Objective

2

To analyze the acupoint selection patterns and core prescriptions of acupuncture for polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) using data mining

and to explore the molecular mechanisms of core acupoints through network acupuncture medicine.

Methods

2

The randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on acupuncture for PCOS published from January 1

2004 to July 21

2024 were retrieved from CNKI

VIP

Wanfang

PubMed

and Web of Science databases. R software (version 4.4.0) was used for acupoint frequency and association rule analysis to identify core acupoint prescriptions. Potential targets were predicted via the STITCH and Swiss Target Prediction databases

and a "core prescription-active compounds-targets- PCOS" network was constructed. Cytoscape 3.7.1 was applied to build protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks of potential targets of core acupoint prescriptions. Key therapeutic targets were subjected to gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses using the DAVID and Microbioinformatics platforms.

Results

2

A total of 176 RCTs were included

covering 208 prescriptions and 89 acupoints. The five most frequently used acupoints were Guanyuan (CV4)

Sanyinjiao (SP6)

Zigong (EX-CA1)

Zusanli (ST36) and Zhongji (CV3). Association rule analysis yielded 13 core acupoint combinations

with Guanyuan (CV4)

Sanyinjiao (SP6)

Zigong (EX-CA1) and Zusanli (ST36) as the core prescription. Twenty-seven active compounds were involved

with 852 potential therapeutic targets

among which 208 targets overlapped with PCOS-related targets. Network acupuncture medicine analysis suggested that the core prescription may act through targets such as estrogen receptor 1 (ESR1)

proto-oncogene tyrosine-protein kinase Src (SRC)

signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3)

peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARG)

and RAC-alpha serine/threonine-protein kinase (AKT1). GO and KEGG analyses indicated that the main pathways included the hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1) signaling pathway

phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-protein kinase B (PI3K-AKT) signaling pathway

and advanced glycation end products-receptor for advanced glycation end products (AGE-RAGE) signaling pathway

involving processes such as signal transduction

receptor complex formation

and cytokine activity.

Conclusion

2

The core acupoint prescription for PCOS might exert therapeutic effects through multiple targets and pathways

providing a theoretical basis for mechanistic research on acupoint prescriptions.