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2000
Volume 21, Issue 6
  • ISSN: 1573-4099
  • E-ISSN: 1875-6697

Abstract

Background

Gushukang (GSK), a traditional Chinese medical prescription, has made a great and extensive contribution to the treatment of different forms of osteoporosis, but polypharmacology studies of its mechanism of action are lacking. This study investigates the pharmacological mechanism of osteoporosis using network pharmacology and molecular docking. Experimental verification was carried out to confirm the efficacy of GSK on RANKL-induced osteoclast differentiation in RAW264.7 cells to verify the network pharmacology studies.

Methods

The effective chemical components and corresponding targets of osteoporosis with oral bioavailability of more than 30% and drug-like properties greater than 0.18 were searched in the TCMSP and TCM-ID databases. DrugBank, GeneCards, OMIM, TTD, and other databases were examined for targets related to osteoporosis. Using Cytoscape software, a network of possible TCM-active ingredient-osteoporosis targets was created. STRING software was used to create the networks of protein-protein interactions. The DAVID program was carried out to conduct GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analyses of the targets. Molecular docking and pattern of action analysis were carried out using software like AutoDock Vina and Discovery Studio Visualizer. The growth media for RAW264.7 cells contained varying doses of GSK serum and 50 ng/mL RANKL. The activity of TRAP was altered. Additionally, genes related to osteoclasts were examined using an RT-PCR assay.

Results

Network pharmacological analysis revealed that the primary efficacy targets of osteoporosis were PTGS2, PTGS1, HSP90AA1, NCOA2, ADRB2, ESR1, NCOA1, and AR. The pharmacological targets of osteoporosis may be mediated by substances including quercetin, kaempferol, luteolin, naringenin, icariin, anthocyanin, tanshinone IIA, and cryptotanshinone. GSK markedly inhibited RANKL-induced TRAP activity. qRT-PCR results revealed decreased expression of the PTGS2 and ADRB2 genes upon GSK treatment.

Conclusion

The findings of network pharmacology, molecular docking, as well as experimental verification provide a new further study for elucidating the pharmacodynamic substance basis and polypharmacology mechanism of GSK in treatin osteoporosis.

© 2025 Bentham Science Publishers
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Study on the Mechanism of Action of the Traditional Chinese Medical Prescription Gushukang in Treating Osteoporosis Based on Network Pharmacology and Experimental Verification
Curr. Computeraided Drug Des. 21, 752 (2025); https://doi.org/10.2174/0115734099282620240521102006
/content/journals/cad/10.2174/0115734099282620240521102006
/content/journals/cad/10.2174/0115734099282620240521102006
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  • Article Type:     Research Article
Keyword(s): experimental verification; Gushukang; molecular docking; network pharmacology; osteoporosis; pharmacodynamic; polypharmacology

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