Research on the mechanism of Kaempferol targeting BCL-2 to inhibit lung cancer from the perspective of network pharmacology

Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2025, 08, v.60 1373-1380     font:big middle small

Found programs: National Natural Science Foundation of China( No . 82204845) ; Natural Science Foundation of Shanghai(No . 22ZR1447900)

Authors:Chen Jiandong1 , Lv Yingying2 , Xu Zheng2 , Zhang Miao2 , Liu Luyao2 , Wang Peng2

Keywords:gardenia jasminoides ; kaempferol;lung cancer;BCL⁃2;network pharmacology

DOI:10.19405/j.cnki.issn1000-1492.2025.08.002

〔Abstract〕 To investigate the potential therapeutic mechanisms of kaempferol , an active component in the traditional Chinese medicine gardenia , for lung cancer treatment using a network pharmacology approach . Methods The main active ingredients and potential targets of Gardenia jasminoides were obtained through the Tra⁃ ditional Chinese Medicine Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP) , and combined with the lung cancer related target information collected from Gene Cards and OMIM databases , the intersection targets of Garde⁃ nia jasminoides and lung cancer treatment were determined by drawing Venn diagrams . Further screening of core targets was conducted through PPI network analysis , and gene ontology (GO) function and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes ( KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis were performed using the Metascape platform . Auto dock software was used to evaluate the binding affinity between the active ingredients of Gardenia jasminoides and target proteins . In terms of experiments , cell proliferation ability was evaluated through CCK⁃8 assay , cell migration and invasion ability were detected through cell scratch healing assay and Transwell assay , and the expression levels of epithelial mesenchymal transition ( EMT) protein and inflammatory factors were detected by Western blot and RT⁃qPCR . Results The active ingredient kaempferol in Gardenia jasminoides exhibited significant binding ability invasion of lung cancer cells . The results of Western blot and RT⁃qPCR further confirmed that kaempferol could promote an increase in E ⁃cadherin , a decrease in N ⁃cadherin and Vimentin , and reduce the expression of inflam⁃ matory factors . Conclusion The active ingredient of Gardenia jasminoides , kaempferol , inhibits the proliferation ,migration and invasion of lung cancer cells by targeting BCL⁃2 , while reversing EMT progression and suppressing the expression levels of inflammatory cytokines in lung cancer cells , thus preventing lung cancer progression .