Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40783635›Full record

ArticleCell biochemistry and biophysics2025

Deciphering the Therapeutic Mechanisms of Wuzi Yanzong Pill for Asthenozoospermia: A Synergistic Approach Combining Bioinformatics and Molecular Dynamics.

Zi-Hao Liu, Shuang-Yang Li, Bi-Jun Li, Fan Zhang, Xiang-Guang Li, Xuan Li, Jie Zheng

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Article in Cell biochemistry and biophysics, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

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Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Zi-Hao LiuDepartment of Pharmaceutical Engineering, School of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, PR China.
Shuang-Yang LiDepartment of Pharmaceutical Engineering, School of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, PR China.
Bi-Jun LiDepartment of Pharmaceutical Engineering, School of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, PR China.
Fan ZhangDepartment of Pharmaceutical Engineering, School of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, PR China.
Xiang-Guang LiDepartment of Pharmaceutical Engineering, School of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, PR China.
Xuan LiDepartment of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tenth Affiliated Hospital, Southern Medical University (Dongguan People's Hospital), Dongguan, Guangdong, PR China.
Jie ZhengDepartment of Pharmaceutical Engineering, School of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, PR China. jiezheng@gdut.edu.cn.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Wuzi Yanzong Pill (WZYZP) is a traditional Chinese medicine formula extensively used in China to treat male reproductive dysfunction, with a specific focus on invigorating the kidney. Despite its observed efficacy, the exact mechanisms and therapeutic targets remain unclear. The primary goal of this study is to elucidate the potential molecular targets and underlying mechanisms of WZYZP in the treatment of asthenozoospermia (AZS). It will be achieved through the integration of network pharmacology and bioinformatics analyses in a comprehensive and systematic approach. This study employed bioinformatics analysis and network pharmacology methodologies, encompassing: construction of protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks; development of 'Ingredients-Potential Target Genes-Signaling Pathways' (IPS) networks; Gene Ontology (GO) functional annotation and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis; differential gene analysis; molecular docking; and molecular dynamics simulations (MDS). Through network pharmacology analysis, we identified 485 potential targets of WZYZP. Cross-referencing with disease databases resulted in 57 intersecting targets pertinent to both WZYZP and AZS. Construction of the IPS network further determined eight core candidate targets: PIK3R1, MAPK3, GSK3B, AKT1, MAPK14, ESR1, ESR2, and CYP17A1. GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analyses highlighted significant involvement in prolactin signaling, endocrine resistance, and estrogen signaling pathways. Molecular docking and MDS confirmed stable binding of WZYZP components to all eight core targets. Our findings suggest that WZYZP may exert therapeutic effects in AZS by targeting eight pivotal genes (PIK3R1, MAPK3, GSK3B, AKT1, MAPK14, ESR1, ESR2, and CYP17A1). This is achieved through modulation of prolactin signaling, estrogen signaling, and endocrine resistance, thereby inhibiting inflammatory damage, antagonizing apoptotic signaling, maintaining hormonal homeostasis, and restoring metabolic imbalance.

Indexed as

AsthenozoospermiaComputational BiologyDrugs, Chinese HerbalMolecular Dynamics SimulationGene OntologyHumansMaleMolecular Docking SimulationNetwork PharmacologyProtein Interaction MapsSignal TransductionSteroid 17-alpha-HydroxylaseDrugs, Chinese HerbalSteroid 17-alpha-Hydroxylasewuzi yanzongAsthenozoospermiaMolecular dynamicsNetwork pharmacologyWuzi Yanzong pill

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.