Gaurav Gautam
Senior Researcher, Department of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry, IIMT College of Medical Sciences, IIMT University, ‘O’ Pocket Ganga Nagar-250001, Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, India.
Corresponding Author: Gaurav Gautam, Senior Researcher, Department of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry, IIMT College of Medical Sciences, IIMT University, ‘O’ Pocket Ganga Nagar-250001, Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, India.
Received date: 22nd October, 2023
Accepted date: 03rd November, 2023
Published date: 07th November, 2023
Citation: Gautam, G., (2023). Advancement of Network Pharmacology in Multi-targeted Therapeutic Evaluation of Medicinal Plants. J CAM Res Progress, 2(1): 113.
Copyright: ©2023, This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited. Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited
In recent years, network pharmacology has emerged as a powerful approach for understanding the complex interactions between various bioactive components of medicinal plants and their targets within biological systems [1,2]. This approach plays a pivotal role in evaluating the multi-targeted therapeutic potential of medicinal plants, making it a promising tool for drug discovery and development. The integration of traditional knowledge with modern analytical techniques and computational methods has enabled the comprehensive exploration of the pharmacological properties of medicinal plants [3-6]. Medicinal plants have been an essential part of traditional medicine systems worldwide for centuries. These plants contain a wide array of bioactive compounds, such as alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, and polyphenols, which exert therapeutic effects through interactions with specific molecular targets [7,8]. However, elucidating the intricate relationships between these compounds and their targets has proven challenging [2].
Network pharmacology offers a holistic approach to this problem by incorporating techniques from network science, systems biology, and chemoinformatics. It allows researchers to construct complex interaction networks that connect bioactive compounds to their target proteins. By analyzing these networks, it becomes possible to predict how different compounds from medicinal plants may exert their therapeutic effects on various disease pathways [9,10]. One of the major advantages of network pharmacology is its capacity to explore the potential multitargeted effects of medicinal plants. Unlike single target drugs, many diseases involve a network of interconnected molecular pathways. Medicinal plants, with their multiple bioactive components, can influence multiple points within these networks, providing a holistic approach to treatment [3,7,11,12]. In a recent study conducted on network pharmacological based exploration of therapeutic targets of Boerhaavia diffusa and Tinospora cordifolia herbal combination in chronic kidney disease, it has been reported that the major constituents of these plants such as quercetin, ferulic acid, gallic acid, ameliorates the different pathophysiological targets in treatment of kidney disease [4]. Ekbbal et al reported that effect of rosmarinic acid in regulation of Proto-Oncogene c-Fos, Interleukin 2 and Poly (ADP-Ribose) Glycohydrolase, lymphocyte-specific protein tyrosine kinase (LCK), an inhibitor of nuclear factor kappa B kinase subunit beta (IKBKB), C-C motif chemokine receptor 3 (CCR3), Protein C Receptor (PROCR), etc Genomic Expression in attenuation of diabetes and associated complications [13]. Gautam (2022) reported traditional therapeutic claim of Momordica Charantia in alleviation of diabetic nephropathy using neptrok pharmacological approaches. The results showed that polyphenols present in Momordica Charantia play a significant role in the etiology and treatment of diabetic neuropathy by regulating numerous genomes includes AKTs, CASPs, MAPKs, ILs, NOs, etc [6].
In a study published in Biomedicine journal, multi-mechanistic and therapeutic targets were determined of a India’s polyherbal formulation “NEERI KFT” using network pharmacological approaches and reported that gallic acid, quercetin, ferulic acid, etc exhibits a significant role in alleviation of nephrotoxicity induce by cisplatin [3,14]. Tinospora cordifolia is one of the most india’s famous medicinal plants used for several therapeutic effect. Gaurav et al reported that it plays a significant effect in alleviation of kidney disease via regulating several pathophysiological targets involved in kidney disease. Furthermore, it was reported that five fatty acids were identified by network pharmacological interaction analysis as having a significant impact on genes including AGTR1, ATG, RELA, NOS3, NOS2, REN, INS, IL6, TNF, MAPK1, and CASP3. These genes may be able to regulate a number of pathophysiological conditions, including insulin resistance, hypertension, oxidative and inflammatory stress, and electrolyte homeostasis, thus supporting normal kidney function [5].
Additionally, network pharmacology helps identify critical hubs or key target proteins within the interaction network [13,15,16]. These hubs often play essential roles in disease development and progression. By targeting these hubs, researchers can develop more effective therapeutic strategies and prioritize compounds with the highest potential for clinical success. Furthermore, network pharmacology assists in the identification of drug-repurposing opportunities. Many medicinal plants have been traditionally used for specific conditions, but network pharmacology may reveal their potential efficacy in treating other diseases. This approach minimizes the time and cost required for developing new drugs by repurposing existing natural remedies [13,17,18]. It has been reported that [19].
In conclusion, the advancement of network pharmacology has provided a robust platform for the multi-targeted therapeutic evaluation of medicinal plants. It combines the knowledge of traditional medicine with modern techniques to uncover the intricate interactions between bioactive compounds and their molecular targets. This approach enhances our understanding of the therapeutic potential of medicinal plants, making them valuable sources of new drug candidates and treatment strategies. As we continue to unveil the full potential of network pharmacology, we can expect more effective and holistic approaches to addressing various health challenges.
