Systematically Investigating the Pharmacological Mechanism of Momordica grosvenori in the Treatment of Spinal Cord Injury by Network Pharmacology and Experimental Verification

Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2023 · DOI: https://doi.org/10.1155/2023/1638966 · Published: January 25, 2023

Spinal Cord Injury Alternative Medicine Pharmacology

Simple Explanation

This study explores how Momordica grosvenori (MG), a traditional Chinese medicine, might help treat spinal cord injuries (SCI) using computational and experimental methods. The study uses network pharmacology to identify potential active compounds in MG, predict their targets related to SCI, and analyze biological processes and signaling pathways involved. Molecular docking and in vitro experiments are performed to validate the findings, focusing on the effects of kaempferol, a key component of MG, on specific target genes in rat astrocytes.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

In vitro experiments with rat astrocytes (AS)

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
The study identified 293 MG-anti-SCI targets by intersecting MG-related targets and SCI-related targets.
2
The top 10 identified genes were SRC, STAT3, MAPK1, HSP90AA1, PIK3R1, PIK3CA, RXRA, AKT1, CREBBP, and JAK2.
3
Quantitative PCR results indicated that MAPK1, RXRA, and STAT3 were expressed differently in in vitro experiments after treatment with kaempferol.

Research Summary

The study aimed to explore the molecular mechanism of Momordica grosvenori (MG) in spinal cord injury (SCI) by network pharmacology analysis. The current work indicated that MG might play an anti-SCI role via multicomponent, multitarget, and multichannel interaction, which presents a novel idea for further research into the precise mechanism of MG-anti-SCI interaction. The study used network pharmacology, molecular docking, and in vitro experiments to validate the effects of MG on SCI, providing a basis for further research.

Practical Implications

Drug Discovery

The identification of potential therapeutic targets and pathways can guide the development of new drugs for spinal cord injury.

TCM Validation

The study provides evidence-based validation of the therapeutic value of Momordica grosvenori in treating spinal cord injury, promoting its use in medicine.

Further Research

The findings suggest specific genes (MAPK1, RXRA, STAT3) and pathways that warrant further investigation for their role in SCI treatment using MG.

Study Limitations

1
The exact mechanisms of MG in treating SCI in humans are unclear.
2
Further in vivo and in vitro experiments are needed to explore the effects of MAPK1, RXRA, and STAT3 on SCI.
3
The study mainly focused on in vitro experiments with rat astrocytes, and the results may not directly translate to human SCI treatment.

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