Exploring the Therapeutic Effect of Quercetin in Asthma and Pulmonary Fibrosis Overlap Syndrome Post-COVID-19

Abstract

Backgrounds: Quercetin has potentially beneficial therapeutic effects for several chronic, inflammatory disorders of the airways. Thus, we explore the therapeutic value and mechanism of quercetin in the treatment of asthma and pulmonary fibrosis overlap syndrome after COVID-19.

Methods: The potential targets and molecular mechanisms of quercetin for the treatment of overlap syndrome were predicted using a network pharmacology method. The binding mechanism between the core potential compounds and their targets was predicted using molecular docking with AutoDock Vina. An asthma model induced by ovalbumin was built to evaluate the effect of quercetin on asthma.

Results: 55 common targets and eight key genes between the overlap syndrome and quercetin were obtained for further study. Most of the interested target genes were mainly focused on inflammation-related signaling pathways. Via molecular docking, quercetin showed a high degree of affinity for TNF, IL-6, and MMP9. In addition, quercetin improved asthma symptoms, inflammatory response, and pulmonary fibrosis.

Conclusion: This study, which examined the use of quercetin for the treatment of the overlap syndrome of asthma and pulmonary fibrosis following COVID-19 from the aspect of network pharmacology, might serve as a useful guidepost for future studies and clinical applications.