Work

Innovative Application of Medicinal Insects: Employing UHPLC-MS, Bioinformatics, In Silico Studies and In Vitro Experiments to Elucidate the Multi-Target Hemostatic Mechanism of Glenea cantor (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) Charcoal-Based Medicine

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Background: Longhorn beetles, a widely recognized group of Chinese traditional medicinal insects, are characterized by their notable hemostatic properties. However, the comprehensive understanding of their medicinal potential has been hindered by the limitations of current research methodologies. Methods: This study focuses on the species Glenea cantor (Fabricius), which can produce several generations per year, and introduces a novel method using microwave carbonization techniques. By employing an in vitro coagulation test, UHPLC-MS, network pharmacology, molecular docking, and molecular dynamics simulation, the hemostatic efficacy and mechanism of action of Glenea cantor charcoal medicine (GC-CM) were thoroughly studied. Results: In vitro coagulation tests showed that GC-CM significantly reduced the activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) and prothrombin time (PT), indicating its ability to enhance the coagulation cascade and preliminarily confirming its hemostatic efficacy (p < 0.01 vs. blank control group). The analysis revealed that GC-CM comprises 453 components, including 137 bioactive components with high human utilization. After predictions via databases such as SwissTargetPrediction and deduplication, 215 targets linked to hemostatic specificity were identified. These targets regulate signaling pathways such as platelet activation, complement and coagulation cascades, and cGMP-PKG. Molecular docking demonstrated strong affinities between key targets such as SRC and PIK3R1 and compounds such as 2′,6′-dihydroxy 4′-methoxydihydrochalcone, and 1-monolinoleoyl-rac-glycerol (binding energy < −5 kcal/mol). Molecular dynamics simulations show good binding capacity between core components and targets Conclusions: The aim of this study was to elucidate the material basis and mechanism of the hemostatic efficacy of GC-CM, offering a model for exploring other insect-based medicinal resources.

Source: Pharmaceuticals

DOI: 10.3390/ph18040479