To explore the mechanism of Epimedii Folium (HF) and Notoginseng Radix (NR) intervention in vascular dementia (VD). This study used the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology (TCMSP) database to collect the active ingredients and potential drug targets of HF and NR, the Uniprot database to convert drug target names into gene names, GeneCards, Drugbank, Therapeutic Target Database, and Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man database to collect the potential disease targets of VD, and then combined them with the drug targets to construct the HF-NR-VD protein-protein interaction (PPI) network by Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting (STRING). Cytoscape (version 3.7.1) was used to perform cluster analysis of the PPI network. Metascape database was used for Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis. The potential interaction of the main components of the HF-NR couplet medicine with core disease targets was revealed by molecular docking simulations. There were 23 predicted active ingredients in HF and NR, and 109 common drug targets that may be involved in the treatment of VD. Through PPI network analysis, 30 proteins were identified as core proteins owing to their topological importance. GO functional analysis revealed that the primary biological processes were mainly related to inflammation, apoptosis, and the response to oxidative stress. KEGG pathway enrichment analysis revealed that TNF and PI3K/Akt signaling pathways may occupy the core status in the anti-VD system. Molecular docking results confirmed that the core targets of VD had a high affinity for the main compounds of the HF-NR couplet medicine. We demonstrated the multi-component, multi-target, and multi-pathway characteristics of HF-NR couplet medicine for the treatment of VD and provided a foundation for further clinical application and experimental research.

Viral hepatitis B is caused by the hepatitis B virus, which is characterized by liver lesions. Bupleuri Radix and Scutellariae Radix are the main traditional medicine pairs with remarkable efficacy in hepatitis B. However, their molecular mechanisms are incompletely understood. The main active components of Bupleuri Radix and Scutellariae Radix, as well as therapeutic targets for the treatment of hepatitis B, were identified through network pharmacology techniques. We identified viral hepatitis B targets using the GeneCards, online mendelian inheritance in man, and therapeutic target databases. We discovered the active components of Bupleuri Radix and Scutellariae Radix as well as therapeutic targets using the encyclopedia of traditional Chinese medicine, HERB, traditional Chinese medicine systems pharmacology database, and a bioinformatics analysis tool for molecular mechanism of traditional Chinese medicine databases. VENNY obtained the intersections. Cytoscape and STRING were used to create the “active ingredient-potential target” network and protein interaction network. The DAVID database was used to enrich GO and KEGG pathways. The results were confirmed using the molecular docking method. There were 1827 viral hepatitis B targets, and 37 active ingredients for Bupleuri and Scutellariae Radix, with the main components being quercetin, wogonin, baicalein, and kaempferol. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF), mitogen-activated protein kinase 3 (MAPK3), interleukin-6 (IL-6), vascular endothelial growth factor A, cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase 3, transcription factor AP-1 (JUN), RAC-alpha serine/threonine-protein kinase, and cellular tumor antigen p53 are among the 78 common targets of Bupleuri Radix and Scutellariae Radix intervention in viral hepatitis B. KEGG enrichment resulted in 107 pathways, including cancer, hepatitis B, and TNF signaling pathways. According to the molecular docking technique, quercetin, wogonin, baicalein, and kaempferol had strong binding activities with TNF, MAPK3, and IL-6. In this study, we initially identified various molecular targets and multiple pathways involved in hepatitis B treatment with Bupleuri Radix and Scutellariae Radix.

Background: Qingshu Yiqi decoction combined with general western medicine are important and prevalent recently treatment method of corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) with Delta variant, but the efficacy and safety were not clear. This meta-analysis aims to clarify their clinical efficacy and safety thus to provide evidence for clinical application. Methods: We searched Chinese databases CNKI, Wanfang, VIP and English databases PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase for the current study. The retrieval time was from the establishment to November, 2021. Literature quality was evaluated according to the bias risk assessment criteria of Cochrane Collaboration network. RevMan 5.3 and Stata 12.0 were used to perform this research. Results: The efficacy and safety of Qingshu Yiqi decoction combined with western medicine for COVID-19 with Delta variant were evaluated in terms of total effective rate, TCM syndrome score, negative conversation rate of viral nucleic acid, disappearance rate of clinical symptoms (such as fever, cough, and fatigue), CT improvement, white blood cell (WBC), lymphocyte (LYM) and adverse reaction rate. Conclusion: This study provides reliable evidence-based support for the clinical efficacy and safety of Qingshu Yiqi decoction as a complementary and alternative therapy for COVID-19 with Delta variant. PROSPERO registration number: CRD42021271606.

