4. Discussion
In our current study, the these in silico findings from network pharmacology approach and molecular docking analysis revealed the pharmacological targets, functions, and signaling pathways of puerarin-achieved anti-NPC. In details, all core biotargets of puerarin to treat NPC were identified via bioinformatics determination, including EGFR, TNF, TP53, CASP3, RELA, FOS, CASP8, PTGS2, IL2, PRKCB, BCL2, PRKCA, NOS3, and PPARG. Molecular docking data indicated that the binding capacity of puerarin with NPC was significant, indicating the potential and pharmacological activities of puerarin to treat NPC. FOS, a proto-oncogene, is considered to be a regulator of cell proliferation, differentiation and transformation. And the over-expression of FOS gene is also related to apoptotic cell death [28]. Prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase (PTGS) is responsible for the prostanoid biosynthesis involved in inflammation and mitogenesis when it is induced by specific stimulatory genes [29]. Some interesting data indicate that targeting suppression of PGE2 synthesis is likely to reduce bacterial infection in mice [30]. Protein kinase C (PKC), including PRKCB, PRKCA, are found to be involved in diverse cellular signaling pathways, including cancers [31]. The proteins encoded by PRKCB, PRKCA genes have been reported to be associated with numerous cellular functions, such as B cell activation, apoptosis induction, endothelial cell proliferation [32]. NOS3 (nitric oxide synthase 3), may induce nitric oxide release for regulation of angiogenesis and cell proliferation [33]. Interestingly, a NOS3 may functionally suppress the sepsis-caused systemic inflammation and myocardial dysfunction in mice [34]. Collectively, there is no associated investigation for the associations between FOS, PTGS, PRKCB, PRKCA, NOS3 and NPC. Therefore, the current in silico findings using network pharmacology uncovered all pharmacological targets, functions and signaling pathways of puerarin to treat NPC, marked by inhibition of cytonecrosis- and inflammation-associated signaling pathways, such as IL-17 signaling pathway, TNF signaling pathway, MAPK signaling pathway, HIF-1 signaling pathway. Potentially, puerarin is likely a promising active compound against NPC prior to future experimental report.