Network pharmacology insights into the mechanisms of Panax notoginseng saponins in rectal cancer

Background: Rectal cancer is a significant health concern, and Panax notoginseng saponins (PNS), a traditional Chinese medicine component, shows potential therapeutic effects. This study aimed to identify key gene targets and underlying mechanisms of PNS in rectal cancer using bioinformatics approaches. Methods: Standardized keywords were used to retrieve gene targets from the GeneCards and the Encyclopedia of Traditional Chinese Medicine (ETCM) databases. Venn analysis was applied to identify overlapping genes among rectum, rectal cancer, and PNS. Gene Ontology (GO) functional enrichment and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analyses were performed using the Metascape and Weshengxin platforms. Protein–protein interaction (PPI) networks were constructed via STRING and visualized with Cytoscape to identify hub genes and regulatory interactions. Results: A total of 1,388 rectal cancer-related, 2,889 rectum-related, and 37 PNS-related gene targets were identified. Venn analysis revealed 20 overlapping genes. GO enrichment analysis indicated that these genes were primarily involved in biological processes such as cell migration, localized to cellular components including protease inhibitor complexes, and exhibited molecular functions such as cytokine receptor binding. KEGG pathway analysis highlighted key signaling pathways like AGE-RAGE signaling pathway in diabetic complications. PPI network analysis identified 10 hub genes, such as interleukin-6 (IL6), tumor necrosis factor (TNF), AKT Serine/Threonine Kinase 1 (AKT1). The regulatory network was constructed by revealing critical interactions among rectum, rectal cancer, PNS, hub genes, and associated pathways. Conclusion: This study systematically elucidates the potential molecular mechanisms of PNS in rectal cancer, identifying key gene targets and signaling pathways, providing a foundation for future mechanistic and therapeutic research.