ObjectiveThis study aimed to analyze the mechanism of action of Huangqi (Astragalus Radix, HQ) - Jinyingzi (Rosae Laevigatae Fructus, JYZ) in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) based on network pharmacology and to verify the prediction through animal experimentation.

MethodsBased on the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP), Bioinformatics Analysis Tool for Molecular mechANism of Traditional Chinese Medicine (BATMAN-TCM) databases, and literature, the active components and related target genes of HQ and JYZ were screened. The BPH target genes were screened based on the DisGeNET and GeneGards databases, and Excel was used to merge and remove duplicates. The Perl language was used to obtain drug-BPH target genes by intersecting shared target genes. A drug-component-target gene network diagram was constructed using Cytoscape software. The drug-BPH intersection target genes were inputted into the STRING database, and the key target genes were selected according to the degree algorithm. The output formed the basis for Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses to determine the potential mechanism of HQ and JYZ in BPH treatment. High, medium, and low doses of HQ and JYZ extract were used to intervene in BPH rats, and then the prostate volume, wet weight, and prostate index of the BPH rats were determined. Changes in prostate histopathology and microvessel density (MVD) were evaluated using immunohistochemistry, and the optimal HQ and JYZ extract dose was confirmed. Finally, the optimal dose was used to intervene in a BPH rat model, and AKT1 and VEGF expressions were examined by immunohistochemistry.

ResultsBased on network pharmacology, 33 active components and 772 target genes were identified from HQ and JYZ, along with 817 BPH target genes and 112 drug-BPH common target genes. Among them were 10 key target genes, including AKT1, JUN, MAPK1, IL-6, TNF, ESR1, and VEGFA. KEGG enrichment analysis revealed 135 signaling pathways, including PI3K/AKT, IL-17, TNF, p53, MAPK, VEGF, JAK-STAT, and NF-κB pathways. The animal experiment showed that HQ and JYZ significantly improved prostate volume, wet weight, prostate index, and prostate histopathology of BPH rats, reducing MVD. In addition, HQ and JYZ inhibited the expression of AKT1 and VEGF in the prostate tissue of rats, promoted epithelial cell apoptosis, and inhibited angiogenesis, consistent with the prediction.

ConclusionThe combination of HQ and JYZ is effective for BPH therapy through multi-compound and multi-target collaboration. Its possible mechanism in treating BPH includes regulation of AKT1, VEGF protein, PI3K/Akt, and VEGF signaling pathways related to apoptosis, angiogenesis, and inflammation, with potential for clinical use and research.