Network pharmacological analysis of drug-drug interactions between glimepiride and phytochemicals in chandraprabha vati: Identifying common targets and molecular mechanism

Network pharmacology is a multi-target drug discovery approach that explores interactions between drugs and biological networks. It has been instrumental in understanding the therapeutic mechanisms of herbal medicines, particularly for complex diseases like diabetes. Chandraprabha Vati, a classical Ayurvedic formulation, contains 37 ingredients, many of which have demonstrated antidiabetic effects. This study aims to investigate the interaction between Chandraprabha Vati’s phytochemicals and Glimepiride, an antidiabetic drug. The bioactive components of Chandraprabha Vati were selected using IMPPAT. Swiss ADME was employed for pharmacokinetic predictions, and Way2Drug predicted drug-drug interactions. Protein-protein interactions (PPI) were constructed using the STRING database, and network analysis was performed in Cytoscape. Gene ontology and KEGG enrichment analyses were conducted using the DAVID database. Pharmacokinetic analysis identified 11 key phytochemicals, with varying effects on CYP2C9, the enzyme involved in Glimepiride metabolism. Target overlap analysis revealed 34 common hub genes between Glimepiride and the phytochemicals, including EGFR, ESR1, PIK3CA, CYP2C9, and SRC. These genes are implicated in drug-drug interactions, with EGFR emerging as a key player. Phytochemicals in Chandraprabha Vati, particularly 20-Hydroxypregn-4-en-3-one, Beta-caryophyllene, and Stigmasterol, may interact with Glimepiride by inhibiting CYP2C9. This could alter Glimepiride metabolism, increasing the risk of adverse effects. Further clinical studies are needed to confirm these findings and guide safe co-administration.