Network pharmacology-based analysis of Gastrodin’s molecular mechanisms in rectal cancer

Background: Rectal cancer is a major global health challenge, and the pharmacological mechanisms of natural compounds for its treatment remain unclear. Gastrodin, a bioactive component from Gastrodia elata, has shown anticancer potential, but its molecular targets in rectal cancer are largely unknown. This study aimed to systematically explore the key targets and signaling pathways of Gastrodin against rectal cancer using network pharmacology. Methods: Targets related to the rectum, rectal cancer, and Gastrodin were collected from GeneCards, Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology (TCMSP), and other databases. Overlapping genes were identified through Venn analysis. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses were performed, followed by the construction of protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks using STRING database and the identification of hub genes with the MCC algorithm in Cytoscape. A comprehensive regulatory network linking Gastrodin, intersecting genes, and KEGG pathways was visualized in Cytoscape. Results: Fifteen overlapping targets were identified, enriched in biological processes related to apoptosis regulation, immune activation, and the MAPK cascade. KEGG analysis highlighted ten significantly enriched pathways (adjusted p < 0.05), with cytosolic DNA-sensing, alcoholic liver disease, and insulin resistance pathways being the most prominent, suggesting a role in immune modulation and inflammation. PPI network analysis pinpointed IL6, IL1B, and NFKB1 as key hub genes. The integrated network revealed that Gastrodin may exert multi-target effects by regulating immune and apoptotic signaling cascades. Conclusion: This study systematically elucidates the multi-target and multi-pathway mechanisms of Gastrodin against rectal cancer, emphasizing its roles in immune modulation and apoptosis regulation. These findings provide a theoretical basis for further experimental validation of Gastrodin as a potential adjunctive therapeutic candidate.