Tropical Journal of Pharmaceutical Research

Original Research Article | OPEN ACCESS

Network pharmacology study on mechanism involved in the use of YuShu Soup for the treatment of exertional heatstroke

Jing Dong¹ , Zheng Yang², Chen Fan

¹Department of Emergency, First Affiliated Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang Province 315000, China; ²Department of Emergency, Ningbo Municipal Hospital of TCM, Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Ningbo, Zhejiang Province 315010, China; ³Intensive Care Unit, Ningbo First Hospital Longshan Hospital Medical and Health Group, Ningbo, Zhejiang Province 315311, China.

For correspondence:- Jing Dong Email: jing_d0321@163.com Tel:+8657487086426

Accepted: 30 August 2023 Published: 30 September 2023

Citation: Dong J, Yang Z, Fan C. Network pharmacology study on mechanism involved in the use of YuShu Soup for the treatment of exertional heatstroke. Trop J Pharm Res 2023; 22(9):1805-1814 doi: 10.4314/tjpr.v22i9.6

© 2023 The authors.
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Abstract

Purpose: To investigate the underlying mechanisms of action of YuShu Soup in exertional heatstroke (EHS) treatment.

Methods: This study utilized network pharmacology analysis, applied STRING database to collect compound targets, and visualized protein-protein interaction (PPI) network. Furthermore, EHS model was established on rats, and physiological indices and serum biochemical indicators were evaluated. Thereafter, morphological and histological assessments were carried out on renal tissues.

Results: The PPI network indicated that JUN, AKT1, MAPK3, MAPK1, STAT3, RXRA, CTNNB1, and RELA may be the vital proteins which YuShu Soup acts on. In terms of mechanism, YuShu Soup regulates the protein expression of HSP90 and Akt/Bcl-xL pathway significantly (p < 0.01).

Conclusion: YuShu Soup alleviates symptoms of EHS and apoptosis of renal cells in rats by regulating HSP90 and Akt/Bcl-xL pathway, thereby alleviating kidney damage. These findings shed light on the prevention and treatment of EHS with this traditional Chinese prescription.

Keywords: Exertional heatstroke, Heat shock protein 90, Network pharmacology, YuShu Soup