Potential mechanisms of Shenmai injection against POCD based on network pharmacology and molecular docking

Abstract

Background

As the population ages, the number of patients with postoperative cognitive dysfunction increases. This study aims to investigate the mechanisms of Shenmai injection as a therapeutic strategy for postoperative cognitive dysfunction using a network pharmacology approach.

Methods

Shenmai injection and its targets were retrieved from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology database. Postoperative cognitive dysfunction-associated protein targets were identified using the GeneCards and DisGeNET databases. Subsequently, a protein-protein interaction network was constructed using the String database. For treating postoperative cognitive dysfunction, the core targets of Shenmai injection were identified through topological analysis, followed by the Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment analyses performed for annotation. Molecular docking was performed on the screened core targets and components.

Results

One hundred and eighty-two related targets of Shenmai injection in treating postoperative cognitive dysfunction were identified. Eleven active ingredients in Shenmai injection were detected to have a close connection with postoperative cognitive dysfunction-related targets. Additionally, Gene Ontology analysis revealed 10 biological processes, 10 cellular components and 10 molecular functions. The Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analysis identified 20 signaling pathways. The docking results indicated five active ingredients from Shenmai injection can fit in the binding pockets of all three candidate targets.

Conclusions

Thus, the present work systematically explored the anti-postoperative cognitive dysfunction mechanism of potential targets and signaling pathways of Shenmai injection. These results provide an important reference for subsequent basic research on postoperative cognitive dysfunction.

Keywords:

• Shenmai injection
• postoperative cognitive dysfunction
• network pharmacology
• molecular docking

Authors’ contributions

Honggang Yi participated in data screening and drafting the manuscript. Mengdie Zhang conceived the study, participated in its design and coordination. Jiang Miao and Lvfan Mu participated in different data base and software operations. Congli Hu performed critical reading of the manuscript and funds collection.

Data availability statement

Data availability can be reached by emailing the corresponding author. Data will be made available on reasonable request.

Disclosure statement

The authors declare no competing financial interest.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Clinical Scientific Research Fund project of Zhejiang Medical Association (2020ZYC-A31).