Inhibition of Iron Death by Lycium barbarum Polysaccharides Ameliorates Myocardial Injury in Sepsis: A Pharmacological Mechanism Study Based on the NRF2/HO‐1 Pathway
Zesu Niu, Yi Hu, Yang Long, Xiaorui Meng, Mengfei Chen, Xue Bai, Ruxin Liu, Yujiao Tang, Liting Yang, Wei-Liang Xue · Food Science & Nutrition · 2025
ABSTRACT Sepsis remains a leading global cause of mortality, with sepsis‐induced myocardial injury (SIMI) being a critical determinant of clinical outcomes. Lycium barbarum L. (goji berry), a traditional Chinese herb, has demonstrated therapeutic potential in sepsis‐related organ injuries through multiple pathways. However, its role and mechanisms in SIMI remain unexplored. A network pharmacology approach identified candidate targets of Lycium barbarum via TCMSP and SwissTargetPrediction, intersected with sepsis/myocardial injury‐related targets from GeneCards. Protein–protein interaction (PPI) networks were constructed using STRING and analyzed via Cytoscape's cytoHubba plugin. Enriched pathways were explored through KEGG/GO analyses. Transcription factor prediction, molecular docking (AutoDock Vina), and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations (GROMACS) were performed for key targets. Experimental validation included in vivo LPS‐induced sepsis models and in vitro H9C2 cardiomyocyte assays. This study reveals that Lycium barbarum alleviates SIMI by modulating the NRF2/HO‐1 signaling pathway, positioning it as a novel therapeutic candidate for sepsis‐associated cardiac complications.