4D-DIA proteomics analysis revealed the network pharmacological mechanism of Astragaloside IV for the treatment of diabetic retinopathy

To investigate the protective mechanism of Astragaloside IV (AS-IV) in diabetic retinopathy(DR).A streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat model was established and divided in to three groups: control, DR, and DR + AS-IV. Retinal injury was assessed using optical coherence tomography (OCT). Retinal proteomes were profiled using 4D-DIA proteomics. Candidate genes were validated using quantitative PCR (qPCR).302 differentially expressed proteins were detected. Venn diagram analysis revealed three down-regulated proteins in the DR group: Gnal, Dennd1a, and Snx13, and two up-regulated proteins: Ogn and Mylpf. AS-IV treatment reversed the expression of Dennd1a and Gnal while downregulating Ogn, Mylpf, and Snx13. PPI analysis revealed limited direct connectivity among the five proteins but identified 10 additional interactors, including MYLK, ADCY9, and RAB35. GO analysis indicated involvement in muscle contraction, muscle myosin complex, and phosphatidylinositol phosphate binding and structural molecule activity. KEGG analysis highlighted calcium signalling as a key pathway. Molecular docking demonstrated stable interactions between AS-IV and Dennd1a, Ogn, and Snx13 proteins. qPCR confirmed significant regulation of Dennd1a and Ogn, while Snx13 and Mylpf changes were not significant.AS-IV exhibited protective effects against diabetic retinal injury by modulating Dennd1a and Ogn, implicating calcium signalling and structural pathways in its therapeutic mechanism.