Exploring the Anti‐Inflammatory Mechanism of Boletus edulis Based on UPLC‐MS/MS Combined With Network Pharmacology, Molecular Docking, and Experimental Validation

To explore the material basis and mechanism of the anti-inflammatory compounds in Boletus edulis, its ethyl acetate extract was analyzed by UPLC-MS/MS. Moreover, the potential anti-inflammatory mechanism of B. edulis was investigated based on network pharmacology, molecular docking, and experimental validation. A total of 75 compounds were identified in the ethyl acetate extract from B. edulis (EEB). GO and KEGG enrichment indicated that the anti-inflammatory effects of B. edulis are associated with a variety of biological processes and signaling pathways. Molecular docking results demonstrated stable binding of key compounds to core targets primarily through hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interactions. In vitro anti-inflammatory experimental results showed that ethyl acetate extract from B. edulis significantly reduced intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and downregulated protein expression of IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α. These findings provide a new perspective on the anti-inflammatory mechanism of B. edulis.