Molecular mechanism of Herba Eupatorii in treating COVID-19 based on network pharmacology and molecular docking

摘要

Objective:To explore the therapeutic target and molecular mechanism of Herba Eupatorii in the intervention of COVID-19(coronavirus disease 2019)by network pharmacology.Methods:TCMSP(Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform)and TCMIP V2.0(Integrative Pharmacology-based Research Platform of Traditional Chinese Medicine)databases were used to search the active ingredients and corresponding drug targets of Herba Eupatorii.Related targets of COVID-19 were searched in Genecards,pharmGKB,CTD,Drugbank and TTD databases.After the intersection targets were selected using VENNY 2.1 online platform,the PPI(protein-protein interaction)network was downloaded into STRING database,and the data were analyzed and sorted out using Cytoscape software to obtain the potential key targets for the treatment of COVID-19 by Herba Eupatorii.At the same time,using the data of active ingredients and intersection targets,a network of"TCM-active ingredients-key targets"was constructed in Cytoscape software to screen out chemical molecules with potential therapeutic effects.GO(Gene Ontology)functional enrichment analysis and KEGG(Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes)pathway enrichment analysis of key target proteins were performed by R software.AutoDock Vina program was used for molecular docking of the top 5 active ingredients and key targets to calculate the minimum binding energy.Results:There were 26 active ingredients,160 targets,and 1969 pathogenic genes of COVID-19,among which 59 genes were intersection targets of drugs and diseases.After PPI network screening,the key target proteins were AKT1(RAC-alpha serine/threonine-protein kinase),JUN(transcription factor AP-1),TP53(cellular tumor antigen p53),ACTB(actin beta)and EGFR(epidermal growth factor receptor).Through the network of"TCM-Active Ingredients-Key Targets",Luteolin,Eupatolin,Stigmasterol,Eupatoriopicrin and Dammaradienyl acetate were identified as the active ingredients with potential therapeutic effects in the treatment of COVID-19.After R software was used for GO enrichment analysis,1978 GO items were obtained(P<0.05),including 1870 BP items,26 CC items and 82 MF items.149 pathways were obtained by KEGG enrichment analysis(P<0.05).It mainly involves IL-17(interleukin-17)signaling pathway,TNF(tumor necrosis factor)signaling pathway,C-type lectin receptor signaling pathway,PI3K-Akt(phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase-protein kinase B)signaling pathway,and T Cell receptor signaling pathway,etc.The molecular docking results showed that the active ingredients had good binding activity with key targets.Conclusion:Through the potential chemical constituents of Luteolin,Eupatolin,Stigmasterol,Eupatoriopicrin and Dammaradienyl acetate,Herba Eupatorii may act on AKT1,JUN,TP53,ACTB,EGFR and other targets.Involvement in IL-17 signaling pathway,TNF signaling pathway,C-Type Lectin receptor signaling pathway,PI3K-Akt signaling pathway,T Cell receptor signaling pathway and other pathways play an anti-inflammatory and antiviral roles in intervening in the occurrence and development of COVID-19.