Introduction:Prostate cancer is an androgen-dependent malignancy, and the use of
androgen deprivation therapies frequently results in treatment resistance, relapse, and the development
of aggressive castration-resistant tumors. Patchouli alcohol, a tricyclic sesquiterpene
derived from Pogostemon cablin of the Labiatae family, has demonstrated potential in modulating
inflammatory responses and tumor progression. This study aimed to investigate the mechanisms
through which patchouli alcohol influences inflammatory pathways associated with prostate
cancer using bioinformatics and experimental validation.Methods:Differentially Expressed Genes (DEGs) were identified from the GSE46602 dataset,
containing 36 prostate cancer and 14 normal prostate biopsy samples, using the GEO2R tool
(adjusted P < 0.05). Functional annotation was performed using GO and KEGG databases, while
PPI networks were constructed via STRING and Cytoscape. Key hub genes were identified. To
validate the bioinformatics findings, qPCR and Western blotting were employed to confirm the
differential expression of selected hub genes in DU145 prostate cancer cells treated with patchouli
oil.Results:Bioinformatic analysis revealed 71 DEGs, including 35 upregulated and 36 downregulated genes. Thirteen hub genes
were identified (DCK, APRT, ADK, KCNK9, ADSL, PKM, KCNK3, S100A10, ENTPD2, PKLR, ARHGEF38, TPK1, and AK5), which were enriched
in pathways, such as MAPK, PI3K-Akt, Ras, and Rap1. Experimental validation confirmed the upregulation of DCK, APRT, KCNK9, ADSL,
PKM, S100A10, ENTPD2, PKLR, ARHGEF38, and AK5, and the downregulation of ADK, KCNK3, and TPK1 at both the mRNA and protein levels.Conclusion:Patchouli alcohol appears to influence multiple hub genes associated with prostate
cancer progression through its modulation of key cellular signaling and metabolic pathways.
These findings support its potential role as a therapeutic agent for prostate cancer.