네트워크 약리학을 이용한 소양증을 동반한 피부 염증에 대한 陳皮의 잠재적 치료기전 탐색

Abstract

Objective : To explore the potential therapeutic mechanisms of Citrus reticulata Blanco for inflammatory skin diseases accompanied by pruritus using network pharmacology and to compare its mechanisms with those of antihistamine(fexofenadine). Methods : Active compounds of Citrus reticulata Blanco were screened, and effective ingredients were selected from them. Pathways and terms associated with the common target proteins of Citrus reticulata Blanco, fexofenadine, and inflammatory skin diseases accompanied by pruritus were then explored. Results : Five active compounds were identified from Citrus reticulata Blanco, with 164 target proteins. Among these, 44 overlapping proteins were associated with pruritus-related targets. Key pathways included ‘Relaxin signaling pathway’, ‘Olefinic compound metabolic process’, ‘Peptidyl-tyrosine autophosphorylation’, and ‘Response to amyloid-Beta’. Indirect pathways related to proteins not associated with pruritus included ‘Regulation of cholesterol storage’, ‘Monoamine transport’ and ‘Regulation of synaptic transmission, GABAergic’. Meanwhile, SRC, PTGS2, MMP9, STAT1, and MMP2 were identified as coregenes playing significant roles. Citrus reticulata Blanco demonstrated potential therapeutic effects for inflammatory skin diseases accompanied by pruritus through suppressing inflammation, enhancing skin barrier integrity, and reducing neuronal sensitization. While fexofenadine primarily targets histamine-mediated pathways, Citrus reticulata Blanco showed broader efficacy by targeting both central and peripheral pathways of pruritus. Conclusion : Citrus reticulata Blanco has the potential to complement or enhance the effects of antihistamines by modulating both histamine-dependent and independent pathways, offering promise as an alternative or adjunct treatment for inflammatory skin diseases accompanied by pruritus. Further clinical studies are needed to validate these findings.