Imagine you’re a detective trying to solve a complex case. You gather clues, analyze evidence, and connect the dots to uncover the truth. That’s exactly what scientists did to unravel the molecular mechanism behind the effectiveness of Xingnao Kaiqiao Pill in treating perioperative neurocognitive disorder (PND). Using advanced network pharmacology and molecular docking techniques, they identified the key ingredients and targets of the pill, revealing how it interacts with the immune and inflammatory signaling pathways. It’s like finding the missing puzzle pieces to complete a beautiful picture! The study found that the pill mainly acts on targets like MAPK and JUN, which play crucial roles in regulating inflammation and protecting neurons in the central nervous system. By adjusting important signaling pathways involved in CNS inflammatory response, cellular immunity, and tumor-related pathways, Xingnao Kaiqiao Pill has the potential to effectively treat PND. This breakthrough research opens up exciting possibilities for improving perioperative cognitive function. Dive deeper into this fascinating study to learn more about the inner workings of Xingnao Kaiqiao Pill and its promise as a therapeutic intervention for PND.

To investigate the molecular mechanism of Xingnao Kaiqiao Pill in the treatment of perioperative neurocognitive disorder (PND) from the perspective of network pharmacology and molecular docking technology. Active ingredients of Xingnao Kaiqiao Pill were screened from the traditional Chinese medicine database and analysis platform, and the putative targets were predicted. The GeneCards database was searched to obtain PND-related targets. The genes corresponding to the targets were searched and annotated on the UniProt database. The VennDiagram package in R was employed to obtain common target genes. The overlap genes were introduced into STRING to obtain a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network; thus, key targets were screened. The target relationship network of “Xingnao Kaiqiao Pill–traditional Chinese medicine–compound–common target” was constructed by Cytoscape software. Using R language package Bioconductor, Gene Ontology (GO) and pathway enrichment analysis (Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes Pathway, KEGG Pathway) were performed on the common target genes. A total of 45 active ingredients of Xingnao Kaiqiao Pill were screened, with 182 potential targets, and 1,579 PND-related targets were retrieved from the GeneCards databases (Score ≥ 1). Using VennDiagram, 132 overlap genes were gotten. Xingnao Kaiqiao Pill mainly acted on targets, such as MAPK and JUN. GO enrichment analysis displayed G protein-coupled amine receptor activity, nuclear receptor activity, ligand-activated transcription factor activity, G protein-coupled neurotransmitter receptor activity, steroid hormone receptor activity, and cytokine receptor activity. KEGG enrichment analysis exhibited 157 signaling pathways. The regulation of interleukin 17, tumor necrosis factor, hypoxia-inducible factor-1, and MAPK signaling pathways affected central nervous system (CNS) inflammatory response, cellular immunity, tumor-related signaling pathways, protected neurons, and inhibited PND. The active ingredients of Xingnao Kaiqiao Pill adjust interleukin 17, tumor necrosis factor, hypoxia-inducible factor-1, and MAPK signaling pathways by acting on cell targets, such as JUN, MAPK, AKT1, etc., and finally exert a therapeutic effect on PND.

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