Exploring the key mechanism of puerarin in treating stomach tumors based on network pharmacology

Objective: Gastric cancer (GC), the fourth most common cancer worldwide and the second leading cause of cancer-related mortality, pose a significant public health threat due to major risk factors such as Helicobacter pylori infection, unhealthy dietary habits, smoking, and genetic predisposition, compounded by the asymptomatic nature of early-stage disease and the limited efficacy of late-stage treatments. Methods: Key active components and potential molecular targets of puerarin were identified through systematic database analysis. The biotransformation of puerarin and its complex interaction pathways within the human body were elucidated. A drug-gene-protein interaction network model was constructed to examine the intricate relationships between puerarin and gastric tumor-associated biomolecules. Results: Ten key molecular targets were identified, including AKT serine/threonine kinase 1 (AKT1), interleukin 6 (IL6), and caspase 3 (CASP3). Experimental findings revealed that puerarin inhibits gastric tumor cell proliferation and invasion, induces apoptosis, modulates immune responses, and suppresses tumor angiogenesis through multiple pathways. These findings underscore puerarin’s potential as a therapeutic agent for gastric tumors. Conclusions: This study highlights puerarin’s potential in gastric tumor treatment by targeting multiple pathways, including tumor suppression, immune regulation, and angiogenesis inhibition. The findings provide theoretical insights and practical guidance for developing novel therapeutic strategies while demonstrating the efficacy of network pharmacology in drug discovery and treatment development. Keywords: Gastric tumors; puerarin; network pharmacology