Analysis of Mechanism of Modified Wuzi Yanzong Decoction for Parkinson's Disease with Depression Based on Network Pharmacology and Molecular Docking Technology
Abstract: Objective: To analyze the potential mechanism of action of modified Wuzi Yanzong Decoction, a formula developed by Professor HU Wanhua, a renowned Zhejiang Provincial Chinese medicine practitioner, in treating Parkinson's disease with depression (dPD) using network pharmacology and molecular docking technology. Methods:The active ingredients and corresponding targets of modified Wuzi Yanzong Decoction were screened using the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP). The dPD-related targets were retrieved from the GeneCards, and DisGeNET databases. A protein-protein interaction (PPI) network of overlapping targets was constructed using the Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes/Proteins (STRING) database to predict core targets. Gene Ontology (GO) functional annotation and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes( KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis of the overlapping targets were performed using the Metascape database. Finally,molecular docking between active ingredients and core targets was validated using AutoDock Tools. Results: A total of 76 active ingredients of modified Wuzi Yanzong Decoction were identified, corresponding to 276 targets. A total of 538 dPD disease targets were retrieved, yielding 48 overlapping targets. The analysis highlighted key active ingredients such as quercetin, kaempferol, and isorhamnetin, and core targets including interleukin-6 (IL-6), protein kinase B1 (AKT1), tumor necrosis factor (TNF), and nuclear receptor subfamily 3 group C member 1( NR3C1). KEGG enrichment analysis primarily involved pathways such as the cyclic adenosine monophosphate( cAMP) signaling pathway, calcium signaling pathway, neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction, serotonergic synapse, and cholinergic synapse. Molecular docking showed that NR3C1 exhibited strong binding affinities with quercetin, kaempferol, and isorhamnetin. Conclusion: Modified Wuzi Yanzong Decoction may participate in the therapeutic process of dPD by acting on targets such as IL-6, AKT1, TNF, and NR3C1 through active ingredients including quercetin, kaempferol, and isorhamnetin, thereby regulating pathways including the cAMP signaling pathway, calcium signaling pathway,neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction,serotonergic synapse,and cholinergic synapse.