Chinese Journal of Applied Chemistry ›› 2024, Vol. 41 ›› Issue (5): 687-702.DOI: 10.19894/j.issn.1000-0518.230318

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The Anti-Cervical Cancer Mechanism of Shaofu Zhuyu Decoction Based on Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometry Combined with Network Pharmacology

Xuan HU1, Tong-Chuan WU1, Xin-Dan AI1, Xing-Yue HE2, Hong-Kang XU1, Fei ZHENG1, Hao YUE1(), Yu-Lin DAI1()   

  1. 1.Jilin Ginseng Academy,Changchun University of Chinese Medicine,Changchun 130117,China
    2.School of Rehabilitation Medicine,Changchun University of Chinese Medicine,Changchun 130117,China
  • Received:2023-10-12 Accepted:2024-03-09 Published:2024-05-01 Online:2024-06-03
  • Contact: Hao YUE,Yu-Lin DAI
  • About author:daiyl@ccucm.edu.cn
    yuehao@ccucm.edu.cn
  • Supported by:
    Jilin Scientific and Technological Development Program(20210401065YY)

Abstract:

The objective of this study was to elucidate the chemical components of Shaofu Zhuyu Decoction (SFZYD) and to investigate its potential anti-cervical cancer mechanism. This study applied UHPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap MS technique, in combination with network pharmacology and molecular docking, to predict and analyze the important components, targets, and pathways of SFZYD involved in its anti-cervical cancer effect. CCK-8 assay, Hoechst 33342 staining assay, flow cytometry, and WB assay were employed to detect the apoptosis and related gene protein expression levels of HeLa cells. The results revealed that 89 compounds, belonging to phenylpropanoids, flavonoids, terpenoids, alkaloids, organic acids, volatile oils, phthalides, coumarins, benzaldehydes, amino acids, phenols, and others, were identified. Through in-depth exploration of network pharmacology and molecular docking, seven key components, eight core targets, and ten cervical cancer related signaling pathways of SFZYD were screened out to combat cervical cancer. Cell experiments demonstrated that compared with the blank control group, the survival rate of HeLa cells in the treatment group gradually decreased, and the apoptosis rate gradually increased in a concentration-dependent manner (P<0.05). Furthermore, SFZYD could increase the expression levels of Bax, Cyto c, Caspase 9, Caspase 3, and decrease the expression levels of PI3K, AKT, and Bcl-2. This suggested that SFZYD might exert its anti-cervical cancer effect on targets such as TP53, AKT1, and EGFR through components such as quercetin, paeoniflorin, baicalein, kaempferol, ST057701, eugenol, and ellagic acid. Its mechanism was closely associated with the regulation of PI3K/AKT pathway and Bcl-2 family, fully reflecting the characteristics of multi-component, multi-target, and multi-pathway.

Key words: Shaofu Zhuyu Decoction, UHPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap MS, Chemical composition, Cervical cancer, Network pharmacology

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