Elucidating the PTK2-Targeted Anti-Hepatocellular Carcinoma Effects of Euphorbia helioscopia L. via Integrated Network Pharmacology, Mendelian Randomization, and Experimental Validation

Euphorbia helioscopia L. (Zeqi, ZQ) is a traditional Chinese herb used to treat various tumors, but its molecular mechanisms against hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remain unclear. This study aims to elucidate the anti-HCC mechanisms of ZQ using chemical profiling, bioinformatics, Mendelian randomization (MR), and experimental validation. A total of 104 compounds were identified from ZQ, with 18 targeting HCC-related proteins. Bioinformatics and MR analyses revealed PTK2 as a core target associated with HCC risk. ZQ significantly suppressed H22 tumor growth in male ICR mice and inhibited PTK2/PI3K/AKT phosphorylation. Molecular docking and dynamics simulations confirmed stable binding between key ZQ compounds and PTK2. These results suggest that ZQ exerts anti-HCC effects through PTK2 inhibition and modulation of the PI3K/AKT pathway, supporting its potential as a multi-targeted therapeutic for HCC.