Exploring the effective components and mechanism of action of Sojae Semen Praeparatum against depressive disorder based on bioconfidence analysis

Depressive disorder is a mental disorder characterized by significant and persistent low mood and cognitive impairments such as memory loss. Sojae Semen Praeparatum (SSP), a traditional Chinese medicine capable of dual use in food for medicinal purposes, can significantly reduce the level of inflammatory factors, but it is not clear whether SSP contains a component that produces an ameliorative effect on depressive disorder by acting on the Tryptophan-Kynurenine pathway (TK pathway). This study aimed to explore the material basis and mechanism of action of the TK pathway, combined with raw letter analysis and molecular docking methods. Through database screening, target comparison, Gene Ontology (GO) annotation, protein-protein interaction analysis, molecular docking, and intermolecular force validation. Differential genes of 4588 clinical patients with depression were obtained through database screening, and 29 shared targets, such as the SKI protooncogene and PR domain-containing protein 16, were obtained by comparison with 295 targets in the existing disease database. Gene Ontology Annotation (GO annotation) and protein-protein interaction analysis using Metascape and String platforms revealed that they were mainly involved in biological processes, such as cell morphogenesis involved in neuron differentiation. Using molecular docking and intermolecular force validation, it was found that 10 components of tempeh, including caffeic acid, interacted with tryptophan, kynurenine, and ALG6 targets in the tryptophan-kynurenine signaling pathway through hydrogen bonding, hydrophobic interactions, and electrostatic interactions. It was determined that 10 ingredients, including caffeic acid in SSP, interact with tryptophan, kynurenine, and ALG6 targets through hydrogen bonding and other forces, thus producing relevant therapeutic effects.