Regulation of appetite-related neuropeptides by herbal medicines: research using microarray and network pharmacology

Anorexia means loss of appetite and is a state whereby a desire to eat is either reduced or eliminated resulting in reducing or stopping food intake. Sipjeondaebo-tang (SDT) and Hyangsayukgunja-tang (HYT) are prescriptions known to have appetite-improving effects, but studies on their mechanisms and active components are insufficient. The hypothalamus is the center of appetite control, and various appetite control mechanisms are known. We used mouse hypothalamic neuronal GT1-7 cells as appetite control center cells and analyzed the difference in efficacy between SDT and HYT using microarray and network pharmacology. Microarray analysis showed that SDT and HYT affect the regulation of genes related to appetite control in the digestive tract and central nervous system. Using network pharmacology, we analyzed the differential expression of neuropeptide Y receptors, glucagon, corticotropin-releasing hormone receptors 1, and 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor 4 among the 17 anorexia-related genes selected from the comparative toxicogenomics database and also analyzed the active components that affect gene expression. In conclusion, the appetite-related genes contributed to anorexia control, and the difference in the action mechanism of the two complex prescriptions could be explained.