Mechanism of Rhizoma Coptidis in epilepsy with network pharmacology

Abstract

Network pharmacology is a bioinformatics-based research strategy aimed at identifying drug actions and facilitating drug discovery. In this study, network pharmacology was used for exploring the anti-epileptic multi-target mechanism of Rhizoma Coptidis. The possible protein targets of Rhizoma Coptidis were predicted by constructing the pathway and network of drug targets. Then, the interaction of the main active components of Rhizoma Coptidis and predicted candidate targets were verified using molecular docking technology. Finally, nine active compounds were selected from Rhizoma Coptidis. A total of 68 targets associated with Rhizoma Coptidis treating epilepsy. The key targets were AKT1, IL6, VEGFA, and TP53. According to GO functional enrichment analysis, 289 items of biological process, 33 items of cellular component, and 55 items of molecular function were obtained. A total of 89 signaling pathways were identified through KEGG pathway enrichment analysis (P < 0.05), and HIF-1, TNF, and T-cell receptor signaling pathways were mainly related to epilepsy. Molecular docking showed quercetin and (R)-canadine combined well with the key targets. The active ingredient in Rhizoma Coptidis can regulate various signaling pathways, and have therapeutic effects on epilepsy.