Exploring the target points and mechanisms of Compound Danshen Dripping Pills in treating diabetic nephropathy based on network pharmacology and molecular docking technology

Diabetic nephropathy is a formidable complication arising from diabetes. Compound Danshen Dripping Pills (CDDP) has demonstrated remarkable efficacy in managing diabetic retinopathy. Our study integrates network pharmacology and molecular docking methodologies to explore the therapeutic targets and mechanisms of CDDP in diabetic nephropathy. We systematically retrieved compounds and their corresponding target molecules associated with CDDP from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology (TCMSP) and UniProt databases. Our exhaustive analysis revealed 76 bioactive compounds and 203 potential targets for CDDP. Through meticulous Protein-Protein Interaction network analysis, we narrowed down on ten pivotal targets central to the therapeutic effects. Functional assessments illuminated the multifaceted impact of CDDP on metabolic homeostasis, inflammatory responses, oxidative stress modulation, and apoptotic regulation, implicating pathways such as lipid metabolism, atherosclerotic processes, and Advanced Glycation End-products receptor for Advanced Glycation End-products (AGE-RAGE) signaling cascade. Molecular docking assays further substantiated these findings by demonstrating a robust binding affinity between the bioactive constituents and their respective molecular targets. In conclusions, this study forecasts the complex interplay of components, therapeutic targets, and modulated pathways involved in CDDP's therapeutic intervention in diabetic nephropathy.