Network pharmacology-based analysis of the mechanism of Saposhnikovia divaricata for the treatment of type I allergy

CONTEXT: Saposhnikovia divaricata (Turcz.) Schischk (Apiaceae) (SD) has various pharmacological activities, but its effects on type I allergy (TIA) have not been comprehensively studied. OBJECTIVE: This study evaluates the treatment and molecular mechanisms of SD against TIA. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The effective components and action targets of SD were screened using TCMSP database, and allergy-related targets of SD were predicted using GeneCards and OMIM database. The obtained target intersections were imported into David database for GO analysis, and used R software to perform KEGG analysis. The RBL-2H3 cells sensitised by DNP-IgE/DNP-BSA were treated with different concentrations of SD (root decoction, 0.5, 1, and 2 mg/mL), prim-O-glucosylcimifugin (POG, 10, 40, and 80 μg/mL) and the positive control drug–ketotifen fumarate (KF, 30 μM) for 12 h, then subjected to cell degranulation and qPCR analysis. RESULTS: Eighteen active compounds of SD and 38 intersection targets were obtained: TIA-related signal pathways mainly include calcium signal pathway, PI3K–Akt signal pathway and MAPK signal pathway. Taking the β-Hex release rate of the model group as the base, the release rate of SD and POG in high dose groups were 43.79% and 57.01%, respectively, which were significantly lower than model group (p < 0.01), and significantly lower than KF group (63.83%, p < 0.01, p < 0.05). SD and POG could down-regulate the expression of related proteins in the Lyn/Syk, PI3K/AKT and MAPK signalling pathways. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Saposhnikovia divaricata could inhibit IgE-induced degranulation of mast cells, providing a scientific basis for further research and clinical applications of SD in TIA treatment.