M. Misra, B. Chauhan, R. Ekbbal, S. Yadav, N. kaur Gaurav, Y. Yasheshwar, (2023). Exploring antihypertensive effect of rutin through system based computational analysis, Ann. Phytomedicine An Int. J. 12. 1–7. https://doi.org/10.54085/ ap.2023.12.1.69.View
S. Salar, Gaurav, P. Sharma, (2023). Quality Control and Multi-targeted Therapeutic Approach of Nyctanthes arbor-tristris for Management of Hepatic Disease and Associated Complications, Pharmacogn. Mag. https://doi. org/10.1177/09731296231189619.View
Gaurav, I. Sharma, M.U. Khan, S. Zahiruddin, P. Basist, S. Ahmad, (2023). Multi-Mechanistic and Therapeutic Exploration of Nephroprotective Effect of Traditional Ayurvedic Polyherbal Formulation Using In Silico, In Vitro and In Vivo Approaches, Biomedicines. 11. https://doi.org/10.3390/ biomedicines11010168View
Gaurav, M.U. Khan, P. Basist, S. Zahiruddin, M. Ibrahim, R. Parveen, A. Krishnan, S. Ahmad, (2022). Nephroprotective potential of Boerhaavia diffusa and Tinospora cordifolia herbal combination against diclofenac induced nephrotoxicity, South African J. Bot. 000. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sajb.2022.01.038View
Gaurav, GC–MS (2022). metabolomics and network pharmacology-based investigation of molecular mechanism of identified metabolites from Tinospora cordifolia (Willd.) miers for the treatment of kidney diseases, Pharmacogn. Mag. 18. 548–558. https://doi.org/10.4103/pm.pm_582_21View
G. Gautam, (2022). Network Pharmacology-Based Validation of Traditional Therapeutic Claim of Momordica Charantiain Alleviating Diabetic Nephropathy, J. CAM Res. Prog. 1,1–10.View
M.U. Khan, P. Basist, Gaurav, S. Zahiruddin, N.R. Penumallu, S. Ahmad, (2024). Ameliorative effect of traditional polyherbal formulation on TNF-α, IL-1β and Caspase-3 expression in kidneys of wistar rats against sodium fluoride induced oxidative stress, J. Ethnopharmacol. https://doi.org/10.1016/j. jep.2023.116900.View
M.U. Khan, Gaurav, S. Zahiruddin, P. Basist, A. Krishnan, R. Parveen, S. Ahmad, (2022). Nephroprotective potential of Sharbat-e-Bazoori Motadil (sugar-free) in HEK-293 cells and Wistar rats against cisplatin induced nephrotoxicity, J. King Saud Univ. - Sci. 34. 101839. https://doi.org/10.1016/j. jksus.2022.101839.View
G. Gautam, R. Parveen, S. Ahmad, (2023). LC-MS-based Metabolomics of Medicinal Plants, in: Omi. Stud. Med. Plants, https://doi.org/10.1201/9781003179139-9.View
S. Ali, R. Ekbbal, S. Salar, S.A. Ali, A.K. Jaiswal, M. Singh, D.K. Yadav, S. Kumar, (2023). Quality Standards and Pharmacological Interventions of Natural Oils : Current Scenario and Future Perspectives. https://doi.org/10.1021/ acsomega.3c05241View
S. Ahmad, S. Zahiruddin, B. Parveen, P. Basist, A. Parveen, Gaurav, R. Parveen, M. Ahmad, (2021). Indian Medicinal Plants and Formulations and Their Potential Against COVID-19 Preclinical and Clinical Research, Front. Pharmacol. https:// doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2020.578970.View
S. Zahiruddin, P. Basist, A. Parveen, R. Parveen, W. Khan, Gaurav, S. Ahmad, (2020). Ashwagandha in brain disorders: A review of recent developments, J. Ethnopharmacol. https://doi. org/10.1016/j.jep.2020.112876.View
R. Ekbbal, M.S. Akhtar, W.M. Al-shaqha, S. Kumar, A.K. Jaiswal, M. Aggarwal, D.K. Yadav, M. Islam, (2023). Regulation of Interleukin 2 , Proto-Oncogene c-Fos and Poly ( ADP Ribose) Glycohydrolase Genomic Expression by Rosmarinic Acid in Attenuation of Diabetes and Associated Complications, 37. 3321–3331.View
G. Gautam, B. Parveen, M. Umar Khan, I. Sharma, A. Kumar Sharma, R. Parveen, S. Ahmad, (2021). A systematic review on nephron protective AYUSH drugs as constituents of NEERI KFT (A traditional Indian polyherbal formulation) for the management of chronic kidney disease, Saudi J. Biol. Sci. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.SJBS.2021.07.008.View
Gaurav, S. Zahiruddin, B. Parveen, M. Ibrahim, I. Sharma, S. Sharma, A.K. Sharma, R. Parveen, S. Ahmad, (2020). TLC-MS bioautography-based identification of free-radical scavenging, α-amylase, and α-glucosidase inhibitor compounds of antidiabetic tablet BGR-34, ACS Omega. https://doi. org/10.1021/acsomega.0c02995.View
Gaurav, N. Anwar, S. Zahiruddin, S. Ahmad, (2023). TLC bioautography-MS-based Identification of Antioxidant, α-Amylase and α-Glucosidase Inhibitory Compounds in a Polyherbal Formulation “Sugreen-120,” Pharmacogn. Mag. https://doi.org/10.1177/09731296221145064.View
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R. Ekbbal, A. Iqubal, M. Ansari, S. Ahmad, S. Haque, (2022). Evaluation of cardioprotective potential of isolated swerchirin against the isoproterenol-induced cardiotoxicity in wistar albino rats, Pharmacogn. Mag. https://doi.org/10.4103/ pm.pm_500_20.View
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