Utilizing network pharmacology and experimental validation to investigate the underlying mechanism of Sophora davidii resists aging

Background The Sophora davidii flower (SDF) is an important traditional Chinese medicine in Guizhou, and it has the effect of anti-aging. However, the specific mechanism of its action remains unclear. We investigated the therapeutic effects and mechanisms of SDF on anti-aging using network pharmacology and cell experiments. Methods The database was used to predict anti-aging-related targets of SDF, and 81 SDF-intersecting targets for aging treatment were identified. A PPI network was developed to identify key targets using degree values. Key targets were analyzed using KEGG pathway enrichment and GO function to identify pathways related to matrine’s anti-aging effects. Moreover, perform molecular docking on matrine and key targets. An aging model of HUVECs was developed using the H ₂ O ₂ induction, followed by treatment with varying concentrations of SDFE (0.5, 1 and 2 mg/mL). β-galactosidase staining assessed the positive rate of aging HUVECs, while the tube formation assay evaluated their tube formation capability. Western blot analysis was employed to detect marker proteins in the aging signaling pathway. Results The β-galactosidase staining demonstrated that SDFE could inhibit the senescence of HUVECs, while the tube formation assay proved that SDFE can enhance the tube forming ability. The Western blot confirmed the p53, p-Akt/Akt and p-PI3K/PI3K levels decreased significantly in all SDFE dose groups compared to the control group, exhibiting a dose-dependent pattern. Conclusion The results indicated that SDF could inhibit HUVEC aging, and the mechanism involved the regu-lation of the TP53-PI3K/AKT pathway.