Network pharmacology and computer-aided drug design to explored potential targets of Lianhua Qingwen and Qingfei Paidu decoction for COVID-19.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by SARS-CoV-2, has spread globally, affecting people's lives worldwide and hindering global development. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) plays a unique role in preventing and treating COVID-19. Representative prescriptions for the COVID-19 treatment, Lianhua Qingwen (LHQW) and Qingfei Paidu Decoction (QFPD), effectively alleviate COVID-19 symptoms, delaying its progression and preventing its occurrence. Despite the extensive similarity in their therapeutic effects, the mechanisms and advantages of LHQW and QFPD in in treating mild-to-moderate COVID-19 remain elusive. To characterize the mechanisms of LHQW and QFPD in treating COVID-19, we used integrated network pharmacology and system biology to compare the LHQW and QFPD components, active compounds and their targets in Homo sapiens. LHQW and QFPD comprise 196 and 310 active compounds, some of which have identical targets. These targets are enriched in pathways associated with inflammation, immunity, apoptosis, oxidative stress, etc. However, the two TCM formulas also have specific active compounds and targets. In LHQW, arctiin, corymbosin, and aloe-emodin target neurological disease-related genes (GRM1 and GRM5), whereas in QFPD, isofucosterol, baicalein, nobiletin, oroxylin A, epiberberine, and piperlonguminine target immunity- and inflammation-related genes (mTOR and PLA2G4A). Our findings indicate that LHQW may be suitable for treating mild-to-moderate COVID-19 with nervous system symptoms. Moreover, QFPD may effectively regulate oxidative stress damage and inflammatory symptoms induced by SARS-CoV-2. These findings may provide references for the clinical application of LHQW and QFPD.

Thinking and teaching adjustment of Virus Biology upon fighting against COVID-19

COVID-19 is threatening the public health in China and oversea in the spring of 2020. During fighting against COVID-19, course teaching of Virus Biology for bachelor students in the school of life sciences has been adjusted to the new situation in the following aspects, aiming to help students establish scientific and rational viewpoints on the pandemic situation: Besides applying online teaching mode instead of offline mode, teaching contents on virology, epidemiology and public health were strengthened further. Besides the special speech on COVID-19 in the beginning of the new semester, a 5-min talk on COVID-19 has been presented for whole semester. These measurements during teaching of Virus Biology helped students understand scientifically and rationally this pandemic caused by virus infection and spreading. These teaching adjustments were necessary to inspire more interest in virology amongst students, epidemiology and public health, and will be improved with the change of this epidemic situation in China and oversea.