Mechanism of Polygala-Acorus in Treating Autism Spectrum Disorder Based on Network Pharmacology and Molecular Docking

Background: Recent epidemic survey data have revealed a globally increasing prevalence of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). Currently, while Western medicine mostly uses a combination of comprehensive intervention and rehabilitative treatment, patient outcomes remain unsatisfactory. Polygala-Acorus, used as a pair drug, positively affects the brain and kidneys, and can improve intelligence, wisdom, and awareness; however, the underlying mechanism of action is unclear. Objective: We performed network pharmacology analysis of the mechanism of Polygala– Acorus in treating ASD and its potential therapeutic effects to provide a scientific basis for the pharmaceutical’s clinical application. Methods: The chemical compositions and targets corresponding to Polygala–Acorus were obtained using the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systematic Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform, Chemical Source Website, and PharmMapper database. Disease targets in ASD were screened using the DisGeNET, DrugBank, and GeneCards databases. Gene Ontology functional analysis and metabolic pathway analysis (Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes) were performed using the Metascape database and validated via molecular docking using AutoDock Vina and PyMOL software. Results: Molecular docking analysis showed that the key active components of Polygala- Acorus interacted with the following key targets: EGFR, SRC, MAPK1, and ALB. Thus, the key active components of Polygala-Acorus (sibiricaxanthone A, sibiricaxanthone B tenuifolin, polygalic acid, cycloartenol, and 8-isopentenyl-kaempferol) have been found to bind to EGFR, SRC, MAPK1, and ALB. Conclusion: This study has preliminarily revealed the active ingredients and underlying mechanism of Polygala-Acorus in the treatment of ASD, and our predictions need to be proven by further experimentation.