Core Active Substances and Molecular Mechanisms of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Treating IgA Nephropathy Based on Data Mining and Network Pharmacology

Chuanqi YANG; Ruolian ZHAO; Yajuan TANG; Zijie LIU; Huan LI; Hui ZHANG; Lin CHAI

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Chuanqi YANG, Ruolian ZHAO, Yajuan TANG, Zijie LIU, Huan LI, Hui ZHANG, Lin CHAI. Core Active Substances and Molecular Mechanisms of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Treating IgA Nephropathy Based on Data Mining and Network Pharmacology[J]. Journal of Kunming Medical University.

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Core Active Substances and Molecular Mechanisms of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Treating IgA Nephropathy Based on Data Mining and Network Pharmacology

1.
Department of Laboratory Medicine，Kunming Municipal Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine/The Third Affiliated Hospital of Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine，Kunming Yunnan 650500
2.
Department of Laboratory Medicine，The First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University，Kunming Yunnan 650032，China

Received Date: 2025-12-09
Available Online: 2026-01-14

Abstract

Abstract

Objective To predict the mechanism of traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） in treating IgA nephropathy （IgAN） based on data mining and network pharmacology, and to verify findings through in vitro experiments. Methods Medical case records for IgAN treatment were retrieved from the Ancient and Modern Medical Case Cloud Platform to screen core drugs. Drug targets were searched in databases including TCMSP, and IgAN targets were searched in databases such as Genecards. Venn diagrams were used to identify intersecting targets, establishing disease-component-target network maps. PPI networks were constructed, followed by GO and KEGG analysis, with molecular docking validation. An IgAN cell model was established with control groups, model groups （IgA）, and drug-treated groups at different concentrations （quercetin）. Cell viability was detected using CCK-8 assays; IL-6 secretion levels were measured by ELISA; target gene expression levels were detected by RT-qPCR. Results Data mining revealed Astragalus had the highest frequency at 144 occurrences; TCM properties were predominantly cold, sweet, hepatic-targeting, and heat-clearing with detoxifying effects. Network pharmacology analysis identified core substances as quercetin, kaempferol, luteolin, homoisoflavone, and isoleucine. PPI analysis identified core targets as ESR1, IL6, BCL2, JUN, and CASP3. Molecular docking verified strong binding affinity between core substances and targets. GO analysis included positive regulation of gene expression; KEGG enrichment pathways included AGE-RAGE signaling and IL-17 signaling pathways. Experimental verification showed that quercetin intervention increased cell viability （P < 0.05）; suppressed IL-6 expression （P < 0.01）, and upregulated ESR1, BCL-2 mRNA levels （P < 0.05）, and downregulating IL-6, JUN, and CASP3 levels （P < 0.05）. Conclusion This study elucidated medication patterns for IgAN treatment, identified core therapeutic substances and corresponding targets, and experimentally validated that quercetin enhances cell viability under IgA stimulation, suppresses inflammatory cytokine secretion, and modulates target gene expression, providing valuable insights for investigating molecular mechanisms of IgAN therapy.
- IgA nephropathy,
- Data mining,
- Network pharmacology,
- Molecular docking,
- In vitro experiment

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References(31)

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