Objective:

2

To identify the core targets of

Rheum palmatum

L. and

Salvia miltiorrhiza

Bge.

(Dahuang-Danshen

DH-DS) and the mechanism underlying its therapeutic efficacy in acute pancreatitis (AP) using a network pharmacology approach and validate the findings in animal experiments.

Methods:

2

Network pharmacology analysis was used to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the therapeutic effects of DH-DS in AP. The reliability of the results was verified by molecular docking simulation and molecular dynamics simulation. Finally

the results of network pharmacology enrichment analysis were verified by immunohistochemistry

Western blot analysis and real-time quantitative PCR

respectively.

Results:

2

Sixty-seven common targets of DH-DS in AP were identified and mitogen-activated protein kinase 3 (MAPK3)

Janus kinase 2 (JAK2)

signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3)

protein c-Fos (FOS) were identified as core targets in the protein interaction (PPI) network analysis. Gene ontology analysis showed that cellular response to organic substance was the main functions of DH-DS in AP

and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analysis showed that the main pathway included Th17 cell differentiation. Molecular docking simulation confirmed that DH-DS binds with strong affinity to MAPK3

STAT3 and FOS. Molecular dynamics simulation revealed that FOS-isotanshinone Ⅱ and STAT3-dan-shexinkum d had good binding capacity. Animal experiments indicated that compared with the AP model group

DH-DS treatment effectively alleviated AP by inhibiting the expression of interleukin-1β

interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α

and blocking the activation of Th17 cell differentiation (

P

<

0.01).

Conclusion:

2

DH-DS could inhibit the expression of inflammatory factors and protect pancreatic tissues

which would be functioned by regulating Th17 cell differentiation-related mRNA and protein expressions.