Biomarkers and coptis chinensis activity for rituximab-resistant diffuse large B-cell lymphoma: Combination of bioinformatics analysis, network pharmacology and molecular docking

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Zhao, Qiuling | Huang, Shengqiang | Yang, Lin | Chen, Ting | Qiu, Xiuliang | Huang, Ruyi | Dong, Liangliang | Liu, Wenbin^*

Affiliations: Clinical Oncology School of Fujian Medical University, Fujian Cancer Hospital, Fuzhou, Fujian, China

Correspondence: [*] Corresponding author: Wenbin Liu, Clinical Oncology School of Fujian Medical University, Fujian Cancer Hospital, No. 420 Fuma Road, Fuzhou, Fujian, China. E-mail: WenbinLiu@fjzlhospital.com.

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Rituximab resistance is one of the great challenges in the treatment of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), but relevant biomarkers and signalling pathways remain to be identified. Coptis chinensis and its active ingredients have antitumour effects; thus, the potential bioactive compounds and mechanisms through which Coptis chinensis acts against rituximab-resistant DLBCL are worth exploring. OBJECTIVE: To elucidate the core genes involved in rituximab-resistant DLBCL and the potential therapeutic targets of candidate monomers of Coptis chinensis. METHODS: Using the Traditional Chinese Medicine System Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP), the Similarity Ensemble Approach and Swiss Target Prediction, the main ingredients and pharmacological targets of Coptis chinensis were identified through database searches. Through the overlap between the pharmacological targets of Coptis chinensis and the core targets of rituximab-resistant DLBCL, we identified the targets of Coptis chinensis against rituximab-resistant DLBCL and constructed an active compound-target interaction network. The targets and their corresponding active ingredients of Coptis chinensis against rituximab-resistant DLBCL were molecularly docked. RESULTS: Berberine, quercetin, epiberberine and palmatine, the active components of Coptis chinensis, have great potential for improving rituximab-resistant DLBCL via PIK3CG. CONCLUSION: This study revealed biomarkers and Coptis chinensis-associated molecular functions for rituximab-resistant DLBCL.

Keywords: Rituximab, resistance, differentially expressed genes, WGCNA, Coptis chinensis, network pharmacology

DOI: 10.3233/THC-230738

Journal: Technology and Health Care, vol. 32, no. 4, pp. 2091-2105, 2024