To explore the material basis and mechanism of Lianhua Qingwen Prescription against COVID-19 based on network pharmacology

Abstract

Objective: In the treatment of COVID-19, the application of Lianhua Qingwen Prescription has become growingly widespread, however, the mechanism of action is still unclear. To explore the material basis and mechanism of Lianhua Qingwen Prescription against SARS-CoV-2, to provide a reference for the treatment of COVID-19.Methods: Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP), SwissTargetPrediction, and Similarity Ensemble Approach (SEA) database were used to search the chemical constituents and targets of Lianhua Qingwen Prescription. The targets of COVID-19 were screened by GeneCards, Therapeutic Target Database (TTD), and Comparative Toxicogenomics Database (CTD). Cytoscape software was used to construct a “drug-component-target” network diagram and the mechanism of action was predicted by enrichment analysis.Results: Two hundred and twenty four active components, 246 drug therapeutic targets, and 16,611 potential targets of Lianhua Qingwen Prescription were mined out. Moreover, 163 common targets were obtained, including PTGS2, IL6, CASP3, mapk1, EGFR, ACE2, etc. Thirty seven items were obtained by Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis, mainly involving T-cell activation, virus receptor, and inflammatory reaction, etc. One hundred and forty items were obtained by Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enriched analysis, including TNF signaling pathway, MAPK signaling pathway, and IL-17 signaling pathway.Conclusion: Compounds such as quercetin and kaempferol play an important role in anti-COVID-19 through the TNF signaling pathway and MAPK signaling pathway.