Mechanism of Polygonum capitatum Intervention in Kidney Stones based on Network Pharmacology, Molecular Docking Technology, and Molecular Dynamics Simulation.

INTRODUCTION

Polygonum capitatum (THL) is a traditional Chinese medicinal herb with antiinflammatory and antioxidant properties, widely used for urinary tract infections. Kidney stones are a prevalent urological disorder with increasing incidence, where oxidative stress and inflammation play crucial roles. However, the mechanism of THL in treating kidney stones remains unclear. This study aimed to explore the underlying mechanism using network pharmacology, molecular docking, and molecular dynamics simulation.

METHODS

114 chemical constituents of THL were collected from the literature, and 32 potential active components were screened via Swiss-ADME. Their targets were predicted using Swiss-TargetPrediction. Kidney stone-related targets were obtained from multiple databases, and intersecting targets were identified. A protein-protein interaction network was constructed to screen core targets, followed by GO and KEGG enrichment analyses. Molecular docking and 100 ns molecular dynamics simulation were performed to validate binding interactions.

RESULTS

84 intersecting targets were identified between THL and kidney stones. Core targets included TNF, AKT1, BCL2, EGFR, and PTGS2. Enrichment analysis revealed significant involvement of PI3K/AKT and HIF-1 signaling pathways. Molecular docking showed good binding affinity between active components (especially flavonoids) and core targets. Molecular dynamics simulation confirmed the high stability of the PTGS2-3-Methoxyluteolin complex.

DISCUSSION: THL exerts anti-kidney stone effects through multiple active components targeting key molecules involved in inflammation, oxidative stress, and renal tubular injury. PTGS2 was identified as a critical target, and the findings align with THL's traditional anti-infective applications.

CONCLUSION

This study systematically identified the potential bioactive compounds, core targets, and key pathways of THL in treating kidney stones, providing a theoretical basis for further experimental validation and clinical application.