Abstract
The Qinghai‒Tibet Plateau, the "Roof of the World" in China, has high altitude, low pressure, thin air, little rain, long sunshine, and snow cover, causing 80-90% more Ultraviolet (UV) reflectance and greater skin UV exposure at high altitudes. Myricaria paniculata, a Tibetan plant growing at 2000-4500 m, has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immune-boosting effects and can protect skin cells from Ultraviolet B (UVB)damage. The protective effects of Myricaria paniculata compounds against UVB-induced HaCat cell damage were explored. Samples were divided into normal, model, and treatment groups (seven compounds). First, the cell viability and apoptosis rates of each group were measured, along with the levels of factors such as Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and Superoxide dismutase (SOD). Network pharmacology analysis and molecular docking were subsequently performed. This study revealed that the compound enhanced cell survival, inhibited apoptosis, reduced ROS and Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, and increased SOD activity. It also lowered the levels of Interleukin-6 (IL-6), Tumor Necrosis Factor-α (TNF-α), and Aspartate protein hydrolase 3 containing cysteine (Caspase-3). An analysis of the intersection between the 218 targets of the seven compounds found in Myricaria paniculata and the 1002 targets associated with skin inflammation revealed 59 common targets, with key targets including TNF and others. GO and KEGG analyses suggested the involvement of metabolic pathways. Seven core targets related to skin inflammation in Myricaria paniculata were identified by molecular docking. In addition, its compounds rhamnetin, rhamnocitrin, ferulic acid and kaempferol have good binding activity with TNF, PTGS2, EGFR and MMP9 targets. The Tibetan medicine Myricaria paniculata had a certain protective effect on UVB-induced HaCat cell damage.