基于网络药理学探讨土茯苓抗湿疹的潜在机制

Exploring the Potential Mechanisms of Smilax glabra in the Treatment of Eczema Using Network Pharmacology

摘要: 湿疹是一种复杂的炎症性皮肤病，现有治疗方法存在不良反应大、易复发的特点。土茯苓作为传统中药，具有抗湿疹潜力，但其作用机制尚未明确。本研究基于网络药理学，系统探究土茯苓抗湿疹的活性成分、作用靶点及分子机制。通过TCMSP数据库筛选出土茯苓9个潜在活性成分(如槲皮素、二氢槲皮素等)，结合GeneCards等数据库获取湿疹相关靶点，利用Venny分析得到109个药物–疾病共同靶点。通过STRING和Cytoscape构建蛋白质相互作用网络，筛选出AKT1、EGFR、CASP3等23个核心靶点；GO和KEGG富集分析表明，靶点显著富集于PI3K/AKT信号通路、TNF信号通路及Th17细胞分化等通路，涉及炎症调控、免疫应答及代谢紊乱改善等过程。研究表明，土茯苓通过多成分协同调控多靶点与通路网络，抑制炎症因子释放、调节免疫平衡及修复皮肤屏障，为其抗湿疹的临床应用提供了理论依据。本研究为中药现代化研究提供了方法学参考。

Abstract: Eczema is a complex inflammatory skin disease and the existing treatment methods are characterized by significant adverse reactions and a high recurrence rate. Smilax glabra Roxb. (SGR), a traditional Chinese herb, exhibits potential in treating eczema, yet its mechanism remains unclear. This study systematically investigated the active components, therapeutic targets, and molecular mechanisms of SGR against eczema using network pharmacology. Nine potential active components (e.g., quercetin, dihydroquercetin) were screened from SGR via the TCMSP database. Eczema-related targets were obtained from GeneCards and other databases, and 109 drug-disease common targets were identified through Venny analysis. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks were constructed using STRING and Cytoscape, revealing 23 core targets (e.g., AKT1, EGFR, CASP3). Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses demonstrated that these targets were significantly enriched in pathways such as the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, TNF signaling pathway, and Th17 cell differentiation, which are associated with inflammatory regulation, immune response, and metabolic disorder alleviation. The findings suggest that SGR exerts anti-eczema effects through multi-component synergy, modulating multiple targets and pathways to inhibit inflammatory cytokine release, restore immune balance, and repair the skin barrier. This study provides a theoretical foundation for the clinical application of SGR and methodological insights into the modernization of traditional Chinese medicine.