Exploring the mechanism of Isoforskolin against asthma based on network pharmacology and experimental verification

Objective: In this study, network pharmacology combined with biological experimental verification was utilized to screen the targets of Isoforskolin (ISOF) and investigate the potential underlying mechanism of ISOF acting on asthma. Methods: Asthma-related targets were screened from the Genecards and DisGeNET databases. SEA and Super-PRED databases were used to obtain the targets of ISOF. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis were employed to identify key targets and enriched regulatory pathways of ISOF acting on asthma. Then, a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed via STRING database and hub genes of ISOF against asthma were further screened using molecular docking. Finally, CCK-8, qPCR, and western blotting were performed to assess the targets of ISOF in treating asthma. Results: A total of 96 drug-related-disease targets from the relevant databases were screened out. KEGG pathway enrichment analysis predicted that the target genes might be involved in the PI3K-Akt pathway. The core targets of ISOF in treating asthma were identified by the PPI network and molecular docking, including MAPK1, mTOR, and NFKB1. Consistently, in vitro experiments showed that ISOF acting on asthma was involved in inflammatory response by reducing the expression of MAPK1, mTOR, and NFKB1. Conclusions: The present study reveals that MAPK1, mTOR, and NFKB1 might be key targets of Isoforskolin in asthma treatment and the anti-asthma effect might be related to the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway.