Anti-Inflammatory Effects and Molecular Mechanisms of Shenmai Injection in Treating Acute Pancreatitis: Network Pharmacology Analysis and Experimental Verification

Abstract

Background: Acute pancreatitis (AP) is an inflammatory disorder of the exocrine pancreas without specific treatment. Shenmai injection (SMI) was reported to eliminate the severity of experimental AP. This study aimed to explore the mechanisms underlying the synergistic protective effects of SMI on AP based on network pharmacology and experimental validation. Methods: Network pharmacology analysis and molecular docking based on identified components were performed to construct the potential therapeutic targets and pathways. The principal components of SMI were detected via ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC-QTOF/MS). Effect of SMI and the identified components on cellular injury and IL6/STAT3 signaling was assessed on mouse pancreatic acinar cell line 266–6 cells. Finally, 4% sodium taurocholate (NaT) was used to induce AP model to assess the effects of SMI in treating AP and validate the potential molecular mechanisms. Results: By searching the TCMSP and ETCM databases, 119 candidate components of SMI were obtained. UHPLC-QTOF/MS analysis successfully determined the representative components of SMI: ginsenoside Rb1, ginsenoside Rg1, ginsenoside Re, and ophiopogonin D. Fifteen hub targets and eight related pathways were obtained to establish the main pharmacology network. Subnetwork analysis and molecular docking indicated that the effects of these four main SMI components were mostly related to the interleukin (IL) 6/STAT3 pathway. In vitro, SMI, ginsenoside Rb1, ginsenoside Rg1, ginsenoside Re, and ophiopogonin D increased the cell viability of NaT-stimulated mouse pancreatic acinar 266–6 cells and decreased IL6 and STAT3 expression. In vivo, 10 mL/kg SMI significantly alleviated the pancreatic histopathological changes and the expression of IL6 and STAT3 in the AP mice. Conclusion: This study demonstrated SMI may exert anti-inflammatory effects against AP by suppressing IL6/STAT3 activation, thus providing a basis for its potential use in clinical practice and further study in treating AP.