摘要
Background:Fuzheng Huayu capsule(FZHY)combined with antiviral treatment has been shown to significantly reduce the risk of liver cancer in patients with hepatitis B cirrhosis.However,the potential of FZHY to directly treat liver cancer remains largely unknown.This study aims to investigate the molecular mechanism underlying the potential of FZHY in treating liver cancer.Methods:A network pharmacological analysis was performed using the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology database to identify FZHY compounds and targets.Disease targets were searched using the Genecards database,and transcriptome data was downloaded from the NCBI database.Gene Ontology analysis was conducted using the DAVID database,and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analysis was based on KOBAS and bioinformatics methods.The Swissdock database was used for molecular docking.In cell experiments,the half inhibitory concentration(IC50)of FZHY was determined using the CCK8 method.The effects of FZHY on cell viability,apoptosis,and mitochondrial membrane potential were evaluated using a fluorescence microscope and flow cytometry.The molecular mechanism of FZHY in treating liver cancer was verified using quantitative polymerase chain reaction.Results:A total of 127 compounds and 184 proteins were identified as potential active ingredients and putative liver cancer-related targets.Additionally,1,899 liver cancer targets,279 transcriptome targets,and 3 pathways(p53 signaling pathway,apoptosis and PI3K-Akt pathway)were collected.The FZHY-targets-liver cancer interaction network was constructed.IC50 of FZHY lyophilized powder solution to liver cancer was 5.13 mg/mL(IC50=5.13 mg/mL).FZHY treatment led to an increase in the ratio of cell apoptosis and induced mitochondrial membrane potential damage,resulting in an increase in the number of dead cells.The expression levels of CCNB1 and BIRC5 were induced with FZHY treatment,while the expression levels of AKR1C3 and IGF2 were reduced.Conclusion:FZHY promotes apoptosis of liver cancer cells
