Mechanisms of Inhibitory and Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Aloe-Emodin Against Multidrug-Resistant Escherichia coli: A Network Pharmacology and Molecular Dynamics Approach

Abstract

Aloe vera is an important raw material for medicine and food, and aloe-emodin (AE) is one of the main extracts of Aloe vera. The aim of this study was to investigate the inhibitory effect of AE on multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli (MDR-E. coli) and the anti-inflammatory mechanism of this pathogenic bacterial infection. The minimum inhibitory concentration of AE against MDR-E. coli was determined in vitro. The potential therapeutic targets and signaling pathways of AE on inflammation were predicted by network pharmacology, and a mouse infection model was constructed by intraperitoneal injection of pathogenic bacteria and treated with AE. The results showed that AE had a better bacteriostatic effect and modulated the inflammatory response by affecting the expression of multiple inflammatory factors, and AE treatment significantly reduced symptoms such as inflammation, organ swelling, and bacterial load in the mouse model. The results suggest that AE may be an important active ingredient for Aloe vera to exert therapeutic health effects.