Exploration of the Mechanism of Chaihu Shugan San in Treating Comorbid Depression in Liver Cancer Based on Literature Review

NING Zixin; LI Haoyue; GAO Kun; CAO Yang; YUE Guangxin; SHEN Li

Abstract：Objective Exploring the mechanisms of Chaihu Shugan San in treating liver cancer with depression based on gene chip mining from the GEO database and network pharmacology,focusing on the promoting Qi circulation group,relieving depression group and whole recipe group. Methods Use the TCMSP platform to identify the potential active ingredients and candidate targets of Chaihu Shugan San. Download gene datasets related to liver cancer and depression from the GEO database. Take the intersection of drug targets from different groups and disease genes,conduct protein-protein interaction (PPI) analysis on the intersecting targets using the STRING database,screen for core network nodes,and finally perform pathway information mining on the core targets using the Reactome database. Results A total of 24 intersecting targets were obtained from the promoting Qi circulation group,52 from the relieving depression group,and 57 from the whole formula group. After screening,9 core targets were identified for the promoting Qi circulation group,20 for the relieving depression group,and 21 for the Chaihu Shugan San group. The main pathways associated with the core targets in the promoting Qi circulation group include regulation of the cell cycle,regulation of tumor protein p53 (TP53) expression,and phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K) signaling in cancer. The core targets of the relieving depression group mainly involve interleukin-10 signaling,cell cycle,TP53-regulated transcription,induction of cell senescence by oncogenes,cellular stress response,and oxidative stress-induced cell senescence. The whole formula shares similar pathways with the relieving depression group. Conclusion The promoting Qi circulation group may treat liver cancer by regulating the cell cycle,cell proliferation,apoptosis,autophagy,invasion,and migration. The relieving depression group and Chaihu Shugan San may potentially exert their effects in treating liver cancer with depression by modulating the "neuroendocrine-immune" system,inhibiting immune response,suppressing microglial cell activation,inhibiting hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activation,and exhibiting antioxidant properties. The drugs in the relieving depression group potentially serve as core medications when using Chaihu Shugan San for treating this comorbidity.