Investigating pharmacological mechanisms of andrographolide on non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH): A bioinformatics approach of network pharmacology

Objective: To investigate the mechanisms of andrographolide against non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) based on network pharmacology, so as to provide a reference for further study of andrographolide in the treatment of NASH and other metabolic diseases.Methods: The methionine- and choline-deficient (MCD) diet-induced NASH mice were treated by administration of andrographolide, and serum transaminase and pathological changes were analyzed. The network pharmacology-based bioinformatic strategy was then used to search the potential targets, construct protein-protein interaction (PPI) network, analyze gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment, and conduct molecular docking to explore the molecular mechanisms. Results: The predicted core targets TNF, MAPK8, IL6, IL1B and AKT1 were enriched in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) signaling pathway and against NASH by regulation of de novo fatty acids synthesis, anti-inflammation and anti-oxidation. Conclusion: This work provides a scientific basis for further demonstration of the anti-NASH mechanisms of andrographolide.