Therapeutic potential of dihydrocapsaicin in vascular smooth muscle cell calcification

• DHC targets 20 genes involved in apoptosis, autophagy, and stress responses, suggesting a mechanistic link to vascular calcification. • Bioinformatics analysis reveals DHC's involvement in key signaling pathways (MAPK, ErbB, HIF-1, FoxO, sphingolipid) that are critical in vascular pathology. • DHC's anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-apoptotic properties may offer a novel therapeutic approach for vascular calcification. • This study provides a foundation for experimental validation of DHC as a potential drug to inhibit vascular calcification.