Mechanism of Shashen-Maidong herb pair in treating hepatocellular carcinoma using network pharmacology and experimental validation

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is among the most prevalent malignant tumors globally and represents a significant public health issue worldwide. Immune cell dysfunction is the crucial factor for the formation of immunosuppression microenvironment of HCC. Glehnia littoralis (A.Gray) F.Schmidt ex Miq. (Shashen) and Ophiopogon japonicus (Thunb.) Ker Gawl. (Maidong) are classic herb pair in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) of nourishing Yin, and is widely applied in the treatment of HCC and possesses multiple immunomodulatory functions. However, the role of the the Shashen-Maidong herb pair (SS-MD) for the management of HCC and the potential mechanisms has not been explicated.