A network pharmacology-based strategy deciphers the multitarget pharmacological mechanism of Reduning injection in the treatment of influenza

Abstract

IntroductionInfluenza remains a major public health concern. With the increasing resistance to existing anti-influenza drugs, the development of new drugs is urgently needed. Reduning injection is a commonly used drug in the clinical treatment of influenza. This preliminary work explored the molecular mechanisms underlying the action of Reduning injection in the treatment of influenza. MethodsNetwork pharmacology and molecular docking simulation were adopted to explore the mechanisms. ResultsThirty-four compounds and 668 compound targets were included in this study. Eight common targets, namely, CXCL10, CCL2, IL6, STAT1, PTPN11, TNF, BRAF and MMP9, were considered to be the key targets. Sixteen compounds were closely related to influenza, among which quercetin and luteolin showed the highest degrees. Two GO terms were obtained: “positive regulation of ERK1 and ERK2 cascade” and “cellular response to lipopolysaccharide”. Three KEGG entries containing “influenza A” and “TNF signaling pathway” were obtained. All compounds docked well with the key targets. ConclusionReduning injection may have an effect on cytokine storms and protect patients from lung damage. The compounds of Reduning injection can inhibit viral-cell fusion and stop viral replication through NF-kappa B signaling, the MAPK cascade and TNF signaling pathways. Reduning injection may treat influenza by regulating viral infection pathways, signal transduction pathways and immune systems.