ABSTRACT
Background The emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2 or COVID-19) disease has led to a wide-spread global pandemic. There is no specific antiviral drug proven effective for the treatment of patients with COVID-19 at present. Combination of western and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is recommended, and Lian Hua Qing Wen (LHQW) capsule is a basic prescription and widely used to treat COVID-19 in China. However, the mechanisms of LHQW capsule treating COVID-19 are not clear. The aim of the study is to explore the mechanisms of LHQW capsule treating COVID-19 based on network pharmacy and molecular docking approach. Methods The active compounds and targets of LHQW capsule were obtained from traditional Chinese medicine systems pharmacology database and analysis platform (TCMSP). COVID-19 related target genes were obtained from GeneCards database and OMIM database. Protein–protein interaction (PPI) networks of LHQW capsule targets and COVID-19-related genes were visualized and merged to identify the candidate targets for LHQW capsule treating COVID-19. Gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis were also performed. The hub genes involved in the gene-related pathways were screened and their corresponding compounds were used for in vitro validation of molecular docking predictions.Results A total of 185 active compounds of LHQW capsule were screened out, and 263 targets were predicted. Third hundred and fifty-two COVID-19 related target genes were obtained from GeneCards database and OMIM database. GO functional enrichment analysis showed that the biological processes of LHQW capsule treating COVID-19 were closely linked with the regulation of inflammation, immunity, cytokines production, vascular permeability, oxidative stress and apoptosis. KEGG enrichment analysis revealed that the pathways of LHQW capsule treating COVID-19 were significantly enriched in AGE−RAGE signaling pathway in diabetic complications, Kaposi sarcoma−associated herpesvirus infection, TNF, IL−17, and Toll−like receptor (TLR) signaling pathway. The hub targets genes in the gene-related pathways analysis of LHQW capsule treating COVID-19 included MAPK1, MAPK3, RELA, IL-6 and CASP8, which closely associated with inflammation, cytokines storm and apoptosis. Finally, molecular docking showed that top 5 compounds of LHQW capsule also had good binding activities to the important targets in COVID-19.Conclusions The mechanisms of LHQW capsule treating COVID-19 may involve in inhibiting inflammatory response, cytokine storm and virus infection, and regulating immune reactions, apoptosis and endothelial barrier.