Bioinformatics-based exploration of potential mechanisms and prediction of herbal medicines for psoriasis-associated obesity

Objective Using bioinformatics methods to explore the core targets and important pathways in and potential therapeutic herbs for psoriasis-associated obesity. Methods OMIM, GeneCards, DisGeNET, and TTD databases were used to identify the common targets of the two diseases, and the core common targets were identified by Cytoscape. The core targets were analyzed by GO and KEGG to elucidate the related biological processes. Finally, the Coremine Medical database was used to predict the related Chinese medicines that regulate the core targets. Results A total of 13 core targets (IL-6, STAT3, TNF, IL-1B, IL-10, IFNG, CCL2, ICAM1, TLR4, TP53, CRP, PPARG, TYK2) were identified as intersecting core targets in obesity associated with psoriasis. Enrichment analysis showed that the main biological processes of these targets were involved the STAT receptor signaling pathway and IL-8 synthesis and regulation, etc. KEGG analysis showed that these genes were mainly involved in inflammatory bowel disease and pathways linked to lipid and atherosclerosis. The prediction results showed that multiple traditional Chinese medicines such as turmeric, ginseng, salvia miltiorrhiza, magnolia, lingzhi, and coptis had potential therapeutic effects. The main effects of these drugs were regulation of the spleen, stomach, lung and other meridians, resulting in activation of blood circulation and removal of blood stasis, tonifying qi, and dispelling dampness. Conclusions Psoriasis and obesity share 13 common core target genes, which are associated with persistent inflammation and vascular changes. The predicted traditional Chinese medicine provides a basis for its utility in the treatment of psoriasis with obesity.