The mechanism of Leonuri Herba in improving polycystic ovary syndrome was analyzed based on network pharmacology and molecular docking.

Background

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine disorder affecting women. Chinese herbs have been considered as an alternative treatment for PCOS, and Yi-mu-cao (Leonuri Herba) is one of the most commonly used herbs to treat PCOS, which can relieve symptoms of PCOS patients. But the mechanism of its treatment remains unclear. Method: The main active ingredients and potential targets of Leonuri Herba were obtained by TCMSP and Swiss Target Forecast, and the related targets of PCOS were obtained by searching DrugBank, GeneCard and DisGeNet databases. The Protein-Protein Interaction (PPI) network was constructed using STRING database. GO and KEGG were used to detect the enrichment pathways of key targets. Cytoscape software was used to construct the component-target-pathway network, analyze the PPI network core, and verify the reliability of target binding by molecular docking technology. Result: 8 components and 116 targets of Leonuri Herba on PCOS were screened. Common targets mainly involve the Lipid and atherosclerosis, Endocrine resistance, AGE-RAGE signaling in diabetic complications and other signaling pathways. It is suggested that it can form multi-target and multi-pathway regulatory network through quercetin, kaempferol and other active substances to regulate endocrine disorders and reduce inflammatory response, so as to systematically improve PCOS. Molecular docking experiments showed that the active constituents of Leonurus had good binding activity with potential targets of PCOS.

Conclusion

In summary, this study elucidates the potential effect of Leonuri Herba on PCOS, which is helpful to provide reference for clinical practice. This is also conducive to the secondary development of motherwort and its monomer components, and precision medicine for PCOS.