Abstract
The 31 main components of Lianhua Qingwen (LHQW) were obtained through a literature and database search; the components included glycyrrhizic acid, emodin, chlorogenic acid, isophoroside A, forsythia, menthol, luteolin, quercetin, and rutin. Sixty-eight common targets for the treatment of novel coronavirus pneumonia (NCP) and influenza virus pneumonia (IVP) were also obtained. A “component-target-disease” network was constructed with Cytoscape 3.2.1 software, and 20 key targets, such as cyclooxygenase2 (COX2), interleukin-6 (IL-6), mitogen-activated protein kinase14 (Mapk14), and tumor necrosis factor (TNF), were screened from the network. The David database was used to perform a Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) signal pathway enrichment analysis and gene ontology (GO) biological process enrichment. Results showed that the key targets of LHQW in the treatment of NCP and IVP mainly involved biological processes, such as immune system process intervention, cell proliferation, apoptosis and invasion, toxic metabolism, cytokine activity, and regulation of the synthesis process. KEGG enrichment analysis revealed that 115 signalling pathways were related to the treatment of LHQW. Amongst them, IL-17, T cell receptor, Th17 cell differentiation, TNF, toll-like receptor, MAPK, apoptosis, and seven other signalling pathways were closely related to the occurrence and development of NCP and IVP. Molecular docking showed that each component had different degrees of binding with six targets, namely, 3C-like protease (3CL), angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), COX2, hemagglutinin (HA), IL-6, and neuraminidase (NA). Rutin, isoforsythiaside A, hesperidin and isochlorogenic acid B were the best components for docking with the six core targets. The first five components with the best docking results were isoforsythiaside, hesperidin, isochlorogenic acid B, forsythin E, and quercetin. In conclusion, LHQW has many components, targets, and pathways. The findings of this work can provide an important theoretical basis for determining the mechanism of LHQW in treating NCP and IVP.
Highlights
Lianhua Qingwen (LHQW) is composed of 13 traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs), namely, Forsythiae Fructus (Lianqiao, LQ), Lonicerae Japonicae Flos (Jinyinhua, JYH), Ephedare Herba (Mahuang, MH), Armeniacae Semen Amarum (Kuxingren, KXR), Gypsum Fibrosum (Shigao, SG), Isatdis Radix (Banlangen, BLG), Dryopteridis Crassirhizomatis Rhizoma (Mianmaguanzhong, MMGZ), Houttuyniae Herba (Yuxingcao, YXC), Pogostemonis Herba (Guanghuoxiang, GHX), Rhei Radix et Rhizoma (Dahuang, DH), Rhodiolae Crenulatae Radix et Rhizoma (Hongjingtian, HJT), l-Menthol (Bohenao, BHN), and Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma (Gancao, GC)
NCP- and IVP-related target information were collected by searching for the keywords “influenza virus pneumonia” and “novel coronavirus pneumonia.” e IVP-associated targets, NCP-related targets, and compound targets were mapped in Venny 2.1.0 software, and the common targets were screened out and regarded as a potential target for LHQW to fight viral pneumonia
According to the results of this study, COX2 and IL-6 are involved in the infection. erefore, this study further explored the material basis of LHQW in the treatment of viral pneumonia. e docking results showed that each component had different degrees of binding to each target (Figure 7), and the binding energies with 3C-like protease (3CL), angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), NA, HA, COX2, and IL-6 were lower than −7.0 kcal/mol
Summary
Lianhua Qingwen (LHQW) is composed of 13 traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs), namely, Forsythiae Fructus (Lianqiao, LQ), Lonicerae Japonicae Flos (Jinyinhua, JYH), Ephedare Herba (Mahuang, MH), Armeniacae Semen Amarum (Kuxingren, KXR), Gypsum Fibrosum (Shigao, SG), Isatdis Radix (Banlangen, BLG), Dryopteridis Crassirhizomatis Rhizoma (Mianmaguanzhong, MMGZ), Houttuyniae Herba (Yuxingcao, YXC), Pogostemonis Herba (Guanghuoxiang, GHX), Rhei Radix et Rhizoma (Dahuang, DH), Rhodiolae Crenulatae Radix et Rhizoma (Hongjingtian, HJT), l-Menthol (Bohenao, BHN), and Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma (Gancao, GC). According to the pathological theory of TCM, LHQW is Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine good medicine for dredging collaterals, dispersing the lung, opening with pungent and bitter drugs, and clearing away heat and detoxification [1] It exerts good effects on influenza virus pneumonia (IVP) and has antibacterial, antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, antitussive, expectorant, and immune-regulating functions [2]. LHQW has no difference with oseltamivir [3] (oseltamivir is a neuraminidase inhibitor used in the treatment of influenza A and B) in terms of anti-influenza capability, but it is superior to oseltamivir in relieving the symptoms of influenza, especially fever, cough, headache, muscle soreness, and fatigue It can block the vicious cycle of multiple pathological links and plays a role in overall regulation and multitarget treatment. LHQW has a significant effect on the treatment of IVP and NCP, but no systematic study has been conducted on the molecular mechanism of LHQW treatment of the two diseases
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