Network pharmacology and molecular docking analysis on Shenfu Qiangxin indicate mTOR is a potential target to treat heart failure

Abstract Background Heart failure (HF) is one of the major causes of mortality worldwide with high recurrence rate and poor prognosis. Our study aimed to investigate potential mechanisms and drug targets of Shenfu Qiangxin (SFQX), a cardiotonic-diuretic traditional Chinese medicine, in treating HF. Methods An HF-related and SFQX-targeted gene set was established using disease-gene databases and the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology database. We performed gene function and pathway enrichment analysis and constructed protein–protein interaction (PPI) network to investigate the potential mechanisms. We also performed molecular docking to analyze the interaction patterns between the active compounds and targeted protein. Results A gene set with 217 genes was identified. The gene function enrichment indicated that SFQX can regulate apoptotic process, inflammatory response, response to oxidative stress and cellular response to hypoxia. The pathway enrichment indicated that most genes were involved in PI3K–Akt pathway. Eighteen hub target genes were identified in PPI network and subnetworks. mTOR was the key gene among hub genes, which are involved in PI3K–Akt pathway. The molecular docking analysis indicated that 6 active compounds of SFQX can bind to the kinase domain of mTOR, which exerted potential therapeutic mechanisms of SFQX in treating HF. Conclusions The results of network pharmacology analysis highlight the intervention on PI3K–Akt pathway of SFQX in the treatment of HF. mTOR is a key drug target to help protect myocardium.