Systematic Investigation of Tumor Immune Microenvironment Modulation by Cynomorium songaricum Against Breast Cancer Through Integrated Chemomics, Network Pharmacology and Molecular Docking

TL;DR

This study explores how Cynomorium songaricum, a traditional Chinese medicine, modulates the tumor immune environment in breast cancer using chemical profiling and computational methods.

Contribution

The study systematically identifies bioactive compounds in Cynomorium songaricum and their immunomodulatory mechanisms against breast cancer.

Findings

1100 compounds were identified, with 84 meeting drug-likeness criteria, including flavonoids and terpenes.

Network pharmacology revealed 776 overlapping targets linked to breast cancer and immune regulation.

Molecular docking and MD simulations confirmed stable interactions between compounds and immune-related targets.

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Breast cancer remains a leading cause of cancer-related mortality in women, with therapeutic resistance frequently arising from tumor heterogeneity and an immunosuppressive tumor immune microenvironment (TIME). While Cynomorium songaricum Rupr. (CS) has been used traditionally in Chinese medicine and exhibits preliminary anti-tumor activity, its bioactive constituents and precise mechanisms against breast cancer remain to be elucidated. Methods: The chemical constituents of CS were systematically profiled using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with Q Exactive Orbitrap mass spectrometry (UHPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap MS/MS). Network pharmacology and functional enrichment analyses were performed to identify immuno-related targets and pathways, followed by molecular docking to prioritize component–target pairs. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were conducted to validate the stability of a representative docked complex and to characterize binding stability, interaction persistence, molecular mechanics/(Poisson–Boltzmann) surface area (MM/(P)BSA) energetics, and principal component analysis (PCA)-based conformational landscapes. Results: We identified 1100 compounds, of which 84 satisfied the in silico drug-likeness criteria, including 12 phenylpropanoids, 4 terpenes, 35 flavonoids, 2 quinones, 1 phenol, 3 alkaloids, and other phytochemicals. Network pharmacology analysis revealed 776 overlapping targets associated with both breast cancer and immune regulation. Functional enrichment analysis underscored significant involvement in immune-related pathways, and molecular docking studies supported high-affinity interactions between the components and their targets. MD analyses further supported a stable bound ensemble for the representative SRC–Tomentogenin complex during the equilibrated window, with persistent pocket occupancy, consistent interaction signatures, favorable MM/(P)BSA binding energetics, and a concentrated low-energy basin on the PCA-based free energy landscape. Conclusions: These findings elucidate the chemical basis of CS and uncover its immunomodulatory mechanism against breast cancer, offering a foundation for developing CS-based immunotherapeutic strategies and supporting multi-target drug discovery from traditional medicines.

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