Traditional Chinese Medicine Strategy for Treating Major Depressive Disorder Based on a Famous Formulation-Baweixiaoyaosan

Abstract

In this study, systematic pharmacological methods were used to reveal the potential pharmacological targets of baweixiaoyaosan in the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD). We identified 133 potential active compounds through data mining and absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion evaluation systems. Then, the target of potential active compounds is predicted by a system model based on random forest and support vector machine methods. Next, construct herbal ingredient-target networks and target-disease networks for further analysis of multi-directional treatment methods. At the same time, we also performed gene ontology enrichment analysis, tissue location analysis, and pathway analysis on 76 potential targets. Finally, we conducted the Jun-Chen-Zuo-Shi compatibility analysis of the formula and scientifically explained the different functions of different herbs in the formula. In short, we found that the formula mainly exerts the effect of treating MDD through the four functional modules of inflammation inhibition, neuroprotection, monoamine neurotransmitter and liver. This research not only explores the mechanism of Traditional Chinese Medicine treatment of MDD from a multi-scale perspective, but also provides a reference for future research on BWXYS. It plays a role in promoting the widespread use of BWXYS.

Key words
Baweixiaoyaosan formula; depression; herbal medicine; molecular pathogenesis; systems pharmacology