Exploring the mechanisms of Clinacanthus nutans in type 2 diabetes mellitus through network pharmacology

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: Clinacanthus nutans (CN), a traditional herbal medicine in Asia, has been reported to possess potential activity in treating type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However, the mechanism remains unknown. This study aims to explore the mechanism of CN in the treatment of T2DM through a pharmacology network approach.
METHODS: Potentially active constituents of CN were identified using UPLC-MS/MS. All predicted targets of CN and T2DM were screened from online databases. Overlapping targets of CN and T2DM were obtained using the Venny website. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment approaches were applied to elucidate the potential mechanisms. Molecular interactions between key target proteins and active compounds were predicted using Vina.
RESULTS: 16 potential active constituents and 169 overlapping targets of CN and T2DM were identified. Analysis revealed involvement in various signaling pathways, including neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction, inflammatory mediator regulation of TRP channels, calcium signaling, insulin resistance, and cGMP-PKG signaling. Key targets including MAPK3, MAPK9, PRKCA, MAPK10, ADRB1, and PRKCG were identified, with sesamolin, isovitexin, and stigmasterol showing promising docking results. CONCLUSION: This study clarifies the primary targets and potential pathways of CN in treating T2DM and provides guidance for its use as a raw material for functional foods and drugs.