Molecular mechanism of the anti-inflammatory effects of Sophorae Flavescentis Aiton identified by network pharmacology

Inflammation, a protective response against infection and injury, involves a variety of biological processes. Sophorae Flavescentis (Kushen) is a promising Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for treating inflammation, but the pharmacological mechanism of Kushen's anti-inflammatory effect has not been fully elucidated. The bioactive compounds, predicted targets, and inflammation-related targets of Kushen were obtained from open source databases. The "Component-Target" network and protein-protein interaction (PPI) network were constructed, and hub genes were screened out by topological analysis. Gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses were performed on genes in the PPI network. Furthermore, nitric oxide (NO) production analysis, RT-PCR, and western blot were performed to detect the mRNA and protein expression of hub genes in LPS-induced RAW264.7 cells. An immunofluorescence assay found that NF-kappa B p65 is translocated. A total of 24 bioactive compounds, 465 predicted targets, and 433 inflammation-related targets were identified and used to construct "Component-Targets" and PPI networks. Then, the five hub genes with the highest values-IL-6, IL-1 beta, VEGFA, TNF-alpha, and PTGS2 (COX-2)- were screened out. Enrichment analysis results suggested mainly involved in the NF-kappa B signaling pathway. Moreover, experiments were performed to verify the predicted results. Kushen may mediate inflammation mainly through the IL-6, IL-1 beta, VEGFA, TNF-alpha, and PTGS2 (COX-2), and the NF-kappa B signaling pathways. This finding will provide clinical guidance for further research on the use of Kushen to treat inflammation.