Huiyan Ying,1 Weikaixin Kong,1,2 Xiangwei Xu3 

1Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland (FIMM), Hilife, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland; 2Department of Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, People’s Republic of China; 3Affiliated Yongkang First People’s Hospital and School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, People’s Republic of China

Correspondence: Xiangwei Xu, Yongkang First People’s Hospital and School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 321300, People’s Republic of China, Tel +86 15858830343, Email xuxiangwei@hmc.edu.cn Huiyan Ying, Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland (FIMM), HiLIFE, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, 00290, Finland, Tel +358 468489596, Email huiyan.ying@helsinki.fi

Background: TiaoShenGongJian (TSGJ) decoction, a traditional Chinese medicine for breast cancer, has unknown active compounds, targets, and mechanisms. This study identifies TSGJ’s key targets and compounds for breast cancer treatment through network pharmacology, machine learning, and experimental validation.
Methods: Bioactive components and targets of TSGJ were identified from the TCMSP database, and breast cancer-related targets from GeneCards, PharmGkb, and RNA-seq datasets. Intersection of these targets revealed therapeutic targets of TSGJ. PPI analysis was performed via STRING, and machine learning methods (SVM, RF, GLM, XGBoost) identified key targets, validated by GSE70905, GSE70947, GSE22820, and TCGA-BRCA datasets. Pathway analyses and molecular docking were performed. TSGJ and core compounds’ effectiveness was confirmed by MTT and RT-qPCR assays.
Results: 160 common targets of TSGJ were identified, with 30 hub targets from PPI analysis. Five predictive targets (HIF1A, CASP8, FOS, EGFR, PPARG) were screened via SVM. Their diagnostic, biomarker, immune, and clinical values were validated. Quercetin, luteolin, and baicalein were identified as core components. Molecular docking confirmed their strong affinities with predicted targets. These compounds modulated key targets and induced cytotoxicity in breast cancer cell lines in a similar way as TSGJ.
Conclusion: This study reveals the main active components and targets of TSGJ against breast cancer, supporting its potential for breast cancer prevention and treatment.

Keywords: TiaoShenGongJian decoction, traditional Chinese medicine, breast cancer, network pharmacology, machine learning, molecular mechanisms