Network pharmacology and experimental verification to explore the anti-inflammatory activities of triterpenoids from Siraitia grosvenorii

Siraitia grosvenorii (Swingle) C. Jeffrey (SG), a Chinese medicinal plant, exhibits promising anti-inflammatory properties. Based on previous reports, aglycone and mogrosides bearing lesser glucosyl groups may contribute to the bioactivity of SG in vivo. However, research has rarely been conducted to compare their activities and analyse the structure–activity relationship. In this study, the anti-inflammatory potency of triterpenoids from SG and possible mechanisms of action based on network pharmacology were investigated. Furthermore, eighteen triterpenoids were chosen to assess their anti-inflammatory activities and structure–activity relationship in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells, among which 11-oxo-mogrol performed the best. Western blotting and molecular docking identified that 11-oxo-mogrol could regulate the PI3K/AKT signalling pathway. These findings provide valuable insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying the anti-inflammatory properties of triterpenoids from SG and support their application as potential therapeutic agents for inflammatory diseases.