The traditional Chinese medicine formula Zhihan Anshen Tang (ZHAST) against obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome: network pharmacology and molecular docking approach

IntroductionThe current treaments for Obstructive Sleep Apnea Hypopnea (OSAHS) are Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) and lifestyle modifications, which is not suitable for all patients. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has increasingly demonstrated its efficacy and benefits in treating OS...

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Main Authors: Cai-Li Li, Yu-Xiang Zhang, Xing-Jie Zheng, Shuo Li, Jing Feng
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-03-01
Series:Frontiers in Chemistry
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fchem.2025.1524087/full
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author Cai-Li Li
Yu-Xiang Zhang
Xing-Jie Zheng
Shuo Li
Jing Feng
author_facet Cai-Li Li
Yu-Xiang Zhang
Xing-Jie Zheng
Shuo Li
Jing Feng
author_sort Cai-Li Li
collection DOAJ
description IntroductionThe current treaments for Obstructive Sleep Apnea Hypopnea (OSAHS) are Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) and lifestyle modifications, which is not suitable for all patients. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has increasingly demonstrated its efficacy and benefits in treating OSAHS. Zhihan Anshen Tang (ZHAST), has been demonstrated its efficacy and clinical metrics for treating OSAHS patients. However, its key ingredients and mechanisms of action are still unknown.MethodsUsing network pharmacology, we investigated the potential mechanisms of ZHAST through which OSAHS.ResultsIn addition, the key targets, including TNF, IL6, GAPDH, STAT3, HIF1A, and JUN, are revealed by the topological analysis. According to the findings of the GO enrichment analysis, genes were enriched in inflammatory responses, hypoxia responses, positive regulation of angiogenesis, protein phosphorylation, and regulation of cell proliferation. KEGG pathway enrichment analysis suggests that the signaling pathway of ZHAST in OSAHS are MAPK and AGE-RAGE signaling pathway, especially in diabetic complications. In addition, it is demonstrated that the enoxolone in ZHASTs have high affinity with the relevant targets by molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations.DisscussionTo my knowledge, this is the first network pharmacological molecular docking study about a Chinese medicine effective against OSA. This investigation integrates molecular docking and network pharmacology to identify the effective compounds, related targets, and potential mechanism of ZHASTs in the treatment of OSAHS, providing the prospect of traditional Chinese medicines with modern medical research.
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spelling doaj-art-118e7cf5692c4a22becf88fb6a95a4812025-08-20T01:58:17ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Chemistry2296-26462025-03-011310.3389/fchem.2025.15240871524087The traditional Chinese medicine formula Zhihan Anshen Tang (ZHAST) against obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome: network pharmacology and molecular docking approachCai-Li Li0Yu-Xiang Zhang1Xing-Jie Zheng2Shuo Li3Jing Feng4Respiratory Department, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, ChinaRespiratory Department, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, ChinaInfectious Disease Department, Tianjin Haihe Hospital, Tianjin, ChinaRespiratory Department, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, ChinaRespiratory Department, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, ChinaIntroductionThe current treaments for Obstructive Sleep Apnea Hypopnea (OSAHS) are Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) and lifestyle modifications, which is not suitable for all patients. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has increasingly demonstrated its efficacy and benefits in treating OSAHS. Zhihan Anshen Tang (ZHAST), has been demonstrated its efficacy and clinical metrics for treating OSAHS patients. However, its key ingredients and mechanisms of action are still unknown.MethodsUsing network pharmacology, we investigated the potential mechanisms of ZHAST through which OSAHS.ResultsIn addition, the key targets, including TNF, IL6, GAPDH, STAT3, HIF1A, and JUN, are revealed by the topological analysis. According to the findings of the GO enrichment analysis, genes were enriched in inflammatory responses, hypoxia responses, positive regulation of angiogenesis, protein phosphorylation, and regulation of cell proliferation. KEGG pathway enrichment analysis suggests that the signaling pathway of ZHAST in OSAHS are MAPK and AGE-RAGE signaling pathway, especially in diabetic complications. In addition, it is demonstrated that the enoxolone in ZHASTs have high affinity with the relevant targets by molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations.DisscussionTo my knowledge, this is the first network pharmacological molecular docking study about a Chinese medicine effective against OSA. This investigation integrates molecular docking and network pharmacology to identify the effective compounds, related targets, and potential mechanism of ZHASTs in the treatment of OSAHS, providing the prospect of traditional Chinese medicines with modern medical research.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fchem.2025.1524087/fullobstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndromeZhihan Anshen Tangnetwork pharmacologymolecular dynamics simulation BBBsignaling pathway
spellingShingle Cai-Li Li
Yu-Xiang Zhang
Xing-Jie Zheng
Shuo Li
Jing Feng
The traditional Chinese medicine formula Zhihan Anshen Tang (ZHAST) against obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome: network pharmacology and molecular docking approach
Frontiers in Chemistry
obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome
Zhihan Anshen Tang
network pharmacology
molecular dynamics simulation BBB
signaling pathway
title The traditional Chinese medicine formula Zhihan Anshen Tang (ZHAST) against obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome: network pharmacology and molecular docking approach
title_full The traditional Chinese medicine formula Zhihan Anshen Tang (ZHAST) against obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome: network pharmacology and molecular docking approach
title_fullStr The traditional Chinese medicine formula Zhihan Anshen Tang (ZHAST) against obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome: network pharmacology and molecular docking approach
title_full_unstemmed The traditional Chinese medicine formula Zhihan Anshen Tang (ZHAST) against obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome: network pharmacology and molecular docking approach
title_short The traditional Chinese medicine formula Zhihan Anshen Tang (ZHAST) against obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome: network pharmacology and molecular docking approach
title_sort traditional chinese medicine formula zhihan anshen tang zhast against obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome network pharmacology and molecular docking approach
topic obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome
Zhihan Anshen Tang
network pharmacology
molecular dynamics simulation BBB
signaling pathway
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fchem.2025.1524087/full
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