Exploring the potential mechanism of Kaixinsan powder for the same pathogenesis of PTSD and anxiety based on network pharmacology and molecular docking: A review

BACKGROUND: Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and anxiety are common mental illnesses and there are many similar pathogenesis and clinical manifestations between PTSD and anxiety. Kaixinsan powder (KXS), a commonly used prescription in traditional Chinese medicine, has been widely used to treat PTSD and anxiety. This study aims to explore the potential mechanisms of KXS for the same pathogenesis of PTSD and anxiety using a network pharmacology approach. METHODS: The bioactive components and relevant target genes of KXS were obtained from the database about Traditional Chinese Medicine. The key genes of PTSD and anxiety were derived from disease databases. Subsequently, the network of protein–protein interaction and a network of “drug-components-disease-targets” was constructed. In order to treat PTSD and anxiety, gene ontology enrichment and signaling pathway enrichment were analyzed by using R language and components-core targets associated were validated by molecular docking. RESULTS: One hundred three targets of KXS in treating PTSD and anxiety were identified. The results of protein–protein interaction analysis and molecular docking indicated that AKT1 and IL-6 were crucial targets. Moreover, KEGG analysis has shown that neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction, calcium signaling pathway, and cAMP signaling pathway may play crucial roles in treating PTSD and anxiety. Ten biological process, 10 molecular function, and 10 cellular component were revealed via gene ontology analysis. CONCLUSIONS: The network pharmacology study and molecular docking indicated that KXS treated anxiety and PTSD by multiple components, targets, and signaling pathways. These results provide an important reference for subsequent basic research on PTSD and anxiety.