 77 cellular compositions
were enriched in GO functions, and 36 signaling pathways were enriched in KEGG
pathways. Based on immune-infiltrating cell analysis, we found that the intersection targets were
significantly associated with multiple infiltrating immune cells.
Conclusion:
Our analysis using network pharmacology and mining of the GEO database revealed
that QJHT decoction can potentially treat NSCLC through multi-target and multi-signaling pathways,
while also regulating multiple immune cells.
Funder
Qingdao Scientific Plan of Medicine
Publisher
Bentham Science Publishers Ltd.
Subject
Drug Discovery,Molecular Medicine,General Medicine