Title:Network Analysis of Anti-inflammatory Phytochemicals and Omics Data
for Rheumatoid Arthritis
Volume: 19
Issue: 5
Author(s): Bharathi Nathan*, Archana Prabahar and Sudheer Mohammed
Affiliation:
- Department of Plant Molecular Biology and Bioinformatics, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, Tamil
Nadu, India
Keywords:
Network analysis, anti-inflammatory phytochemicals, omics data for rheumatoid, arthritis network analysis, omics data for rheumatoid arthritis, autoimmune disease.
Abstract:
Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an inflammatory autoimmune disease that
affects the synovial joints. Nearly 1.6 billion patients are affected by RA worldwide and the incidence
of RA is about 0.5 to 1%. Recent studies reveal that immune cell responses and secretion of
inflammatory factors are important for the control of RA.
Methods: In this study, a set of 402 phytochemicals with anti-inflammatory properties and 16 target
proteins related to anti-inflammatory diseases were identified from the literature and they were
subjected to network analysis. The protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed using
STRING (Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes database) database. Visualization
of the target gene-phytochemical network and its protein-protein interaction network was conducted
using Cytoscape and further analyzed using MCODE (Molecular Complex Detection). The
gene ontology and KEGG pathway analysis was performed using DAVID tool.
Results: Our results from the network approach indicate that the phytochemicals such as Withanolide,
Diosgenin, and Butulin could act as potential substitute for anti-inflammatory drugs, including
DMARDs. Genes such as Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and Interleukin were found as hub
genes and acted as best inhibitors for the target protein pathways. Curcumin, Catechin was also found to
be involved in various signaling pathways such as NF-kappa B signaling pathway, ErbB signaling
pathway and acted as the best inhibitor along with other candidate phytochemicals.
Conclusion: In the current study, we were able to identify Withanolide, Diosgenin, and Butulin as
potential anti-inflammatory phytochemicals and determine their association with key pathways
involved in RA through network analysis. We hypothesized that natural compounds could significantly
contribute to the reduction of dosage, improve the treatment and act as a therapeutic agent
for more economical and safer treatment of RA.
