Study on the Mechanism of Anti-Cerebral Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury of Ai Pian Based on Network Pharmacology and Metabolomics.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to investigate the mechanism of anti-cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury (anti-CIRI) of Ai pian by using the network pharmacology approach combined with serum metabolomics technique based on UPLC-MS.

METHODS

The cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury (CIRI) model was established by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). The therapeutic effect of Ai pian on CIRI rats was evaluated by behavioral test, 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining, Nissl staining, and hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. The active compound-potential target-disease network for Ai Pian in the treatment of CIRI was established using network pharmacology methods. Rat serum was detected by the metabolomics technique based on UPLC-MS. A Western blot was used to validate common targets of the network pharmacology approach combined with serum metabolomics.

RESULTS

The process of treating CIRI with Ai Pian involved regulating enzyme, nuclear receptor, and transcription factor activity, managing the inflammatory response, and participating in biofilm composition. Twenty endogenous potential biomarkers were screened and submitted to MetaboAnalyst 6.0 for pathway and enrichment analysis. Four metabolic pathways were identified: butanoate metabolism, fructose and mannose metabolism, alanine, aspartate, and glutamate metabolism, and pyrimidine metabolism. Fructose and mannose metabolism and pyrimidine metabolism were two key pathways. Western blot analysis suggested that DHODH, TYMS, and AKR1B1 may be targets through which therapeutic effects are exerted.

CONCLUSION

This research contributed to the development of Ai pian as an adjunctive drug for treating CIRI and provided a basis for further research on CIRI.