Exploring the Antibacterial and Antiviral Mechanisms of Baiyaozi Via Network Pharmacology

Abstract

This paper aims to analyze the antibacterial and antiviral active components of Baiyaozi and predict its molecular mechanisms via network pharmacology. The Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP) and literature were used to screen active components of Baiyaozi (Radix Stephania cepharantha), and Pubchem and Swiss Target Prediction were used to collect the targets of the active components. The GeneCards database was used to search and screen the antibacterial and antiviral targets, intersecting with the practical components' targets to obtain the antibacterial and antiviral core targets of Baiyaozi. Then, the active ingredients and target genes were introduced into Cytoscape to construct the active component-target network regulation map of Baiyaozi. The STRING database was used for protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis, and the DAVID platform was used to conduct GO functional and KEGG pathway enrichment analyses of common targets. Eight active ingredients of Baiyaozi acted on 67 antibacterial targets and 130 antiviral targets. Cepharanthine, isocorydine, and berberine might be the main antibacterial and antiviral components of Baiyaozi. The GO function and KEGG pathway enrichment analyses of common targets suggested that the antibacterial and antiviral pathways of Baiyao might focus on apoptosis, autophagy, tumor necrosis factor signaling pathway, HIF-1 signaling pathway, and the PI3K-Akt pathway. Also, the comprehensive PPI, GO, and KEGG analysis indicated that HSP90AA1, SRC, and AKT1 might be the main targets. Conclusion: Baiyaozi has multi-component, multi-target, multi-pathway antibacterial and antiviral molecular mechanisms, providing a theoretical reference for further interpretation.