Elucidating the Multi-Target Anti-Pruritic Mechanism of Polygonatum odoratum via Integrated Network Pharmacology,...

Polygonatum odoratum, a medicinal and edible plant widely used in traditional Chinese medicine and daily diets, has potential in managing various disorders, but its anti-pruritic mechanisms remain unclear. This study aimed to explore its multi-target anti-pruritic effects by integrating network pharmacology, molecular docking, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, GeneMANIA functional association analysis (GMFA), and GEO dataset validation. Bioactive components and pruritus-related targets were identified from public databases, and interaction networks between Polygonatum odoratum and pruritus targets, as well as the antihistamine levocetirizine, were constructed. Core targets were screened, and functional enrichment analyses were performed using DAVID and KEGG. Molecular docking (AutoDock Vina) and MD simulations (AMBER20) assessed the binding energy and stability of core components with key targets. The analysis identified 5 active components, 208 related targets, and 113 pruritus-associated targets, including 10 core targets. Enrichment analysis highlighted the PI3K/Akt and IL-17 signaling pathways, while MCODE clustering suggested involvement in arachidonic acid metabolism and serotonergic synapse. GMFA supported these findings. Molecular docking showed strong binding energy (<-5 kcal/mol), and MD simulations confirmed stable ligand-target complexes. GEO dataset validation reinforced key results. This study suggests that Polygonatum odoratum may exert anti-pruritic effects through the combined actions of inflammation suppression, skin barrier repair, and neural modulation, revealing a novel multi-target mechanism for pruritus therapy and potential synergy with levocetirizine.