Network pharmacology predicted HDAC6 as a potential target of flavones from on hepatocellular carcinoma.

Nitsche, belongs to genus, has been reported to exert anti-tumor activities. Our previous study suggested that flavones from have significant inhibitory effects on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells. However, the potential target of this type flavone was still unknown. In this study, 74 flavonoids compounds of and 41 potential targets of HCC were analyzed by the network, the most potential target was histone deacetylase 6 (HDAC6). Considering the cytotoxicity, compound (Daphnegiravone D, DGD) was chosen for further confirmation. Molecular docking study revealed that DGD formed high binding affinity with HDAC6. Concomitantly, pharmacological studies indicated that DGD could inhibit the expression of HDAC6 and . In this study, network pharmacology along with experimental validation predicted and verified HDAC6 as one of potential targets of flavones, these investigations provide a new insight for further study of on HCC treatment.