Treatment of delayed fracture healing with Bushen Tiansui decoction: Analysis of active agents and targets using bioinformatics and network pharmacology analysis.

Objective: This study aims to utilize bioinformatics and network pharmacology to identify the active components of Bushen Tiansui decoction (BSTSD) and elucidate its molecular mechanisms and targets in promoting delayed fracture healing.

Materials and methods: Using various databases and tools, we identified 155 active compounds within BSTSD's herbal components. Key compounds such as eriodictyol and β-sitosterol were noted for their significant anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory effects, which are crucial for promoting fracture healing.

Results: Network analysis revealed compounds such as kaempferol and luteolin as having high centrality within the network, indicating their central role in the therapeutic effects of BSTSD. Gene ontology (GO) enrichment analysis highlighted that biological processes such as gland development and aging are vital for fracture healing. Cellular components like membrane rafts and microdomains are essential for maintaining cellular functions and signal transduction during bone repair. Molecular functions such as protein serine/threonine kinase activity play key roles in regulating bone cell proliferation, differentiation, and remodeling. KEGG pathway analysis identified critical pathways including prostate cancer, proteoglycans in cancer, lipid and atherosclerosis, EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor resistance, chemical carcinogenesis receptor activation, PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, hepatitis B, endocrine resistance, HIF-1 signaling pathway, and estrogen signaling pathway. Molecular docking results showed strong binding affinities between key compounds and target proteins, supporting the reliability of the network pharmacology predictions.

Conclusion: This study provides a comprehensive understanding of the molecular mechanisms by which BSTSD promotes fracture healing, identifying active compounds and pathways that offer scientific bases for the clinical application of BSTSD and paving the way for further experimental validation and therapeutic development.