The Active Ingredients and Mechanisms of Xuefuzhuyu Pills in Treating Hyperprolactinemia Caused by Antipsychotics based on UHPLCQ-TOF-MS/MS, Network Pharmacology, and Molecular Docking Validation.

Abstract

Background: XueFuZhuYu pills (XFZY), a traditional Chinese herbal formula originated from the xuefuzhuyu decoction in Correction on Errors in Medical Classics, has a certain clinical effect on the treatment of hyperprolactinemia (HPRL) caused by antipsychotics. However, the active ingredients and mechanism by which XFZY contributes to the hyperprolactinemia caused by antipsychotics remain unclear.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to investigate the molecular basis of XFZY in the therapy of antipsychotic-induced HPRL and to establish a scientific foundation for its application.

Methods: First, the UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS methodology was employed to perform chromatographic separation and gather mass spectrometry data. Subsequently, the preprocessed mass spectrometry data were uploaded to the Global Natural Products Social Molecular Networking (GNPS) platform for spectral library interrogation and molecular network analysis. Next, based on the detected chemical constituents and the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology (TCMSP) database, the effective chemical components within XFZY were chosen. Swiss Target Prediction was employed to determine probable targets of components, and we used Cytoscape to create a network of components and their associated targets. After that, HPRL-related targets were found and filtered using four disease databases, and then a proteinprotein interaction (PPI) network was built using the STRING database. Cytoscape was utilized to conduct visualization and cluster analysis. Meanwhile, the Metascape database was adopted for the enrichment analysis of GO and KEGG. At last, Autodock Vina was applied to perform molecular docking between the principal components and target proteins.

Results: In total, 213 compounds were discovered in XFZY. Two hundred eight active chemical components, 622 probable targets, and 242 HPRL-related target genes were identified. There were 76 common targets between the XFZY and HPRL. Following analysis, 1371 GO biological process items and 162 KEGG signal pathways were identified. The primary chemicals and target proteins exhibited great affinity in molecular docking.

Conclusion: This research manifests that XFZY, as a traditional Chinese medicine formula, proffers a novel pathway for the treatment of antipsychotic-induced HPRL. We elucidated the specific molecular mechanisms underlying the anti-HPRL effects of XFZY and its active ingredients, laying a foundation for the subsequent clinical applications of this formula.