Predicting bioactive compounds and cancer-related molecular targets of lotus seedpod (Receptaculum Nelumbinis) based on network pharmacology and molecular docking

Background:Lotus seedpod(Receptaculum Nelumbinis)is the abundant by-products produced during lotus seed processing,and the sources are usually considered to be wastes and are abandoned outdoors or incinerated.This study aims at predicting its bioactive compounds and cancer-related molecular targets against six cancers,including lung cancer,gastric cancer,liver cancer,breast cancer,ovarian cancer and cervical cancer.Methods:Network pharmacology and molecular docking methods were performed.Results:Network pharmacology results indicated that 14 core compounds(liensinine,tetrandrine,lysicamine,tricin,sanleng acid,cireneol G,ricinoleic acid,linolenic acid,5,7-dihydroxycoumarin,apigenin,luteolin,morin,quercetin and isorhamnetin)and 10 core targets(AKT1,ESR1,HSP90AA1,JUN,MAPK1,MAPK3,PIK3CA,PIK3R1,SRC and STAT3)were screened for lotus seedpod against the six cancers.Molecular docking analysis suggested that the binding abilities between the core compounds and the core targets were mostly strong.GO analysis revealed that the intersected targets between the bioactive compounds of lotus seedpod and the six cancers were significantly related to biological processes,cell compositions and molecular functions.KEGG analysis showed that PI3K-Akt,TNF,Ras,MAPK,HIF-1 and C-type lectin receptor signaling pathways were notably involved in the anti-cancer activities of lotus seedpod against the six cancers.Conclusions:14 core compounds and 10 core targets were screened for lotus seedpod against lung cancer,gastric cancer,liver cancer,breast cancer,ovarian cancer and cervical cancer.This study supports the application of lotus seedpod in treating cancers,and promotes the recycling and the high-value utilization.