Network pharmacology-based strategy to explore the molecular mechanisms of Eucommia ulmoides Oliv. for treating immune dysregulation

To elucidate the molecular mechanisms of Eucommia ulmoides Oliv. for treating immune dysregulation. (EUO) for the treatment of immune dysregulation (ID) using a network pharmacology-based strategy. The active ingredients of EUO and their targets were identified using multiple databases (TCMSP, ETCM 2.0, SymMap, and TCM-ID). The targets associated with ID were sourced from the OMIM, GeneCards, CTD, and NCBI gene databases. Overlapping targets were identified using Venny 2.1, and a protein–protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed using STRING and analyzed using Cytoscape software. GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analyses were performed, and molecular docking was conducted to validate binding affinities. 110 overlapping targets of EUO and ID were identified. PPI network analysis revealed 110 overlapping targets, with six hub targets: TP53, AKT1, EGFR, CTNNB1, IL6, and TNF. GO and KEGG analyses highlighted critical biological processes and the “Lipid and atherosclerosis” pathway as the core pathway. The core pathway included four of the six hub targets, and these genes, including TP53, AKT1, IL6, and TNF, were defined as core targets. Molecular docking confirmed the high binding affinities of core compounds, such as Quercetin, Kaempferol, and Beta-carotene, to core targets. Quercetin, Kaempferol, and Beta-carotene derived from EUO are likely the core components for treating ID. These components modulate the progression of ID by targeting TP53, AKT1, IL6, and TNF within the “Lipid and atherosclerosis” pathway. This study provides a comprehensive understanding of EUO’s immunomodulatory effects of EUO, highlighting its potential as a safe therapeutic option for ID.