Exploring the mechanism of acupuncture for ulcerative colitis based on network pharmacology techniques

Objective: To explore the potential mechanism of action of acupuncture for ulcerative colitis using network pharmacology. Methods: Firstly, genes with |log2FC|>1 and (-log10(PValue))>1.3 were screened from the GEO database as potential targets for acupuncture in the treatment of ulcerative colitis. Subsequently, targets related to ulcerative colitis were collected in the DisGeNET disease database, finally, the intersections of potential targets of acupuncture for ulcerative colitis and disease targets of ulcerative colitis were obtained to obtain the key targets of acupuncture for ulcerative colitis, and the key targets were GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis was performed. Results: A total of 9452 potential targets for acupuncture treatment of ulcerative colitis, 1458 targets for ulcerative colitis and 55 key targets were obtained. The key targets were analyzed for GO and KEGG enrichment, and the most significant GO entries and key pathways were obtained for targets enriched in cellular components, molecular functions and biological processes. Conclusion: This study found that acupuncture may treat ulcerative colitis by activating TNF signaling pathway, NF-kappa B signaling pathway, and Cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction in ulcerative colitis.