Hydroxysafflor Yellow A improves diabetic nephropathy by inhibiting PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway based on a multidimensional study

Background Diabetic nephropathy (DN) remains a global health burden. This study integrates multiple approaches to investigate the therapeutic effects of Hydroxysafflor Yellow A (HSYA) in DN. Methods SwissTargetPrediction and PharmMapper were used to predict HSYA targets. GeneCards and OMIM databases were used to identify targets associated with DN. The STRING database was used to construct the protein–protein interaction (PPI) network of key targets, and Cytoscape was applied to identify the core targets within the PPI network. GO and KEGG enrichment analyses of key targets were performed using the Metascape database. Molecular docking analyses of HSYA with core targets were performed using AutoDock Vina. The DN model was established using db/db mice fed a normal diet, with db/m mice serving as controls. Renal fibrosis was assessed by immunohistochemistry, and qPCR detected core targets and key signaling pathways. Results We identified 236 key targets. GO and KEGG analyses were significantly enriched in the PI3K-Akt, Ras, AGE-RAGE, FoxO, mTOR, and autophagy signaling pathways. HSYA exhibited strong binding affinity with AKT1, PI3K, and mTOR. In vivo studies showed that HSYA modulated the expression of autophagy-related genes (PI3K, AKT, mTOR) and alleviated renal fibrosis in DN mice. Conclusion This study provides preliminary evidence that HSYA may alleviate DN by improving renal fibrosis and modulating autophagy, thereby establishing a theoretical basis for its development as a potential therapeutic agent.