Mechanistic insights into the therapeutic effects on liver fibrosis in Wilson's disease: a transcriptomic and network pharmacology-based approach

作者：Ying Ma, Yue Pu, Hong Chen, Lei Zhou, Bo Yang, Xiaofeng Huang, Juan Zhang · 发表于：Frontiers in Medicine · 年份：2025 · DOI：10.3389/fmed.2025.1581623 · 被引用次数：1 · 研究领域：Liver physiology and pathology、Liver Diseases and Immunity、Liver Disease Diagnosis and Treatment

Background: The mechanism of the Bushen Huoxue Huazhuo Formula (BSHXHZF) in treating Wilson's disease (WD) liver fibrosis was investigated in this study using transcriptomics, network pharmacology, and molecular docking approaches. Methods: Differentially expressed long non-coding RNAs (DELncRNAs) and messenger RNAs in the liver tissues of different groups were identified using high-throughput chip sequencing. Furthermore, the target genes of DELncRNAs were identified, followed by GO functional enrichment and KEGG pathway analyses. DELncRNAs were validated using quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Active compounds of BSHXHZF and their associated pathways relevant to liver fibrosis treatment in WD, with initial validation via molecular docking. Results: were implicated in sphingolipid signaling, metabolism, and AMPK pathways. The "BSHXHZF-Component-Target" network highlighted active ingredients, including tanshinone IIA, quercetin, and luteolin, which play key roles in treating liver fibrosis. Main signaling pathways included IL-17, HIF-1, prolactin, and NF-κB. Conclusion: The therapeutic effects of BSHXHZF in liver fibrosis associated with WD are likely linked to its modulation of sphingolipid and IL-17 signaling pathways.