Exploring the Therapeutic Potential of Ginseng in Diabetic Retinopathy: A Network Pharmacology and Molecular Docking Study

Diabetic retinopathy (DR), a major cause of vision impairment, results from hyperglycemia-induced retinal microvascular damage. Current therapies mainly address symptoms rather than underlying mechanisms. Ginseng, a traditional medicinal herb with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, may offer therapeutic benefits for DR. This study employed network pharmacology to identify bioactive compounds in ginseng and their potential molecular targets associated with DR. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses revealed significant enrichment in inflammation- and oxidative stress-related pathways, particularly the advanced glycation end product (AGE)-RAGE signaling pathway. A protein-protein interaction (PPI) network identified key targets, and molecular docking and dynamics simulations confirmed strong binding affinities between ginseng compounds and DR-related proteins. These findings suggest ginseng may modulate critical pathways involved in DR progression, offering potential as a natural therapeutic agent.