The anti-gastric cancer effect of Lycium barbarum polysaccharide associated with the network pharmacology mechanism

Background: This study aims to explore the genetic interactions and potential therapeutic targets of Lycium barbarum polysaccharide (LBP) for gastric cancer by employing comprehensive bioinformatics analyses. Methods: A multifaceted approach was utilized to investigate gene expression in gastric cancer. First, MeSH terms for "Gastric Cancer," "Gastric," and "Lycium barbarum polysaccharide" were searched via the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) to identify relevant genetic targets. The gene expression data were collected from GeneCards, PubMed, and other databases. A Venn diagram was constructed using the jvenn tool to visualize the overlap among genes in gastric tissue, gastric cancer, and LBP. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks were then constructed using data from GeneCards, Herb, TCMSP, and STRING databases. Networks were visualized in Cytoscape, and functional enrichment analyses, including Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways, were performed to identify significant biological processes. Results: The Venn diagram revealed 5,484 intersection targets between "Gastric" and "Gastric Cancer," with 46 unique targets for "Gastric Cancer" and 21 unique genes for LBP. Notably, 26 genes were shared across all categories, highlighting potential targets for LBP's therapeutic effects against gastric cancer. PPI network analysis identified key hub proteins such as TP53, JUN, CDKN2A, CASP3, AKT1, and BDNF. TP53, a crucial tumor suppressor, emerged as a major hub, interacting extensively within the network. JUN, CDKN2A, CASP3, and AKT1 also played significant roles in tumor suppression and cell cycle regulation, while BDNF was associated with neuroplasticity and neuronal growth. Peripheral proteins such as YAP1, ATF6, SIRT1, and ABCG2 were identified, contributing to various cellular functions. Conclusion: This study identifies key molecular targets for potential therapeutic intervention. The identified hub proteins and their interactions underscore the complex interconnectivity of gastric cancer pathogenesis and highlight LBP's potential role in modulating these networks, laying a solid foundation for future research and therapy development in gastric cancer.