Abstract
This study explores Polygonati Rhizoma’s therapeutic potential against periodontitis using network pharmacology, molecular docking, and experimental validation to uncover its mechanisms. Active ingredients and targets of Polygonati Rhizoma were sourced from TCMSP and DrugBank, while periodontitis-related targets were retrieved from GeneCards, DisGeNET, and PharmGKB. Core targets were identified via Venny 2.1, and a compound-target network was built using Cytoscape. GO/KEGG analyses and molecular docking were performed. A periodontitis mouse model (C57BL/6) was treated with 500 mg/kg Polygonati Rhizoma or water (control). Post-treatment, tissues and serum were analyzed. Twelve active ingredients in Polygonati Rhizoma (e.g., diosgenin, baicalein) exerted therapeutic effects by targeting core proteins such as MMP9, PPARG, and ESR1, and modulating signaling pathways including PI3K/AKT, IL-17/TNF, and HIF-1. In vivo experiments showed that Polygonati Rhizoma significantly suppressed serum IL-6 and TNF-α levels (P < 0.01), alleviated alveolar bone resorption, and reduced inflammatory infiltration in periodontal tissues of periodontitis mice. Additionally, Polygonati Rhizoma ameliorated histopathological damage in the liver and intestine, modulated the gut microbiota structure by increasing the abundance of Prevotella, and enriched ABC transporter-related functions. Polygonati Rhizoma alleviated alveolar bone loss in a periodontitis mouse model, suppressed inflammation by targeting MMP9, PPARG, and ESR1 via the PI3K/AKT, IL-17/TNF, and HIF-1 signaling pathways, reduced the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6/TNF-α), and modulated the gut microbiota composition. Modulation of the gut microbiome was associated with attenuated systemic inflammation, suggesting a potential role in the therapeutic effects of Polygonati Rhizoma.
Data availability
All data generated or analyzed during this study are included in this published article and its supplementary information files.
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Funding
This work was supported by Science and Technology Fund Project of Guizhou Provincial Health and Wellness Committee (gzwkj2023-520), Guizhou Province Science and Technology Program (Qianke Heji-ZK[2024] General 279), Zunyi Laboratory of Oral Diseases Research (Zunshi Kehe SYS [2025]1), Key Projects for Promoting the Utilization of Intellectual Property in Guizhou Province (Qianzhi Gaopei [2026] 2), Guizhou Provincial Innovation and Entrepreneurship Training Program for College Students (S2024106612313), Zunyi Medical University Master’s Start-up Fund Project (F-904), Zunyi Municipal Science and Technology Bureau Planned Project (Zun Shi Ke He HZ Zi (No. 202060)),Guizhou Province Science and Technology Plan Project (Qian Ke He Ping Tai Ren Cai [2018] No. 5772–067).
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R.QL. and L.XL. wrote the main manuscript text ,L.FZ. and T.ZJ. collected data, W.JT. and Z.B. prepared Figs. 1–3,G.P.,L.YZ. and S.ML. prepared Figs. 4–9,W.Q.and L.JG. and C.B. analysed and interpreted the data. All authors reviewed the manuscript.
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This project has been approved by the Institutional Animal Management Committee of Zunyi Medical University (Identification Code: ZMU22-2303–069) and all the experiments were safeguarded the well-being of experimental animals, and adhered to ethical principles. And all the authors complied with the ARRIVE guidelines.
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All experimental procedures were approved by the Animal Experiment Ethics Committee of Zunyi Medical University (Approval No.: SYXK(Qian) 2021–0004). Male C57BL/6 mice (n = 24, 8-week-old) were obtained from the Zunyi Medical University Laboratory Animal Center (License No.: SCXK (Qian) 2021–0002) and maintained under specific pathogen-free (SPF) conditions (License No.: SCXK (Qian) 2021–0004).
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Qunli, R., Xiaolan, L., Jingtong, W. et al. Network pharmacology, molecular docking, and in vivo experiments reveal the effects of Polygonati Rhizoma on periodontitis. Sci Rep (2026). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-40597-1
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-40597-1