Network pharmacology integrated with molecular docking and experimental validation elucidates the therapeutic potential of Forsythiae Fructus extract against hepatitis B virus-related hepatocellular carcinoma
BackgroundForsythiae Fructus (FF), a widely used traditional Chinese medicine, possesses anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and anticancer properties. However, the precise anticancer mechanisms of FF against hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remain poorly understood. This stu...
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-06-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Oncology |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fonc.2025.1571537/full |
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| author | Fuqing Chen Yifan Cai Changzhou Chen Jianyin Zhou |
| author_facet | Fuqing Chen Yifan Cai Changzhou Chen Jianyin Zhou |
| author_sort | Fuqing Chen |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | BackgroundForsythiae Fructus (FF), a widely used traditional Chinese medicine, possesses anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and anticancer properties. However, the precise anticancer mechanisms of FF against hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remain poorly understood. This study therefore aims to investigate the therapeutic potential of FF in HBV-related HCC and elucidate its underlying mechanisms.MethodsThe active components of FF and their putative target proteins were identified through network pharmacology, and their interactions were further validated via molecular docking and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. In vitro assays were performed to evaluate the effects of FF extract on the viability, proliferation, and apoptosis of HBV-related HCC (HepG2.2.15) cells, along with the underlying molecular mechanisms. In vivo studies were performed to investigate the inhibitory effects of FF extract on subcutaneous xenograft tumors in nude mice, quantify serum cytokine levels, and evaluate the expression of key target proteins by immunohistochemistry.ResultsA total of 23 active components of FF and their 201 associated targets were identified using the TCMSP database, whereas 1,296 differentially expressed genes related to HBV-related HCC were retrieved from the GEO database. We identified 42 overlapping target genes between FF and HBV-related HCC. KEGG pathway analysis revealed the IL-17 signaling pathway as a pivotal pathway, with three core genes (c-Jun, ESR1, and MMP9) demonstrating prognostic significance in survival outcomes. Ten compounds were classified as high-quality candidates. Molecular docking studies demonstrated that Bicuculline exhibited the strongest binding affinity toward the core target genes, while MD simulations confirmed the stability of Bicuculline-JUN/ESR1/MMP9 complexes. In vitro experiments demonstrated that FF extract significantly inhibited the viability and proliferation of HepG2.2.15 cells, induced apoptosis, and exerted its effects via modulation of the IL-17/MAPK signaling pathway. Notably, adenovirus-mediated overexpression experiments showed that ESR1 enhanced FF’s anti-HCC effects, whereas JUN and MMP9 partially counteracted them, confirming their roles as functional targets. In vivo studies further confirmed that FF suppressed tumor growth, reduced serum levels of ALT, AST, TNF-α, and IL-17B in mice, and modulated the expression of core target genes.ConclusionsThe therapeutic potential of FF in HBV-related HCC was demonstrated, with its mechanism likely involving the regulation of multiple components, targets, and pathways. These findings establish a solid scientific foundation for exploring FF as a therapeutic option for HBV-related HCC. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-93963ab4e67445a19254b255a0e9080f |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2234-943X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
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| series | Frontiers in Oncology |
| spelling | doaj-art-93963ab4e67445a19254b255a0e9080f2025-08-20T03:23:16ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Oncology2234-943X2025-06-011510.3389/fonc.2025.15715371571537Network pharmacology integrated with molecular docking and experimental validation elucidates the therapeutic potential of Forsythiae Fructus extract against hepatitis B virus-related hepatocellular carcinomaFuqing Chen0Yifan Cai1Changzhou Chen2Jianyin Zhou3Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Xiamen Key Laboratory of Translational Medical of Digestive System Tumor, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Chronic Liver Disease and Hepatocellular Carcinoma, Zhongshan Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, ChinaDepartment of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, ChinaDepartment Minimally Invasive and Interventional Oncology, Zhongshan Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, ChinaDepartment of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Xiamen Key Laboratory of Translational Medical of Digestive System