Exploration of the Mechanism of Shengxian Decoction Against Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Based on Network Pharmacology and Experimental Verification

Shengxian decoction (SXT) is clinically used in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) treatment. This study aimed to explore the mechanism and target genes of SXT acting on COPD. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between COPD and controls were identified and then performed enrichment analysis. The effective active compounds and corresponding target genes were obtained from the traditional Chinese medicine systems pharmacology database. We also compiled COPD related genes from the GeneCards database. Through the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression was performed to identify key genes. Molecular docking was used for docking of key genes and compounds. The expression of key genes was detected by quantitative real-time PCR in COPD patients and bronchial epithelial cells stimulated with cigarette stroke extract (CSE). We identified 1,458 intersected DEGs from GSE47460 and GSE57148 datasets. Compared with intersected DEGs, we obtained 33 SXT target COPD-related genes. PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, MAPK signaling pathway, and focal adhesion were enriched by these 33 genes, as well as intersected DEGs. According to LASSO regression, there were 12 genes considered as signature genes. Then we constructed active compounds and corresponding six target genes. Finally, HIF1A and IL1B were selected as key genes by combining PPI network. HIF1A and IL1B were all upregulated expression in COPD and CSE stimulated cells and recovered in SXT treated CSE stimulated cells. This study provides a scientific basis for the identification of active compounds and target genes of SXT in the treatment of COPD.