Study on the Use of CADD Virtual Screening to Identify Natural Products Targeting UCP2 for the Treatment of Gastric Cancer

Objective: This study aims to investigate the potential of natural compounds targeting UCP2 as a foundation for molecular targeted therapy in gastric cancer. Methods: We conducted a database analysis to assess UCP2 expression in tumors, examined the correlation between UCP2 expression levels and survival rates in gastric cancer patients, and explored the association between UCP2 expression and the tumor immune microenvironment in gastric cancer. Virtual screening and molecular docking techniques were employed to identify optimal natural products targeting UCP2. Results: UCP2 is overexpressed in gastric cancer, and this overexpression is associated with poor prognosis. Additionally, UCP2 expression influences the tumor immune microenvironment. Virtual screening identified that Anhydronotoptol, Naringenin chalcone, Paliperidone, Retinoic acid, β-Anhydroicaritin, and β-Naphthoflavone exhibit strong interactions with UCP2. Conclusion: Anhydronotoptol, Naringenin chalcone, Paliperidone, Retinoic acid, β-Anhydroicaritin, and β-Naphthoflavone may offer therapeutic benefits in gastric cancer by targeting UCP2.