Network Pharmacology and Experimental Validation of the Ameliorative Effect of Rosa rugosa Essential Oil on Scopolamine‐Induced Cognitive Dysfunction in Mice

ABSTRACT In this study, common targets of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and the main components of Rosa rugosa essential oil (RrEO) were collected from databases including GeneCards, PubChem and STRING. Protein–protein interaction (PPI) networks were constructed, followed by GO functional enrichment analysis and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis using DAVID and Metascape databases. The enrichment results were further validated in a scopolamine (SCO)‐induced cognitive impairment mouse model through olfactory inhalation administration of RrEO. Network pharmacology analysis revealed 201 potential therapeutic targets of RrEO, among which AKT1, TNF, and BCL2 were identified as core targets, closely associated with oxidative stress, neuronal and lipid metabolism, brain neurotransmitter systems, and cytoprotection. Animal experiments demonstrated that RrEO improved cognitive behaviour in mice, reduced central cholinergic neuronal damage and oxidative stress in the brain, increased the levels of monoamine neurotransmitters dopamine and 5‐hydroxytryptamine (5‐HT), preserved neuronal cell structure, and decreased cell apoptosis. These experimental findings further corroborated the results obtained from the network pharmacology analysis of RrEO.