Exploring the efficacy of Wenshentiaojing decoction in PCOS: Network pharmacology and mouse model insights

Background Wenshentiaojing Decoction (WSTJD), a traditional Chinese herbal prescription, was first recorded in the “Ye Tianshi female department secret recipe for diagnosis and treatment ”. It has been proven effective in treating polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). However, the active ingredients and molecular mechanism of WSTJD against PCOS remain unclear. Aim of the study To explore the therapeutic effect and molecular mechanism of WSTJD against PCOS by using network pharmacology and mouse model. Materials and methods Network pharmacology were used to predict active ingredients, potential targets, and pathways of WSTJD against PCOS. Female mice were injected subcutaneously with DHEA (6 mg/100 g body weight) daily to establish a PCOS model and administered with WSTJD and quercetin to observe its therapeutic effect. Thereafter, mouse phenotypes, indicators related to oxidative stress and ferroptosis, and hub genes were determined. Results We identified 144 potential targets for WSTJD in the treatment of PCOS, which were enriched in immune-related signaling pathways such as reactive oxygen species, TNF and IL-17 signaling pathway. Thirteen hub genes were identified by proteinprotein interaction network (PPI) and algorithmic analysis, all of which were oxidative stress-related genes, and five of which, IL6, PTGS2, HIF1A, MTOR and EGFR, were ferroptosis-related genes. Further analysis revealed that quercetin was a key ingredient for WSTJD and that it had superior binding effects with the hub genes. Moreover, WSTJD and quercetin could significantly depress oxidative stress-related indicators and ferroptosis-related gene expression in PCOS mice. Finally, mouse models showed that the expression of the hub genes were consistent with the analysis results. Conclusions WSTJD and quercetin alleviated PCOS by suppressing oxidative stress and ferroptosis. Quercetin was the key ingredient for WSTJD against PCOS.