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Abstract
Context
Zengye decoction (ZYD) has been considered to have a curative effect on Sjogren’s syndrome (SS). However, its therapeutic mechanisms remain obscure.
Objectives
This research explores the mechanisms of ZYD against SS.
Materials and methods
The active compounds and targets of ZYD were searched in the TCMSP and BATMAN-TCM databases. SS-related targets were obtained from the GeneCards database. The GO and KEGG enrichment analyses elucidated the molecular mechanisms. Animal experiments were performed using 8 C57BL/6 mice that served as the control group (physiological saline treatment) and 16 NOD mice randomly divided into the model group (physiological saline treatment) and the ZYD group (ZYD treatment) for 8 weeks to verify the therapeutic effects of ZYD on SS.
Results
Twenty-nine active compounds with 313 targets of ZYD and 1038 SS-related targets were screened. Thirty-two common targets were identified. β-Sitosterol and stigmasterol might be important components. GO analysis suggested that the action of ZYD against SS mainly involved oxidative stress, apoptotic processes, and tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily binding, etc. KEGG analysis indicated the most significant signaling pathway was apoptosis-multiple species. Animal experiments showed that ZYD improved lymphocytic infiltration of the submandibular glands (SMGs), reduced the serum levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-17, upregulated the expression of Bcl-2, and downregulated the expression of Bax and Caspase-3 in the model mice.
Discussion and conclusion
ZYD has anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic effects on SS, which provides a theoretical basis for the treatment of SS with ZYD.
Acknowledgments
We thank Bullet Edits Limited for the linguistic editing and proofreading of the manuscript.
Author contributions
JY and JT conceived and designed the study; JY searched the databases and performed the data analysis, wrote the manuscript. JY, SW, JY, WH and BT conducted animal experiment and statistical analysis. JT supervised the study, performed the data analysis and revised the manuscript. WP supervised the study and revised the manuscript.
Disclosure statement
The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential declaration of interest.