Bioinformatic Analysis of Ping-Wei-San Decoction for Pulmonary Malignancy Based on UPLC-QE-Orbitrap-MS Detection

Abstract

Background The traditional Chinese medicine prescription Ping-Wei-San decoction (PWS) has been used historically in East Asian countries. This study aimed to investigate the ingredients of the decoction and explore its potential role in the adjuvant treatment of pulmonary malignancies. Objectives The primary objective was to analyze the ingredients of PWS and understand its potential in the treatment of pulmonary malignancy. Methods Medical records of 143 394 patients using PWS over a decade were collected from the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University. UPLC-QE-Orbitrap-MS detected 13 chemical components, including 12 known components. Lung adenocarcinoma data were obtained from the TCGA-LUAD dataset, and differential genes were screened using R studio. The EVENN website and the STRING database were used to identify drug action and disease targets. Setting The study was conducted at the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University. Participants The study included 3147 patients with “pulmonary malignancies.” Intervention PWS was used as an adjuvant treatment. Results Network analysis revealed 10 core targets (CCNA2, CHEK1, TOP2A, CDK1, CCNB1, CCNB2, AURKA, AURKB, KIF11, and MELK) for the treatment of lung adenocarcinoma and associated pathways. Conclusion PWS may offer multifunctional efficacy in the treatment of pulmonary malignancies based on constituent analysis. Further research and clinical trials are needed to explore its potential.