Evaluation of the Mechanism of Sinomenii Caulis in Treating Ulcerative Colitis based on Network Pharmacology and Molecular Docking

Background: Studies have indicated that Sinomenii Caulis (SC) has several physiological activities, such as anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, immunosuppression, and so on. SC is currently widely used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, skin disease, and other diseases. However, the mechanism of SC in the treatment of ulcerative colitis (UC) remains unclear. Aims: To predict the active components of SC and determine the mechanism of SC on UC. Methods: Active components and targets of SC were screened and obtained by TCMSP, PharmMapper, and CTD databases. The target genes of UC were searched from GEO (GSE9452), and DisGeNET databases. Based on the String database, Cytoscape 3.7.2 software, and David 6.7 database, we analyzed the relationship between SC active components and UC potential targets or pathways. Finally, identification of SC targets in anti-UC by molecular docking. GROMACS software was used to perform molecular dynamics simulations of protein and compound complexes and to perform free energy calculations. Results: Six main active components, 61 potential anti-UC gene targets, and the top 5 targets with degree value are IL6, TNF, IL1β, CASP3, and SRC. According to GO enrichment analysis, the vascular endothelial growth factor receptor and vascular endothelial growth factor stimulus may be relevant biological processes implicated in the treatment of UC by SC. The KEGG pathway analysis result was mainly associated with the IL-17, AGE-RAGE, and TNF signaling pathways. Based on molecular docking results, beta-sitosterol, 16-epi-Isositsirikine, Sinomenine, and Stepholidine are strongly bound to the main targets. Molecular dynamics simulation results showed that IL1B/beta-sitosterol and TNF/16-epi-Isositsirikine binding was more stable. Conclusion: SC can play a therapeutic role in UC through multiple components, targets, and pathways. The specific mechanism of action needs to be further explored.