Molecular Mechanism of Polygonum Multiflorum in the Treatment of Androgenic Alopecia: Based on Bioinformatics and Molecular Docking Method

The study explored the molecular mechanisms of polygonum multiflorum in treating androgenic alopecia using bioinformatics and molecular docking methods. Researchers identified 1,357 common target genes and extracted a core sub-network of 67 genes. The KEGG enrichment analysis indicated that polygonum multiflorum exerted its effects by regulating inflammatory response, apoptosis, oxidative stress, and autophagy pathways. Molecular docking showed strong binding energies for PIK3CA-emodin, PIK3CA-chrysophanol, PIK3CA-guaijaverin, and PIK3CB-emodin, all less than -9 kcal/mol. The study concluded that polygonum multiflorum treated androgenic alopecia by mediating the PI3K/Akt pathway to regulate PIK3CA and PIK3CB expression, inhibiting inflammatory response and oxidative stress, and inducing melanin production.