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Network Pharmacology, 2017, 2(2): 38-66
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Network pharmacology of medicinal attributes and functions of Chinese herbal medicines: (II) Relational networks and pharmacological mechanisms of medicinal attributes and functions of Chinese herbal medicines

WenJun Zhang
School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China; International Academy of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Hong Kong

Received 3 April 2017;Accepted 22 April 2017;Published 1 June 2017
IAEES

Abstract
In present study, the database, CHM-DATA, with 1127 Chinese herbal medicines mainly having recorded chemical composition, involving 7 taste attributes, 5 medicinal properties, 1 toxicity attribute, 22 chemical composition categories, 12 meridians and collaterals (Gui Jing), and 78 medicinal functions (Gong Xiao), was used to calculate point correlations between these 125 attributes. Totally four relational networks, i.e., the networks for medicinal attributes and functions, for chemical composition and meridians and collaterals, for meridians and collaterals and medicinal functions, and for meridians and collaterals were constructed based on the significant point correlations. Network analysis indicated that the former three ones are scale-free complex networks and the last one tends to be a random network. Node degrees of the four networks follow power-law distribution. Detailed between-attribute relationships and medicinal mechanisms were revealed. For example, concerning chemical composition categories, alkaloids and amines have positive correlation / correspondence. More alkaloids correspond to more amines. Alkaloids negatively correlate with volatile oils / ordinary oils, carbohydrates / starch, ketones / flavonoids, and olefins. Alkaloids mainly function in decrease internal heat, dry dampness, etc. Organic acids and alkaloids have negative correlation. More organic acids mean the less alkaloids. Organic acids mainly act on large intestine meridians and collaterals, and function in moisten dryness. As for meridians and collaterals, kidney meridians and collaterals negatively correlate with lung meridians and collaterals, stomach meridians and collaterals, and large intestine meridians and collaterals. Kidney meridians and collaterals positively function in consolidate or warm kidney, invigorate male impotence (Yang) or strengthen male essence, strengthen bones and muscles, stop diarrheal, regulate menstruation or promote blood flow, relieve rheumatism or lubricate the joints, and negatively function in clear away heat, and detoxification.

Keywords Chinese herbal medicines;medicinal attributes;medicinal functions;networks;network analysis;pharmacological mechanisms.

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