Identification of molecular mechanism of the anti-lung cancer effect of Jin Ning Fang using network pharmacology and its experimental verification

Jin Ning Fang (JNF), a classic Chinese medicine formula, is widely used to treat lung cancer. However, its molecular mechanism remains unclear. Thus, we aimed explore the pharmacological mechanisms of JNF against targets and cancer-related genes were derived from public databases. Key compounds, potential therapeutic targets, pathways determined via bioinformatics analyses. Further, docking, in vitro experiments, real-time PCR performed verify findings. A total 27 active compounds 25 selected. Pharmacological network revealed that quercetin, calcium carbonate, beta-sitosterol might be candidate agents; ESR1, AR, AKT1, FDPS, PIM1, VCAM1, SLC29A1, NQO1, ANPEP could drug targets. These involved apoptosis pathway. Docking analysis showed combined well with ESR1. In experiments confirmed inhibit proliferation promote A549 cells. treatment inhibited level while increased AR ANPEP. This study illuminated exerts anti-lung cancer effects through regulating multiple pathways, identified may as for