A combined network pharmacology and molecular biology approach to investigate the potential mechanisms of G-M6 on ovarian cancer

•We mapped the biosynthetic pathway that converts AD-1 to G-M6, which involves two key issues. First, how does the skeleton structure extend from a four membered ring to a five membered ring. Second, how a methyl group in the C-29 position changes from –CH3 to -H.•This manuscript, for the first time, twenty-one critical targets of ginsenoside G-M6 in the treatment of ovarian cancer were selected by topological analysis. By cluster analysis, two gene clusters and two core genes were obtained.•Based on data mining and network analysis, we first reveal that the PPAR signal route is the primary signal pathway of the G-M6 anti-ovarian cancer mechanism. Docking tests demonstrated that the bioactive chemical G-M6 was capable of forming a stable bond with the PPARγ target protein capsule.•Using SKOV3 cells, the subcutaneous xenotransplantation model of ovarian cancer was successfully established in nude mice. When RSG and G-M6 are combined to treat ovarian cancer, there is an additive effect.