Exploring the Mechanism of Action of Modified Bazhen Decoction in Modulating Chronic Cerebral Ischemic Injury Through the Ferroptosis Pathway Based on Network Pharmacology

Abstract

The modified bazhen decoction is an agreement formula used in the treatment of cerebral ischemia at the hospital affiliated with Jiangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. It has been shown to effectively alleviate clinical symptoms associated with inadequate cerebral blood supply. However, its therapeutic mechanism remains unclear. Based on network pharmacology, this study investigates the mechanism by which modified bazhen decoction regulates chronic cerebral ischemic injury through the ferroptosis pathway. TCMSP database, GeneCards database, and FerrDb database were searched for the corresponding targets.A PPI network was constructed using the core targets, followed by analyses of GO functions and KEGG pathways. Finally, the therapeutic effect of modified bazhen decoction on chronic cerebral ischemic injury through the ferroptosis pathway was verified by animal experiments.PPI analysis revealed core targets, including TP53, IL6, PTGS2, JUN, STAT3, and IL1B. The top five active ingredients, ranked by degree value, were identified as quercetin, β-sitosterol, kaempferol, lignans, and stigmasterol. The results of animal experiments suggest that the modified bazhen decoction can effectively improve cognitive impairment, alleviate oxidative stress and iron death, and repair damaged cells. modified bazhen decoction effectively inhibits neuronal damage and improves neurological dysfunction in chronic cerebral ischemic injury through the ferroptosis pathway. Its neuroprotective effects are associated with modulation of the lipid and atherosclerosis pathways and its action on the PTGS2 target.