Exploring the Mechanism of Anemarrhena asphodeloides in the Treatment of Osteoporosis Based on Network Pharmacology, Molecular Docking, and Mendelian Randomization.

Abstract

Context: Osteoporosis is a systemic bone disease characterized by reduced bone density and quality. Anemarrhena asphodeloides shows therapeutic potential, but its mechanisms remain unclear. Objective: The aim of this study is to elucidate the potential mechanisms of Anemarrhena asphodeloides in the treatment of osteoporosis based on a combination of bioinformatics and experimental approaches. Materials and Methods: Anemarrhena asphodeloides' targets were sourced from TCMSP, while osteoporosis-related genes came from GeneCards and OMIM. Overlapping targets (253) were analyzed via GO/KEGG. A PPI network (STRING/Cytoscape) identified core targets (degree > 5). Mendelian randomization integrated GWAS data, and molecular docking validated results. Results: Two hundred fifty-three "drug-disease" intersection targets were obtained through screening. Five positive genes were obtained by Mendelian randomization, and the molecular docking results of key targets and core active ingredients were satisfactory. Discussion and Conclusion: Anemarrhena asphodeloides contains multiple active ingredients, which may exert therapeutic effects on osteoporosis by regulating targets such as AKR1C1, AKR1C2, ABCC1, SMO, and AKT1 and key signaling pathways like PI3K-Akt and VEGF, thereby providing theoretical support for the clinical use of Anemarrhena asphodeloides in the treatment of osteoporosis.