Network pharmacology study and experimental verification of the inhibition of oral squamous cell carcinoma by modified Zeng-Sheng-Ping

WANG Jia-qi; LIN Fei-ran; YANG Sen; ZHOU Yong-xiang; GUAN Xiao-bing

doi:10.19749/j.cn.cjgd.1672-2973.2024.01.002

Abstract：Objective Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma(OSCC)is the most prevalent malignant tumor of the head and neck,posing a significant threat to patients'health.Zeng-Sheng-Ping,a traditional Chinese medicine,was previously utilized as an active anticancer agent with notable clinical efficacy,however,its administration was gradually discontinued due to hepatotoxicity.Our research group has developed Modified Zeng-Sheng-Ping(ZSP-M),which exhibits high efficiency and low toxicity in early-stage treatment.Nevertheless,the underlying pharmacodynamic mechanism remains unclear.The objective of this study was to investigate the pharmacodynamic mechanism of ZSP-M in inhibiting OSCC.Methods The intersection targets of ZSP-M and OSCC were obtained through network pharmacological analysis,and GO and KEGG enrichment analysis were performed.The effects of ZSP-M on OSCC cell proliferation,clonogenesis,migration,invasion,apoptosis and other biological behaviors were investigated through cell experiments.Western blot was performed to verify the expression of related target proteins.Results There were 168 intersection targets of ZSP-M and OSCC,which were enriched in tumor and inflammatory immune-related pathways.ZSP-M exhibited a dose-dependent inhibition on the formation,migration,and invasion of SCC7 and CAL27 cells.It also promoted apoptosis and Caspase-3 enzyme release without significantly affecting proliferation.Furthermore,ZSP-M inhibited the phosphorylation of AKT,ERK1/2,and P65 proteins in a dose-dependent manner in SCC7 and CAL27 cells.Conclusion The inhibitory effect of ZSP-M on OSCC demonstrates its characteristics as a multi-target agent acting through multiple pathways.This study provides scientific evidence for combining traditional Chinese medicine with Western medicine for the prevention and treatment of oral cancer.