Articles Vol. 67 No. 10 04/11/2026

NETWORK PHARMACOLOGY-BASED ANALYSIS OF THE PREDICTED THERAPEUTIC MECHANISMS OF YOUGUIWAN IN POLYCYSTIC OVARY SYNDROME

Nguyen Thi Huong, Nguyen Thi Thuy, Ngo Hien Linh, Hoang Thuy Hong
DOI: 10.52163/yhc.v67i10.6973
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Abstract

Objective: To investigate and predict the potential therapeutic mechanisms of Youguiwan in the treatment of PCOS using a network pharmacology approach.

Methods: Active compounds of Youguiwan were retrieved from TCMSP (OB ≥ 30%, DL ≥ 0.18) and BATMAN-TCM (score ≥ 20, p ≤ 0.05). Targets were standardized via UniProt. PCOS-related genes were obtained from GeneCards, OMIM, and DisGeNET. Intersecting targets were identified using Venn analysis. Compound–target and protein–protein interaction (PPI) networks were constructed in Cytoscape. KEGG pathway enrichment was performed using Metascape.

Results: A total of 207 active compounds, 536 compound-related targets of Youguiwan, and 1,683 PCOS-associated genes were obtained. Venn analysis yielded 195 intersecting targets as potential therapeutic targets. Key bioactive compounds included quercetin, kaempferol, β-sitosterol, and stigmasterol. Core PPI targets comprised TP53, AKT1, STAT3, IL6, TNF, ESR1, and INS. KEGG enrichment indicated involvement in PI3K-Akt, MAPK, TNF, HIF-1 signaling pathways, insulin resistance, and steroid hormone biosynthesis

Conclusion: Youguiwan may exert therapeutic effects on PCOS through a multi-component, multi-target, and multi-pathway mechanism associated with the regulation of insulin resistance, inflammation, metabolic dysfunction, and reproductive endocrine disorders. These findings provide a scientific basis for the application of Youguiwan in the treatment of PCOS.

Keywords
Youguiwan, polycystic ovary syndrome, network pharmacology, molecular mechanism, traditional medicine.
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