Potential anti-glioma targets and mechanisms of Smilax china L. based on network pharmacological, molecular docking and experimental verification.

Glioma, the most common primary malignant brain tumor, urgently requires effective treatments. Traditional Chinese herbal medicine, with its multi-target and low side effects, shows potential in anti-tumor treatment. Smilax china L. (SCL) resists various tumors, but its effect on gliomas is unknown. This study evaluated the impact and mechanism of SCL on glioma. Results showed intragastric administration of 0.5 and 1.5 g/kg SCL significantly inhibited glioma growth and prolonged survival in tumor-bearing mice. Bioinformatics analysis identified 84 intersection targets SCL and glioma. GO and KEGG analyses suggested that the EGFR/Akt/mTOR and EGFR/STAT3 pathways play important roles. Molecular docking highlighted Diosgenin and Pseudodiosgenin as key active compounds with strong binding ability to screened targets. In vitro verification confirmed these compounds inhibited glioma cell proliferation and induced apoptosis. Western blot analysis confirmed that SCL inhibits glioma via the EGFR/Akt/mTOR and EGFR/STAT3 pathways. Collectively, our findings comprehensively elucidated the active compounds, potential targets, and molecular mechanisms of SCL against glioma, providing a promising strategy for the scientific basis and therapeutic mechanism of traditional Chinese medicine prescriptions for the treatment of the disease.