Integrative UHPLC-HRMS and computational biology reveal ferroptosis and anoikis targeting by Wenpitongluo decoction in cardiorenal syndrome.

Background: The Wenpitongluo Decoction (WPTLD) was a classical herbal formula composed of medicinal herbs with both edible and therapeutic properties. It demonstrated clinical efficacy in treating Cardiorenal Syndrome (CRS), though its mechanism of action remained unclear. Although inflammatory and oxidative stress pathways in CRS have been intensively studied, the roles of ferroptosis and anoikis, which may be activated by these pathways, have received little attention.

Methods: First, the active components of WPTLD were obtained through the TCMSP and Herb databases, and then identified using UHPLC-HRMS. Subsequently, target prediction of the identified components was carried out via the SwissTargetPrediction platform. While CRS-related targets were retrieved from GEO, GeneCards, and PharmGKB. A gene library of ferroptosis- and anoikis-associated targets was established. Tissue-specific mRNA expression profiles were analyzed via BioGPS. Subsequently, protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks were constructed to identify core targets, followed by Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses using Metascape. Finally, molecular docking assessed binding affinities between active components and core targets, with top-ranked complexes undergoing molecular dynamics (MD) simulations.

Results: Fifteen bioactive components and 39 component-disease interaction targets were identified, predominantly localized in kidney, thymus, lung, adipocytes, adrenal gland, and heart tissues. Topological analysis of PPI networks revealed eight core targets, including ferroptosis-/anoikis-associated SIRT1, PTGS2, and PRKCA. KEGG analysis highlighted critical pathways such as AMPK and PI3K-Akt signaling. Notably, molecular docking and MD simulations demonstrated stable binding between active compounds and core targets.

Conclusion: This study systematically deciphers WPTLD's anti-CRS mechanisms via targeting ferroptosis- and anoikis-related genes through multi-pathway modulation. These findings not only clarify the pathological roles of ferroptosis and anoikis in CRS but also provide a computational framework for developing therapeutic strategies.