Exploring the Mechanism of <i>Anemarrhena asphodeloides</i> in the Treatment of Osteoporosis Based on Network Pharmacology, Molecular Docking, and Mendelian Randomization

<b>Context:</b> Osteoporosis is a systemic bone disease characterized by reduced bone density and quality. <i>Anemarrhena asphodeloides</i> shows therapeutic potential, but its mechanisms remain unclear. <b>Objective:</b> The aim of this study is to elucidate the potential mechanisms of <i>Anemarrhena asphodeloides</i> in the treatment of osteoporosis based on a combination of bioinformatics and experimental approaches. <b>Materials and Methods:</b> <i>Anemarrhena asphodeloides</i>' targets were sourced from TCMSP, while osteoporosis-related genes came from GeneCards and OMIM. Overlapping targets (253) were analyzed via GO/KEGG. A PPI network (STRING/Cytoscape) identified core targets (degree > 5). Mendelian randomization integrated GWAS data, and molecular docking validated results. <b>Results:</b> Two hundred fifty-three "drug-disease" intersection targets were obtained through screening. Five positive genes were obtained by Mendelian randomization, and the molecular docking results of key targets and core active ingredients were satisfactory. <b>Discussion and Conclusion:</b> <i>Anemarrhena asphodeloides</i> contains multiple active ingredients, which may exert therapeutic effects on osteoporosis by regulating targets such as AKR1C1, AKR1C2, ABCC1, SMO, and AKT1 and key signaling pathways like PI3K-Akt and VEGF, thereby providing theoretical support for the clinical use of <i>Anemarrhena asphodeloides</i> in the treatment of osteoporosis.