简介：胰腺癌（PC）是一种特别具有侵袭性的恶性肿瘤，治疗选择有限。对创新疗法的探索主要集中在传统中医，特别是淫羊藿。这项研究调查了淫羊藿的活性成分、潜在靶点以及治疗 PC 的潜在机制。方法：采用高效液相色谱法（HPLC）对淫羊藿的活性成分进行定量，并采用HPLC-Q-TOF-MS进行定性鉴定。使用 TCMSP、ETCM、CTD 和瑞士目标预测数据库确定了淫羊藿活性成分的潜在目标。潜在的 PC 相关目标来自 DisGeNET、GeneCards 和 OMIM 数据库。利用维恩图来识别与 PC 相关的重叠目标和淫羊藿目标。通过蛋白质-蛋白质相互作用（PPI）网络分析、基因本体（GO）评估和反应组途径富集分析阐明了核心靶点和途径。分子对接技术研究了活性化合物与这些靶标之间的相互作用。使用 GEPIA2 和人类蛋白质图谱 (HPA) 数据库评估目标基因的表达和预后意义。体外研究评估了淫羊藿提取物 (EPE) 对 Panc-1 细胞活力的影响，蛋白质印迹分析检查了关键靶标的表达水平。结果：网络药理学表明，淫羊藿中含有保活苷I、淫羊藿苷、金丝桃苷、淫羊藿B等活性成分，对PC具有潜在的治疗作用。体外试验证实 EPE 显着降低 Panc-1 细胞的活力。蛋白质印迹分析显示，EPE 处理的细胞中关键靶标的表达显着下降，包括 AKT1、EGFR、p-EGFR、JUN、BCL2、IL6 和 SRC。 R-HSA-1280215：涉及这些基因的 Interleukin-4 和 Interleukin-13 信号通路被确定为潜在的治疗靶点。讨论：淫羊藿有望成为治疗 PC 的候选药物。 IL-4 和 IL-13 信号通路的调节可能是淫羊藿阻碍肿瘤发展的关键机制。需要进一步的研究来验证这些发现并探索淫羊藿在 PC 治疗中的临床适用性。版权所有 © 2024 Chen、Xia 和 Zhu。

Introduction: Pancreatic cancer (PC) is a particularly aggressive malignancy with limited therapeutic options. The search for innovative treatments has focused on traditional Chinese medicine, specifically epimedium. This research investigates epimedium's active ingredients, potential targets, and underlying mechanisms in treating PC. Methods: High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to quantify the active components of epimedium and HPLC-Q-TOF-MS was employed for qualitative identification. Potential targets of epimedium's active ingredients were identified using the TCMSP, ETCM, CTD, and Swiss Target Prediction databases. Potential PC-related targets were sourced from DisGeNET, GeneCards, and OMIM databases. A Venn diagram was utilized to identify overlapping PC-related and epimedium targets. Core targets and pathways were elucidated through protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis, Gene Ontology (GO) assessments, and Reactome pathway enrichment analyses. Molecular docking techniques investigated interactions between active compounds and these targets. The expression and prognostic implications of target genes were evaluated using GEPIA2 and the Human Protein Atlas (HPA) databases. In vitro studies assessed the impact of epimedium extract (EPE) on Panc-1 cell viability, and Western blot analysis examined the expression levels of key targets. Results: Network pharmacological indicate that epimedium econtains active components such as baohuoside I, icariin, hyperoside, and epimedin B, which have potential therapeutic effects against PC. In vitro assays confirmed that EPE significantly reduced the viability of Panc-1 cells. Western blot analysis revealed a considerable decrease in the expression of key targets in EPE-treated cells, including AKT1, EGFR, p-EGFR, JUN, BCL2, IL6, and SRC. The R-HSA-1280215: Interleukin-4 and Interleukin-13 signaling pathways involving these genes were identified as potential therapeutic targets. Discussion: Epimedium holds promise as a candidate for treating PC. The modulation of interleukin-4 and interleukin-13 signaling pathways could be a pivotal mechanism by which epimedium impedes tumor development. Further research is warranted to validate these findings and explore the clinical applicability of epimedium in PC treatment.Copyright © 2024 Chen, Xia and Zhong.