Tumor, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Chronic Liver Disease and Hepatocellular Carcinoma, Zhongshan Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, ChinaBackgroundForsythiae Fructus (FF), a widely used traditional Chinese medicine, possesses anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and anticancer properties. However, the precise anticancer mechanisms of FF against hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remain poorly understood. This study therefore aims to investigate the therapeutic potential of FF in HBV-related HCC and elucidate its underlying mechanisms.MethodsThe active components of FF and their putative target proteins were identified through network pharmacology, and their interactions were further validated via molecular docking and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. In vitro assays were performed to evaluate the effects of FF extract on the viability, proliferation, and apoptosis of HBV-related HCC (HepG2.2.15) cells, along with the underlying molecular mechanisms. In vivo studies were performed to investigate the inhibitory effects of FF extract on subcutaneous xenograft tumors in nude mice, quantify serum cytokine levels, and evaluate the expression of key target proteins by immunohistochemistry.ResultsA total of 23 active components of FF and their 201 associated targets were identified using the TCMSP database, whereas 1,296 differentially expressed genes related to HBV-related HCC were retrieved from the GEO database. We identified 42 overlapping target genes between FF and HBV-related HCC. KEGG pathway analysis revealed the IL-17 signaling pathway as a pivotal pathway, with three core genes (c-Jun, ESR1, and MMP9) demonstrating prognostic significance in survival outcomes. Ten compounds were classified as high-quality candidates. Molecular docking studies demonstrated that Bicuculline exhibited the strongest binding affinity toward the core target genes, while MD simulations confirmed the stability of Bicuculline-JUN/ESR1/MMP9 complexes. In vitro experiments demonstrated that FF extract significantly inhibited the viability and proliferation of HepG2.2.15 cells, induced apoptosis, and exerted its effects via modulation of the IL-17/MAPK signaling pathway. Notably, adenovirus-mediated overexpression experiments showed that ESR1 enhanced FF’s anti-HCC effects, whereas JUN and MMP9 partially counteracted them, confirming their roles as functional targets. In vivo studies further confirmed that FF suppressed tumor growth, reduced serum levels of ALT, AST, TNF-α, and IL-17B in mice, and modulated the expression of core target genes.ConclusionsThe therapeutic potential of FF in HBV-related HCC was demonstrated, with its mechanism likely involving the regulation of multiple components, targets, and pathways. These findings establish a solid scientific foundation for exploring FF as a therapeutic option for HBV-related HCC.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fonc.2025.1571537/fullForsythiae Fructusnetwork pharmacologymolecular dockinghepatitis B virushepatocellular carcinomabicuculline |
| spellingShingle | Fuqing Chen Yifan Cai Changzhou Chen Jianyin Zhou Network pharmacology integrated with molecular docking and experimental validation elucidates the therapeutic potential of Forsythiae Fructus extract against hepatitis B virus-related hepatocellular carcinoma Frontiers in Oncology Forsythiae Fructus network pharmacology molecular docking hepatitis B virus hepatocellular carcinoma bicuculline |
| title | Network pharmacology integrated with molecular docking and experimental validation elucidates the therapeutic potential of Forsythiae Fructus extract against hepatitis B virus-related hepatocellular carcinoma |
| title_full | Network pharmacology integrated with molecular docking and experimental validation elucidates the therapeutic potential of Forsythiae Fructus extract against hepatitis B virus-related hepatocellular carcinoma |
| title_fullStr | Network pharmacology integrated with molecular docking and experimental validation elucidates the therapeutic potential of Forsythiae Fructus extract against hepatitis B virus-related hepatocellular carcinoma |
| title_full_unstemmed | Network pharmacology integrated with molecular docking and experimental validation elucidates the therapeutic potential of Forsythiae Fructus extract against hepatitis B virus-related hepatocellular carcinoma |
| title_short | Network pharmacology integrated with molecular docking and experimental validation elucidates the therapeutic potential of Forsythiae Fructus extract against hepatitis B virus-related hepatocellular carcinoma |
| title_sort | network pharmacology integrated with molecular docking and experimental validation elucidates the therapeutic potential of forsythiae fructus extract against hepatitis b virus related hepatocellular carcinoma |
| topic | Forsythiae Fructus network pharmacology molecular docking hepatitis B virus hepatocellular carcinoma bicuculline |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fonc.2025.1571537/full |
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