Volume 2 · Issue 6 (2025)
Investigating Zhishi's Therapeutic Mechanism in Stroke Management via Network Pharmacology
Fang He
Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, China
Abstract: Purpose: To investigate the mediation process of Zhishi in stroke using network pharmacology methodologies. Methods: To pinpoint the key components and potential focus areas of Zhishi, the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology (TCMSP) database and analysis tools were put to work. Targets relevant to strokes were identified across several gene-related databases, including GeneCards, OMIM, DrugBank, and TTD. By utilizing an online Venny analysis tool, common targets between Zhishi and stroke conditions were uncovered. A network depicting these shared Zhishi-stroke targets was then mapped out with Cytoscape software. A protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was crafted using the STRING database, which was followed by a detailed topological analysis of the shared targets to pinpoint crucial ones. With RStudio, the most relevant top 10 GO terms and the top 30 KEGG pathways for these shared targets were meticulously selected and visualized for a comprehensive enrichment analysis. Result: An analysis of the Zhishi database revealed 17 active components and 111 associated targets. Notably, 78 of these targets have been linked to stroke. The herb’s primary active components are luteolin, naringenin, and nobiletin. The study underscored key targets like TNF, AKT1, and BCL2. The gene ontology enrichment indicates involvement in biological processes such as response to UV, response to xenobiotic stimulus, and response to light stimulus. Furthermore, KEGG pathway enrichment hints at how Zhishi might intervene in strokes, potentially through roles in Lipid and atherosclerosis, Prostate cancer signaling pathway, Toxoplasmosis, and Hepatitis B. Conclusion: Zhishi demonstrates therapeutic potential for stroke via its various components impacting multiple targets.
Keywords: Network Pharmacology; Stroke, Mechanism; Zhishi
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