Network pharmacology-based identification of key mechanism of Buyang Huanwu decoction acting on atherosclerosis

Aim To explore the effective components and inhibitory mechanism of Buyang Huanwu decoction in atherosclerotic progress. Methods TCM system pharmacology platform and Human Phenotypic Ontolo¬gy database by means of information technology of TCM big data were carried out to screen the association be¬tween Buyang Huanwu decoction and atherosclerosis. A visual network of " Buyang Huanwu Decoction-Tradi¬tional Chinese Medicine-Chemical Components-Core Target-Critical Pathway" was constructed. The inhibito¬ry effect of Buyang Huanwu decoction on atherosclero¬sis was explored by the effective components and mech¬anism analysis. Results The 174 core targets from 140 compounds of Buyang Huanwu decoction were screened by pharmacology platform of traditional Chi¬nese medicine system. They are involved in biological processes such as cholesterol efflux, apoptosis, inflam¬mation and immune-related pathway such as cancer, Hepatitis B, PI3K-Akt pathway, T cell receptor signal pathway and FoxO pathway. Conclusions Buyang Huanwu decoction may be involved in the regulation of lipid metabolism, apoptosis, immune and inflammatory responses and other mechanisms to prevent and treat atherosclerosis.