To explore the mechanism and experimental verification of ginsenoside Rb1, Angelica polysaccharide combined with astragaloside IV compounds in the treatment of aplastic anemia based on network pharmacology

Background Aplastic anemia is a life-threatening condition that leads to anemia, bleeding and infection. We used network pharmacology to investigate the mechanism of action of Ginsenoside Rb1, Angelica polysaccharide combined with astragaloside IV compounds in the treatment of aplastic anemia. Methods In this study, HERB and TCMSP databases were used to obtain Ginsenoside Rb1, Angelica polysaccharide combined with astragaloside IV compounds, and ADMET lab3.0 was used to screen the active ingredients. The molecular structure was obtained by using PubChem database, and the active component Target was further predicted by Swiss Target Prediction. GeneCards and DisGeNET databases were used to obtain related targets, and the intersection of active ingredient prediction targets and disease targets was obtained through Origin 2023 Academic software. The PPI interaction network of intersecting targets was constructed using STRING platform, and the potential key targets was screened by Cytoscape software. Again, use Cytoscape software to build ingredient-targets and find the core active ingredients. GO functional enrichment analysis and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis were conducted through Metascape database. Finally, molecular docking was performed to further clarify the components and target action mechanism of its therapeutic effect. The levels of HIF-1 signaling pathway were detected by Western blotting (WB) and qRT-PCR. Results A total of 233 active ingredients were screened, including 438 predicted targets, 2964 disease targets and 94 intersection targets were screened for aplastic anemia treatment. The core targets were STAT3, PIK3CB, PIK3CA, PDGFR, PDGFRA, EGFRH, EP300, ESR1, PTPN1 and PIK3CD. GO and KEGG enrichment analysis mainly pointed to the functions related to the positive regulation of external stimulus response, etc. The signal transduction involved mainly included the pathways such as HIF-1 signaling pathway. WB and qRT-PCR results showed that the levels of HIF-1a, BNIP3, TXNIP and GLUT1 in different dose groups were significantly different from those in model group. Conclusion Ginsenoside Rb1, Angelica polysaccharide combined with astragaloside IV compounds may play a role in the treatment of aplastic anemia through HIF-1 signaling pathway, which initially reveals the potential mechanism of action in the treatment of aplastic anemia, and provides a theoretical basis for further research and clinical application.