The anti-atherosclerosis potential of sea buckthorn berries through immunity regulation

• PIK3CG, MYLK, FABP5, PTGS1, and SYK were identified as key targets of sea buckthorn berries against AS. • Myricetin is a principal active compound for sea buckthorn berry's anti-atherosclerotic effects. • Sea buckthorn berries and its key active component, myricetin, inhibit atherosclerosis progression through immune regulation by targeting PTGS1 and SYK. This study aims to explore the anti-atherosclerosis effect and mechanism of sea buckthorn berries based on the concept of "food-medicine holomogy". It seeks to identify key targets and pathways involved in the anti-atherosclerotic effects of sea buckthorn berries, as well as to highlight its dietary value in preventing atherosclerosis. Network pharmacology and co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) were employed to identify key targets of sea buckthorn berries against atherosclerosis (AS). Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) was used to reveal the significant immune regulatory effects in AS-related immune inflammation. Then, molecular docking analysis can evaluate the most strongly regulated target of sea buckthorn berries components. Finally, in vitro experiments were conducted to confirm the inhibitory effects of sea buckthorn berries on the inflammatory response of AS and their regulation of the target gene. PIK3CG, MYLK, FABP5, PTGS1, and SYK were identified as key targets of sea buckthorn berries against AS, mainly enriched in immune regulation. GSEA revealed significant immune regulatory effects of MYLK, FABP5, PTGS1, and SYK, with SYK being the core regulatory gene in AS-related immune inflammation. The immune regulatory pathways primarily involved NOD-like receptor signaling, Toll-like receptors, and B/T cell receptor signaling. PTGS1 was indicated to be the most strongly regulated target of sea buckthorn berries components. Myricetin was found to bind to all five important target genes. Both sea buckthorn berries and myricetin significantly inhibited the inflammatory response of AS and regulated the mRNA expression of ptgs1 and syk. This study establishes a theoretical foundation for the role of sea buckthorn in atherosclerosis prevention and emphasizes its dietary value. The findings suggest that sea buckthorn berries and its key active component, myricetin, inhibit atherosclerosis progression through immune regulation by targeting PTGS1 and SYK.