Name: Video: Creating Venn Diagrams and Protein-Protein Interaction Networks for Disease-Associated Genes and Drug Targets
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Description: 30 Views. Creating Venn Diagrams and Protein-Protein Interaction Networks for Disease-Associated Genes and Drug Targets

creating venn diagrams and protein-protein interaction networks for disease-associated genes and drug targets

Therapeutic Effects of Xiaoyao Pills on Postmenopausal Osteoporosis in Mice

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines osteoporosis (OP) as a disease characterized by a decrease in bone mass and deterioration of the microarchitecture of bone tissue, leading to an increase in bone brittleness and, thus an increased risk of fracture1. The clinical significance of osteoporosis is that it can lead to fractures, which are associated with high mortality, morbidity, and economic costs2. Postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMOP) is caused by a decrease in estrogen levels in women after menopause, which leads to an increase in osteoclast activity, resulting in bone loss and destruction of bone microstructure. This often causes osteoporosis with a serious impact on health3. Current therapies for PMOP include estrogen replacement therapy, bisphosphonates, and parathyroid hormone, but they can have varying degrees of adverse effects, insufficient long-term compliance, and high costs4. Therefore, affordable herbal medicine is a viable alternative for a large proportion of the population.
Xiaoyao pills are included in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia5, and these contain eight herbal components, including Chai Hu, Angelica sinensis, White paeonia lactiflora, Atractylodes macrocephala, Poria cocos, Menthae Herba, licorice, and fresh ginger. All these herbs are known to be effective in detoxifying the liver and strengthening the spleen, nourishing the blood, and regulating the menstrual cycle, and the mixture has also been used for treating depression6. However, the role of Xiaoyao pills in osteoporosis is unclear.
Early studies have suggested that inflammation can lead to bone loss7, and that the decline in bone density associated with this process may be accelerated by menopause. In addition, there is a strong relationship between the development of osteoporosis and inflammation. The inflammatory factor, interleukin-17 (IL-17), is a pro-inflammatory factor secreted by Th17 cells, a subset of CD4+ T lymphocytes. These cells are associated with several chronic inflammatory conditions, and they play an important role in the development of bone destruction in rheumatoid arthritis8. Additionally, IL-17 stimulates nuclear factor-&#954; B ligand receptor activator (RANKL), which regulates osteoclastogenesis, leading to greater bone resorption than bone formation9. IL-17 stimulates the expression of other osteoclastogenic cytokines such as TNF&#945;, IL-1, IL-6, and IL-8. It has the ability to synergize with other inflammatory factors, making it an important inflammatory effector10.
Studies have also shown a&#160;link between Xiaoyao pills and inflammation. Shi et al.11 and Fang et al.12 have recently confirmed that Xiaoyao pills can reduce the levels of IL-6 and TNF-&#945;, respectively. In another study of metabolism-associated steatohepatitis, it was reported that Xiaoyao pills could upregulate the expression of propionic acid, which in turn inhibits the expression of TNF-&#945; and exerts an anti-inflammatory effect13. However, at present, it is not known whether Xiaoyao pills can regulate the development of PMOM by mediating an inflammatory response through IL-17, which was the aim of this study.
This study predicted the intersection of the targets of Xiaoyao pills and osteoporosis-related genes through network pharmacology and bioinformatics analysis and analyzed the intersecting genes for protein interactions, GO, and KEGG. Based on the predicted results, the expression of Act1 and IL-6, which are key proteins in the IL-17 signaling pathway, can be observed14,15, as well as the bone turnover markers alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and collagen type I (COL-1), to observe the therapeutic efficacy of the Xiaoyao pills in the PMOM mice model.

Author Spotlight: Integrating Traditional Chinese Medicine with Modern Pharmacology and Genomics for Assessing Postmenopausal Osteoporosis in Mice 

Studies on the Anti-Inflammatory Effect of Xiaoyao Pills in The Treatment of Postmenopausal Osteoporosis in Mice

Creating Venn Diagrams and Protein-Protein Interaction Networks for Disease-Associated Genes and Drug Targets

creating-venn-diagrams-protein-protein-interaction-networks-for

Research

JoVE Journal

Biology

30 Views. Creating Venn Diagrams and Protein-Protein Interaction Networks for Disease-Associated Genes and Drug Targets

Video: Creating Venn Diagrams and Protein-Protein Interaction Networks for Disease-Associated Genes and Drug Targets

Osteoporosis is a common metabolic disease of elderly and postmenopausal women, with no obvious symptoms during its early stages. In the latter stages of this condition, the patients are prone to fractures, and this can seriously affect their health and quality of life. The worldwide increase in life expectancy has made osteoporosis a global concern. The Xiaoyao pills were previously 
used in the treatment of depression. In addition, the drug appeared to have estrogen-like activity, which affected the expression of ALP, an early osteoblast-specific marker, and COL-1, a major component of bone extracellular matrix. Xiaoyao pills were assessed for their effects on postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMOM) in mice. The target information of each herbal component of Xiaoyao pills was accessed through the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology (TCMSP) database. Information from GeneCards, OMIM, PharmGkb, TTD, DrugBank, and other websites was used to construct the regulatory network of the herbal complex through Cytoscape and String network to assess the protein interactions. Mice were ovariectomized, and treated with high and low doses of Xiaoyao pills and these were compared to controls. Their symptoms were assessed by immunocytochemistry of bone tissues. The results suggested that Xiaoyao pills had the ability to alleviate the symptoms of PMOM in ovariectomized mice through the IL-17 signaling pathway. This drug has the potential to become a novel therapeutic agent for the treatment of osteoporosis.

Postmenopausal osteoporosis has become a global public health problem. The aim of this study is to explore the therapeutic effects and related mechanisms of the traditional Chinese medicine Xiaoyao pills on this condition.

Osteoporosis is a common metabolic disease of elderly and postmenopausal women, with no obvious symptoms during its early stages. In the latter stages of ...