Metabolomics and integrated network pharmacology analysis revealed multi-targeted anti-cancer effect of FuZhengXiaoJi Decoction against non-small cell lung cancer

Background and purpose : As a malignant tumor characterized by a dismal prognosis and a high mortality rate, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) presents significant challenges in contemporary treatment. These challenges include drug resistance and side effects, which severely hamper the effectiveness of current therapeutic strategies. An increasing number of herbal formulas have been utilized in antitumor therapy, owing to their cost-effectiveness, beneficial efficacy, and additional advantages. FuZhengXiaoJi Decoction (FZXJD), a cancer-treating formula, has been successfully applied in NSCLC clinical treatment, but the underlying mechanism remains elusive. Therefore, this paper integrated multiple analytical methods, including network pharmacology, metabolomics, biological approaches, and molecular docking to clarify how FZXJD suppresses NSCLC. Methods : This study assessed the anti-NSCLC efficacy of FZXJD using in vitro assays and lung cancer xenograft models, and the primary components and potential mechanisms of FZXJD inhibition of NSCLC were identified by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and network pharmacology. Subsequently, inhibitory mechanisms of FZXJD and its principal effector component oleanolic acid (OA) on NSCLC were explored by molecular docking, as well as biological experiments. Finally, effects of FZXJD on critical metabolic pathways in tumors were further investigated by metabolomics and metabolite enrichment analysis. Results : Inhibition of FZXJD on NSCLC cells was confirmed in vitro experiments. Correspondingly, in vivo experiments revealed that FZXJD impeded tumor progression without obvious toxic side effects. Network pharmacology and molecular docking disclosed that target genes involved in FZXJD’s inhibition of NSCLC were significantly enriched in the PI3K/AKT and ERK/MAPK signaling pathways. Additionally, 14 core genes (HSP90AA1, VEGFA, AKT1, JUN, EGFR, CASP3, ESR1, ERBB2, STAT3, MTOR, SRC, MDM2, CCND1, MAPK3) as well as the main component of the antitumor effect of FZXJD, the OA, were also identified. Biological experiments and molecular docking demonstrated that FZXJD and OA exerted antitumor effects by inhibiting two significant pathways, PI3K/AKT and ERK/MAPK. Metabolomics analysis indicated that FZXJD treatment suppressed glutathione metabolism in vivo. Conclusion FZXJD and its main active ingredient, OA, impede NSCLC progression by inhibiting PI3K/AKT and ERK/MAPK signaling pathways. FZXJD treatment also markedly attenuates glutathione metabolism. This research provides a promising strategy for the application of herbal formulas in NSCLC.