Network pharmacology study of Yinqiao Jiedu Soft Capsules in treatment of COVID-19

ABSTRACT

Objective: To explore the mechanism of Yinqiao Jiedu Soft Capsules in the treatment of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Methods: The interactions between 1 418 compounds of Yinqiao Jiedu Soft Capsules and 48 inflammatory target proteins related to COVID-19 were analyzed by molecule docking. The drug-target network was established to clarify the active compounds and potential targets. Results: The network analysis suggested 50 active compounds of Yinqiao Jiedu Soft Capsules, which were mainly flavonoids and triterpenoids, and 37 potential targets, mainly including MTOR, JAK3, ACE, ACE2, PIK3CA, TNF, AKT2, and MAP2K1. The results of molecular docking exhibited that forsythiaside and vitexin 2″-O-rhamnoside had good affinity with SARS-CoV-2 3CL hydrolase, and glycyrrhizic acid had good affinity with ACE2. Conclusion: The molecular mechanism of Yinqiao Jiedu Soft Capsules for COVID-19 may be involved in interfering SARS-CoV-2 replication and regulating the expression of inflammatory signaling pathway and the secretion of inflammatory cytokines.