Abstract
Background and Aim Platycodon grandiflorum (PG) has been widely used for treating chronic bronchitis (CB). However, the material basis and underlying mechanism of action of PG against CB have not yet been elucidated.MethodsTo analyze the ingredients in PG, ultraperformance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time-of-flight tandem mass (UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS) technology was performed. Subsequently, using data mining and network pharmacology methodology, combined with Discovery Studio 2016 (DS), Cytoscape v3.7.1, and other software, active ingredients, drug-disease targets, and key pathways of PG in the treatment of CB were evaluated. Finally, the reliability of the core targets was evaluated using molecular docking technology and in vitro studies.ResultsA total of 36 compounds were identified in PG. According to the basic properties of the compounds, 10 major active ingredients, including platycodin D, were obtained. Based on the data mining approach, the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database, and the Analysis Platform (TCMSP), GeneCards, and other databases were used to obtain targets related to the active ingredients of PG and CB. Network analysis was performed on 144 overlapping gene symbols, and twenty core targets, including interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF), which indicated that the potential signaling pathway that was most relevant to the treatment of CB was the IL-17 signaling pathway.ConclusionIn this study, ingredient analysis, network pharmacology analysis, and experiment verification were combined, and revealed that PG can be used to treat CB by reducing inflammation. Our findings provide novel insight into the mechanism of action of Chinese medicine. Furthermore, our data are of value for the research and development of novel drugs and the application thereof.
Highlights
Chronic bronchitis (CB) is chronic, nonspecific inflammation of the trachea, bronchial mucosa, and surrounding tissues, which may be due to infection or noninfection (Malesker et al, 2020)
Ultraperformance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-timeof-flight tandem mass (UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS) is a highthroughput analytical technology that has rapidly developed in the past decade, and is widely used in the fields of environmental science, medicine, drug research, and others (Ren et al, 2020)
A total of 36 chemical constituents were identified in the 50% aqueous methanol extract of Platycodon grandiflorum (PG) based on the reference standards, chromatographic elution behaviors, chemical ingredient, mass fragment patterns as well as mass spectral library with the high resolution UPLC-Q-TOF MS/MS system, including triterpene saponins, flavonoids, phenolic acids, and polyacetylene
Summary
Chronic bronchitis (CB) is chronic, nonspecific inflammation of the trachea, bronchial mucosa, and surrounding tissues, which may be due to infection or noninfection (allergies, oxidative stress) (Malesker et al, 2020). Treatment involving Western medicine mainly uses antiinfective, antiallergic, relieves bronchial smooth muscle spasm and other antitussive, phlegmreducing drugs to treat CB, including ambroxol hydrochloride (Sun et al, 2015), budesonide (Wesseling et al, 1991), and levofloxacin (Blasi et al, 2013). Short-term use of Western medicine may temporarily relieve symptoms, but due to the long course of the disease, long-term use has several shortcomings, including toxic side effects, patient intolerance, and high costs. In view of the shortcomings of Western medicine, it is of utmost importance to develop drugs that can safely and effectively treat CB. For the treatment of CB, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is mainly used to clear the lungs and phlegm, spleen and kidney function, and has effectively relieved symptoms, including cough and phlegm. The material basis and underlying mechanism of action of PG against CB have not yet been elucidated
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