Network Pharmacology Suggests Mechanisms for Therapeutic Effects of <i>Caulis Sinomenii</i> on Avian Gout.

Abstract

Avian gout (AG) is detrimental to the survival and production performance of poultry and effective drugs are lacking. <i>Caulis sinomenii</i> has shown clinical efficacy against arthritis and may have potential value in AG prevention and treatment. In the present study, the components and targets of <i>C. sinomenii</i> and AG-related targets were identified using relevant databases. The common targets, target interactions, and signaling pathways involved in the prevention and treatment of AG by <i>C. sinomenii</i> were determined using software to explore the potential mechanisms of action. Sixteen components of <i>C. sinomenii</i>, eight of which were active ingredients with 351 targets and 2993 AG-related targets, were identified using several databases. A total of 156 common targets were associated with 202 biological processes and 34 pathways. Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and prostaglandin endoperoxide synthase 2 were core targets. These targets may exert therapeutic effects on AG through four pathways: the nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain (NOD)-like receptor, mammalian target of rapamycin, TLR, and mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathways. In summary, <i>C. sinomenii</i> has potential therapeutic efficacy against AG through multicomponent, multi-target, and multi-pathway mechanisms.