Screening for Anti-Inflammation Quality Markers of Lianhua Qingwen Capsule Based on Network Pharmacology, UPLC, and Biological Activity.

Yongfeng Zhou,Dingkun Zhang,Qinghua Wu,Ming Niu,Jin Pei,Zhenxing Liu,Ping Zhang,Jiang Chen,Haizhu Zhang

doi:10.3389/fphar.2021.648439

Yongfeng Zhou, Dingkun Zhang + Show 7 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2021.648439

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Abstract

Influenza is a common respiratory infectious disease. In China, Lianhua Qingwen capsule (LHQWC), a drug with significant clinical efficacy and few side effects, is commonly used to treat influenza. However, the composition of LHQWC is complicated, and currently used quality control methods cannot ensure its consistency. In this study, combined with its clinical efficacy, the targets of LHQWC were screened using network pharmacology. Then, anti-inflammation quality markers of LHQWC were screened and judged by combined chemical with biological evaluation. Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) was identified as one of the main targets of the anti-inflammatory activity of LHQWC. The rate of inhibition of COX-2 by different batches of LHQWC was determined. Furthermore, seven components of LHQWC were identified. The potential quality markers were screened by spectral-effect relationship. As a result, chlorogenic acid, isochlorogenic acid B, and isochlorogenic acid C were identified and confirmed as anti-inflammatory quality markers of LHQWC. We hope that these findings provide a scientific basis for the accurate quality control of LHQWC and serve as a reference for the quality control of other drugs.

Highlights

Influenza is an infectious, acute respiratory disease caused by the influenza virus (Guo et al, 2020; Jané et al, 2019)
Seven types of chemical components in different batches of Lianhua Qingwen capsule (LHQWC) were different based on ultra performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) results
The quality of a Chinese patent medicine is mainly determined by its active ingredients

Summary

Introduction

Acute respiratory disease caused by the influenza virus (Guo et al, 2020; Jané et al, 2019). The influenza virus, primarily transmitted by droplets, is highly infectious and was the first infectious disease to be monitored globally (Wang et al, 2012; Wang, 2018). As a result of advancements in medicine and social development, medical and health services have significantly improved. The control of influenza remains a challenge. There are 3–5 million cases of severe influenza worldwide every year, among which 290,000–650,000 patients die from flu-related respiratory diseases. Influenza epidemics have seriously threatened the safety of people across the world (Harper et al, 2009; Iuliano et al, 2018; Grohskopf et al, 2020)

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