Investigating the effect of Icaritin on hepatocellular carcinoma based on network pharmacology

Zhong Xue; Fan Zhang; Shaohua Xu; Minyong Chen; Mingzuo Wang; Ming Wang; Fayong Ke; Zhaoshuo Chen; Mingji Zhang

doi:10.3389/fphar.2023.1208495

Investigating the effect of Icaritin on hepatocellular carcinoma based on network pharmacology

Front Pharmacol. 2023 May 30:14:1208495. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1208495. eCollection 2023.

Authors

Zhong Xue¹, Fan Zhang¹, Shaohua Xu¹, Minyong Chen¹, Mingzuo Wang¹, Ming Wang¹, Fayong Ke¹, Zhaoshuo Chen¹, Mingji Zhang¹

Affiliation

¹ Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Clinical Oncology School of Fujian Medical University, Fujian Cancer Hospital, Fuzhou, China.

Abstract

Hepatocellular carcinoma is one of the cancers that kill people in the global population. Icaritin, a small molecule drug approved by NMPA, has demonstrated potential anti-HCC effects. However, its underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear. We employed a multi-omics approach in this study, including pharmaco-omics and proteomics, to look into the Icaritin's possible molecular targets and workings in the therapy of HCC. Through pharmaco-omics analysis, we identified ten putative target genes of Icaritin, including FYN. The relationship between Icaritin and these target genes, particularly FYN, was further validated through in vitro and in vivo experiments. The outcomes revealed that Icaritin may exert its anti-HCC effects through modulating the FYN gene, highlighting the importance of multi-omics approaches in drug discovery research. This research gives valuable insights regarding the therapeutic potential of Icaritin against HCC and its possible molecular mechanisms.

Keywords: FYN gene; Icaritin; hepatocellular carcinoma; molecular mechanisms; multi-omics; pharmaco-omics; proteomics.

Grants and funding

This study was supported by the Joint Funds for the innovation of science and Technology, Fujian province (grant number 2021Y9217), and the Starup Fund scientific research, Fujian Medical University (grant number 2021QH1227 and 2021QH1152).