Mechanistic insights into Shenqi Dihuang decoction in the treatment of immunoglobulin a nephropathy.

Background: Immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) is among the most prevalent glomerular disorders. Shenqi Dihuang decoction (SQD) has demonstrated therapeutic efficacy in various renal conditions, but its effects on IgAN remain insufficiently explored. The present investigation was designed to explore the potential mechanistic actions of SQD in the context of IgAN. Methods: Therapeutic targets of SQD and genes linked to IgAN were sourced from publicly available databases. An intersection analysis was performed to identify drug targets relevant to IgAN, comparing SQD target genes, differentially expressed genes (DEGs) from patients with IgAN versus healthy controls, and module genes associated with the disease. Key candidate genes were identified using feature selection techniques from machine learning, supported by experimental validation of expression patterns. Mechanistic insights were further explored through nomogram construction, gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA), immune cell infiltration profiling, molecular regulatory network reconstruction, and molecular docking simulations. Single-cell RNA sequencing identified key cell populations involved in IgAN pathogenesis, and critical gene expression patterns were assessed within these cells. Additionally, SQD's protective effects against IgAN were validated using Results: The mechanism underlying SQD's efficacy in IgAN may involve key molecular targets, such as Conclusion: Our findings proposed three potential key genes-