Systems Pharmacological Approach to Investigate the Mechanism of<i>Acori Tatarinowii Rhizoma</i>for Alzheimer’s Disease

Abstract

In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), <i>Acori Tatarinowii Rhizoma</i> (<i>ATR</i>) is widely used to treat memory and cognition dysfunction. This study aimed to confirm evidence regarding the potential therapeutic effect of <i>ATR</i> on Alzheimer's disease (AD) using a system network level based <i>in silico</i> approach. Study results showed that the compounds in <i>ATR</i> are highly connected to AD-related signaling pathways, biological processes, and organs. These findings were confirmed by compound-target network, target-organ location network, gene ontology analysis, and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis. Most compounds in <i>ATR</i> have been reported to have antifibrillar amyloid plaques, anti-tau phosphorylation, and anti-inflammatory effects. Our results indicated that compounds in <i>ATR</i> interact with multiple targets in a synergetic way. Furthermore, the mRNA expressions of genes targeted by <i>ATR</i> are elevated significantly in heart, brain, and liver. Our results suggest that the anti-inflammatory and immune system enhancing effects of <i>ATR</i> might contribute to its major therapeutic effects on Alzheimer's disease.