The Mechanism of Chaiyin Particles in the Treatment of COVID-19 Based on Network Pharmacology and Experimental Verification

ABSTRACT

Objective: To explore the potential active components of Chaiyin particles (CYPs) in the treatment of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and their mechanism of action using network pharmacology and molecular docking technology. Methods: Based on the components of CYPs, we obtained potential targets of the interaction between CYPs and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The potential targets were analyzed by protein-protein interaction, gene ontology, and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analyses. The key active components of CYPs were subjected to molecular docking with 3-chymotrypsin-like protease, angiotensin-converting enzyme II (ACE2), RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, and papain-like protease. The components that may bind to the key target proteins of SARS-CoV-2 were screened to obtain the potential active components, targets and pathways for CYP treatment of COVID-19. The above-described network analysis results were then verified experimentally. Results: CYPs may prevent and treat COVID-19 by inhibiting the release of inflammatory factors such as IL-6 and TNF-alpha;participating in the AGE-Rage signaling pathway, the HIF-1 signaling pathway, and other anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and immune regulatory signaling pathways;and blocking ACE2 via fortunellin and baicalin. Conclusion: This work illustrated that CYPs mainly play an anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory role in COVID-19 prevention and treatment. The potential active components and molecular mechanism of CYPs can provide theoretical support and a pharmacological basis for further development and utilization of CYPs in the prevention and treatment of COVID-19. These results provide important insights into future studies of Traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) modernization and prevention.