Objective To explore the potential target and mechanism of Dengzhan Shengmai capsule (DZSM) in the treatment of coronary heart disease (CHD) based on network pharmacology and molecular docking technology.

Methods TCMSP and ETCM databases were employed to search the chemical components of DZSM. Swiss ADME database was used to screen active ingredients, and Swiss Target Prediction database was used to obtain potential targets of active ingredients. The CHD target was obtained by searching GeneCards and DisGeNET databases, and the DZSM-active ingredient-CHD target network was constructed. Molecular docking of key active ingredients and core targets was performed to verify binding properties. Gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG) enrichment analysis were performed in the DAVID database. A mouse macrophage cell line (RAW264.7 cells) model induced by oxidized low density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) was used to test the therapeutic effect of scutellarin on CHD in vitro. The production of nitric oxide (NO) in cell supernatant was measured by Griess reaction. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to detect the expression level of serine/threonine kinase (AKT); The expression and phosphorylation of AKT protein were detected by Western Blot.

Results A total of 56 active compounds of DZSM were obtained to regulate CHD progression by acting on 136 targets. Among them, kaempferol, quercetin, luteolin, apigenin, scutellarein, 6-hydroxykaempferol, scutellarin, nonylphenol, Ophiopogonin D, and Ginsenoside Rb1 could regulate 113 CHD targets. AKT1, SRC, PPARG, EGFR, ESR1, PTGS2, SIRT1, MAPK1, MMP9 and PPARA genes were the core targets of DZSM therapy for CHD. Molecular docking showed that the key active ingredients and core targets had good binding properties. The results of in vitro experiments showed that scutellarin could reduce the production of nitric oxide and increase the level of AKT, protein expression and phosphorylation in macrophages (P < 0.05). KEGG enrichment analysis showed that DZSM treated CHD mainly by regulating cancer pathways, endocrine resistance, AGE-RAGE signaling pathway in diabetic complications, fluid shear stress and atherosclerosis, lipid and atherosclerosis, and relaxin signaling pathway.

Conclusion DZSM plays a role in the treatment of CHD through multi-component, multi-target and multi-pathway.