Efficacy of Xuebijing injection for the treatment of coronavirus disease 2019 via network pharmacology

Abstract

Background: To evaluate the mechanism of Chinese patent drug Xuebijing (XBJ) injection in the treatment of a new coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) based on network pharmacology and molecular docking technology. Methods: The TCMSP database was employed to collect and screen the active ingredients of the Chinese herb contained in the XBJ injection. The GeneCards database and STRING database were applied to collect and expand the targets of COVID-19 and compare and screen the related targets of COVID-19 by XBJ injection. Cytoscape was employed to build a network connecting Chinese medicine, compounds, targets, disease, and topology analysis was performed via the Network Analyzer to screen the key ingredients and targets. The software of Schrodinger molecular docking was used to verify the binding activity of the key ingredients of XBJ injection and the key targets of COVID-19. Metascape platform and DAVID database were utilized to conduct Gene Ontology analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analysis on the key targets of COVID-19 treated by XBJ injection. Results: Eight key compounds and 15 key targets were screened and verified by molecular docking; these key compounds included luteolin, quercetin, baicalein, and kaempferol. The key targets included DPP4, AR, ESR1, CALM1, and protein kinase 1. Gene Ontology analysis involved an apoptosis and hypoxia reaction and the changes in blood vessel morphology. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analysis involved signaling pathways of hypoxia inducible factor-1, VEGF, and PI3K/AKT/NF-κB. Conclusion: The mechanism of XBJ injection when used to treat COVID-19 should be further investigated as the key compounds in XBJ regulated the expression of key targets such as protein kinase 1, VEGF-A, B-cell lymphoma-2, and TNF, which affected the COVID-19 receptors such as angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 and signaling pathways like hypoxia inducible factor-1, PI3K-Akt, and NF-κB, which alleviated the inflammation, respiratory distress, and hypoxia caused by COVID-19 infection.