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.