Protective mechanism of Chinese medicine compound CB001 against low dose radiation based on network pharmacology and experimental verification

doi:10.19803/j.1672-8629.20230090

Abstract

Abstract: Objective To predict the potential mechanism by which Chinese medicine compound CB001 protects against low dose radiation (LDR) based on network pharmacology and to verify its possible mechanism of action through animal experiments. Methods Based on prediction by network pharmacology, the possible targets and pathways of protective effect of Chinese herbal compound CB001 against LDR were obtained. The mice were randomly divided into the control group, model group and low (1 g·kg^-1), medium (2 g·kg^-1) and high (4 g·kg^-1) dose groups of Chinese medicine compound CB001. The mice were exposed to low dose irradiation for 5 consecutive days. After irradiation, the mice were killed. The total number of white blood cells and lymphocytes in the peripheral blood of the mice was measured while the apoptosis of spleen cells was detected. The morphological changes of spleen tissue in each group were observed using the hematoxylin-eosin (HE) method. The expressions of AKT, p-AKT, Bax and IL-6 were detected by Western blot. Results Finally, 42 potential active components and 79 targets of Chinese medicine compound CB001 were obtained, which could affect the cell cycle, inflammatory response regulation and reactive oxygen metabolism. The results of KEGG enrichment analysis showed that the protection of Chinese herbal compound CB001 against LDR mainly involved PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. Animal experiments showed that this compound could not only increase the total number of white blood cells and lymphocytes in peripheral blood of mice, but reduce the apoptosis of mouse spleen cells and improve the pathological changes of mouse spleens. This compound could also promote the expression levels of p-AKT protein and inhibit the expression levels of Bax and IL-6 proteins in spleens of mice. Conclusion Chinese medicine compound CB001 can protect against LDR by reducing the inhibition of PI3K/AKT signaling pathway induced by LDR, inhibiting cell apoptosis and improving inflammatory response.

Key words: Chinese medicine compound CB001, low dose radiation, protection, network pharmacology, PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, mice

CLC Number:

R979.6

MEI Yu, ZHU Yue, ZHANG Huiting, XIAO Chengrong, GAO Yue, MA Zengchun. Protective mechanism of Chinese medicine compound CB001 against low dose radiation based on network pharmacology and experimental verification[J]. Chinese Journal of Pharmacovigilance, 2023, 20(8): 872-879.

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