Network pharmacology and experimental validation reveals the potential therapeutic effects of Polygonum cuspidatum against odontogenic keratocyst

This study aimed to explore active ingredients in Polygonum cuspidatum with potential effects on odontogenic keratocysts (OKCs) using network pharmacological approach and bioinformatic gene analysis. The active ingredients and targets of P. cuspidatum were selected from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP) database, and the ingredient-target network was constructed using Cytoscape software. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) of OKC were selected and Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis were performed through bioinformatic analysis using Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) dataset GSE38494. The STRING database platform was used to draw protein-protein interaction network diagram, then the hub gene analysis was performed by Cytoscape software. AutoDock Vina software was used to perform molecular docking verification of the effects of the active ingredients on potential core targets. Finally, we use OKC nude animal model to testify the potential effects of P. cuspidatum. Ten active ingredients of P. cuspidatum were obtained. A total of 205 drug targets and 38 potential core targets of P. cuspidatum were confirmed in OKCs. The hub genes included PPARG, SPP1, COL3A1, MMP2, HMOX1, CCL2, CXCL10, VCAM1, RUNX2 and IRF1. Molecular docking showed that the key active ingredients including luteolin and quercetin which exhibited good docking activity with key target proteins (VCAM1, HMOX1 and MMP2). GO enrichment revealed that the pathways of P. cuspidatum acting on OKCs included the response to toxic substance, response to nutrient levels and response to xenobiotic stimulus. P. cuspidatum treatment in OKC could significantly down-regulate COL3A1 and MMP2 expressions in vivo and vitro. Our study indicated that P. cuspidatum is a potential therapeutic candidate for OKCs.