Prediction of the Mechanism of Shaoyao Gancao Decoction in the Treatment of Alopecia Areata by Network Pharmacology and Its Preliminary Verification Study

The study investigated the mechanism of Shaoyao Gancao Decoction (SGD) in treating alopecia areata (AA) using network pharmacology and preliminary verification through animal experiments. Researchers identified 102 active ingredients in SGD and constructed a bioinformatics network to predict key targets and pathways, highlighting genes such as IL-6, PTGS2, and TNF. The study involved 30 female C57BL/6J mice, with results indicating that SGD could regulate immune responses and upregulate PI3K and AKT protein expression, supporting its potential therapeutic effects. However, the study emphasized the need for further research to confirm these findings and deepen understanding of SGD's mechanisms in AA treatment.