Exploring the Mechanism of Action of Artemisia Annua in Alzheimer's Disease Based on Network Pharmacology

This study aims to investigate the multi-target and multi-pathway mechanisms of Artemisia annua in the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD) using a network pharmacology approach. Active compounds of Artemisia annua were identified from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database (TCMSP) based on ADME criteria (oral bioavailability 30%, drug-likeness 0.18). AD-related targets were retrieved from the GeneCards and DisGeNet databases. The intersection of compound targets and disease genes was analyzed to construct a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses were performed, followed by the development of a compound-target-pathway network. Through database analysis, 23 key active ingredients of Artemisia annua and 64 key targets were identified. Core targets, including PSEN2, NOS3, PSEN1, MPO, APP, may play critical roles in regulating -amyloid (A) dysmetabolism and modulating immuno-inflammatory responses. GO and KEGG enrichment analyses suggest that Artemisia annua is involved A formation and calcium ion regulation pathways. Additionally, it may exert immunomodulatory effects through various signaling pathways, including the Notch and phosphatidylinositol signaling systems. This study provides valuable insights into the therapeutic mechanisms of Artemisia annua in AD, demonstrating its potential to regulate key pathological features through multi-target and multi-pathway interactions. These findings offer a theoretical basis for integrating Artemisia annua into innovative AD treatment strategies and warrant further experimental validation for clinical application.