Background: Tongxinluo capsule, a formally classical commercial Chinese polyherbal preparation, has been utilized to treat patients with acute myocardial infarction for decades.Purpose: This meta-analysis aimed to comprehensively evaluate the clinical outcomes of tongxinluo capsule treated acute myocardial infarction.Methods: Randomized controlled trials evaluating the effectiveness of tongxinluo capsule alone or in combination with conventional therapy in patients with acute myocardial infarction were identified from eight major databases: Chinese Biomedical Medicine, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang Med Database, China Science and Technology Journal Database, PubMed, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. In addition, two clinical trial registry platforms (clinicalTrials.gov and the WHO International Clinical Trials) were also searched for relevant studies, with the search extending to all published literature until December 2024. The initial screening and evaluation of the studies were carried out by two independent reviewers who assessed each study according to predefined eligibility criteria. The risk of bias in the research was evaluated using the Cochrane Collaboration’s methodology for assessing methodology. Meta-analysis was carried out using RevMan 5.3 software, and publication bias was assessed utilizing StataMP 14.0. The evidence’s quality was determined by the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation process.Results: This research included a total of 36 randomized controlled trials with 7002 patients. The meta-analysis revealed that Tongxinluo capsule combined with conventional treatment significantly decreased the 1-month MACCE rate (RR = 0.62, 95% CI 0.47 to 0.81; p = 0.0007), along with the individual risks of 1-month MACCE, including cardiac death (RR = 0.68, 95% CI 0.50 to 0.93; p = 0.02) and myocardial reinfarction (RR = 0.11, 95% CI 0.01 to 0.94; p = 0.04). After 12 months of treatment, the MACCE rate (RR = 0.61, 95% CI 0.49 to 0.75; p < 0.00001), cardiac death (RR = 0.69, 95% CI 0.50 to 0.96; p = 0.03), myocardial reinfarction (RR = 0.32, 95% CI 0.13 to 0.75; p = 0.009), and stroke (RR = 0.42, 95% CI 0.20 to 0.87; p = 0.02) were also reduced. The remaining secondary outcomes—1-month stroke (RR = 0.44, 95% CI 0.44 to 1.44; p = 0.18), 12-month (RR = 0.12, 95% CI 0.01 to 2.14; p = 0.15) emergent coronary revascularization, 12-month all-cause mortality (RR = 0.78, 95% CI 0.60 to 1.01; p = 0.06)—showed no differences. Furthermore, the combination of Tongxinluo capsule and conventional therapy increased the incidence of the adverse drug reaction, mainly gastrointestinal discomfort (RR = 1.80, 95% CI 1.14 to 2.84; p = 0.01). However, there were no differences in the liver function levels of aspartate transaminase (SMD = −0.24, 95% CI -0.54 to −0.07; p = 0.12) and alanine aminotransferase (SMD = −0.25, 95% CI -0.55 to 0.05; p = 0.11), or the kidney function levels of blood urea nitrogen (SMD = 0.32, 95% CI -0.21 to 0.86; p = 0.23) and creatinine (SMD = 0.10, 95% CI -0.20 to 0.40; p = 0.52).Conclusion: Current data indicates that Tongxinluo capsule, used as an adjuvant treatment, may enhance clinical outcomes for AMI patients at 1- and 12-month. Moreover, it may enhance heart function, regulate lipid peroxidation, and suppress inflammatory levels.

Explore Acori Tatarinowii Rhizoma (ATR) and Polygalae Radix (PR) mechanisms in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) treatment through network pharmacology. ATR-PR was investigated in the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology (TCMSP) database, Batman, and Traditional Chinese Medicines Integrated Database (TCMID) to gather information on its chemical components and target proteins. Target genes associated with AD were retrieved from the GeneCards and National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) databases. The integration of these datasets with potential targets facilitated the construction of an AD and ATR-PR protein-protein interaction (PPI) network using the STRING database. The resulting network identified the core active ingredients and main targets of ATR-PR in AD treatment. Cluster analysis of the PPI network was performed using Cytoscape 3.7.1. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses were conducted using the Metascape database. Molecular docking simulations revealed potential interactions between the main active ingredients and core targets. Our analysis identified 8 putative components and 455 targets of ATR-PR. We systematically searched for 1306 genes associated with AD, conducted Venn diagram analysis resulting in 156 common targets, and constructed a PPI network with 57 key targets. GO functional analysis highlighted the primary biological processes associated with oxidative stress. KEGG pathway enrichment analysis revealed the involvement of 64 signaling pathways, with the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway playing a key role. Molecular docking analysis indicated a high affinity between the potential targets of ATR-PR and the main compounds of AD. This study sheds light on the complex network of interactions involving ATR-PR in the context of AD. The identified targets, pathways, and interactions provide a foundation for understanding the potential therapeutic mechanisms. The involvement of oxidative stress-related processes and the crucial role of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway suggest avenues for targeted therapeutic interventions in Alzheimer’s disease treatment. Our proposition of the combined use of ATR-PR has emerged as a potential treatment strategy for AD, supported by a network pharmacology approach. This framework provides a robust foundation for future clinical applications and experimental research in the pursuit of effective Alzheimer’s disease treatments.

Background: Methotrexate and leflunomide are classic treatments for rheumatoid arthritis (RA), however, which is the best choice for patients of RA is still an important question clinically, and this meta-analysis is used to systematically evaluate and compare their efficacy and safety. Methods: We searched PubMed, Cochrance Library, Embase, SinoMed, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, China Science and Technology Journal Database, WanFang Data databases. The retrieval time was from the establishment to September 7, 2021. Literature screening, data extraction, and quality assessment were performed according to the Cochrane risk of bias tool. Meta-analysis of the included studies was performed using RevMan 5.3 software and Stata 12.0 software. Results: The clinical efficacy and safety of leflunomide and methotrexate are evaluated by American College of Rheumatology (ACR)20/50/70, DAS28, total effective rate, adverse reaction rate, morning stiffness, swollen joint count, tender joint count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, and rheumatoid factor. Conclusion: The results of this meta-analysis will provide reliable evidence clinical efficacy and safety for RA. More high-quality randomized controlled trials are still needed to provide more reliable evidence for the treatment of RA. PROSPERO number: CRD42021270980