## 4 Discussion  
Network pharmacology is an interdisciplinary field that combines network analysis, systems biology, and computational chemistry to study the interactions between drugs and biological systems. It uses biological data and computational methods to build network models of biological molecules (such as proteins, genes, metabolites, etc.) to predict the interactions and biological effects of drugs with these molecules. This approach provides a better understanding of the diverse and complex effects of drug action, revealing the molecular mechanisms underlying drug treatment of diseases [19]. Further analysis of the target proteins of QBA revealed that these 10 proteins play distinct roles in aging. Some are involved in cellular aging, with their levels directly related to the aging process. In addition, some proteins are associated with aging-related  
Figure 6: The docking model of QBA with the core target proteins (**A**) TNF, (**B**) AKT1, (**C**) INS, (**D**) STAT3, (**E**) ESR1, and (**F**) VEGFA (crystal structure model, spatial structure model, and 2D structure model). In this model, ligands are depicted as purple rods, amino acid residues as brown rods, hydrogen bonds as green dashed lines, and hydrophobic interactions as red symbols. complications. In organisms, tissue degeneration and age-related diseases indicate the onset of aging. Studies have found that TNF is associated with inflammatory response, and its overactivation may lead to tissue degeneration and age-related diseases [20]. This suggests that inhibiting excessive TNF activation is crucial for anti-aging. Undoubtedly, understanding how aging signals are transmitted between cells is essential for anti-aging. AKT1 is a key cellular signaling molecule, and decreased AKT1 levels can contribute to aging through various biological pathways [21]. As the organism ages, blood sugar and fat metabolism slow down. INS regulates blood sugar and fat metabolism. Studies have found that aging-related diseases, such as diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, are linked to imbalanced INS expression [22]. For elderly people, osteoporosis is an unavoidable issue. ESR1 is involved in various biological processes, including gender differentiation, reproduction, and bone metabolism. A study has found that decreased ESR1 levels may be related to osteoporosis in the elderly [23]. Cardiovascular disease also accompanies aging. Studies have found that decreased VEGFA levels may be related to age-related cardiovascular diseases [24], indicating VEGFA's role in angiogenesis and repair. Recently, in skincare, antioxidants and anti-aging have been key selling points for consumers. CAT is a crucial antioxidant enzyme that eliminates free radicals and other harmful substances. Decreased CAT levels may be related to age-related oxidative stress and tissue damage [25], suggesting the potential of adding QBA to skincare or antioxidant health products to meet consumer needs. When mentioning health products, we also consider immune modulators. Some product advertisements now claim that they can regulate the human immune system. We found that among these 10 proteins, IL10 is a crucial immune regulatory factor that can inhibit inflammatory responses. Studies have found that decreased IL10 levels may be related to age-related immune dysfunction [26]. Notably, we found three transcription factors among these 10 proteins. FOXOO3 primarily regulates cellular metabolism, apoptosis, and antioxidant responses. Studies have shown that elevated levels of FOXOO3 may be related to longevity [27]. Like FOXOO3, FOXOO1 is also a transcription factor involved in various biological processes. Research has shown that FOXOO1 is involved in cellular antioxidant defense and metabolic regulation. By activating cellular antioxidant defenses and metabolic pathways, it can reduce oxidative stress and anti-aging [28]. Another crucial transcription factor is STAT3, which is involved in cell proliferation, differentiation, and immune response.