A Network Pharmacology and Molecular Dynamics Simulation-Based Study of Qing Run Hua Jie Decoction in Interstitial Pneumonia Treatment

Chunxiang Li,1,* Yingbin Lian,1,* Yaoshen Lin,1 Zhihua Li2 1Department of Integrative Medicine Oncology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Quanzhou, Fujian, 362000, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Oncology, Zhangzhou Second Hospital, Zhangzhou, Fujian, 363199, People’s Republic of China*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Zhihua Li, Department of Oncology, Zhangzhou Second Hospital, No. 35, Ziwei Road, Shima Town, Longhai District, Zhangzhou, Fujian, 363199, People’s Republic of China, Tel +86-13459666448, Email zhihua_leeee@163.comObjective: This study is dedicated to revealing the potential mechanism of Qin Run Hua Jie (QRHJ) decoction in Interstitial pneumonia (IP) treatment.Methods: The TCMSP database predicted the chemical components and targets of QRHJ decoction, and the IP-related genes were from the Genecards database. Cytoscape software was used to establish the interaction network. R package clusterProfiler was utilized for Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis. The molecular docking analysis of target proteins and the corresponding active pharmaceutical ingredients in the core position of the interaction network was conducted. Then, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of a potential active substance and its key targets were performed. The binding efficiency of EGFR and luteolin, HIF1A and diosgenin was detected by cellular thermal shift assay (CETSA), and protein expression was measured by Western blot. CCK-8 was used to detect cell activity.Results: A total of 153 active ingredients, 127 targets and 362 IP-related genes were obtained. KEGG enrichment analysis identified IP-related signaling pathways including HIF-1 signaling pathway and TNF signaling pathway. The two key components luteolin and diosgenin stably bound to the key targets EGFR and HIF1A. Cell experiments further showed that EGFR and luteolin, HIF1A and diosgenin bound to exert anti-fibrotic effects.Conclusion: As an active ingredient of QRHJ decoction, luteolin and diosgenin may exert therapeutic effect on IP through binding to the key target EGFR and HIF1A. This work initially revealed the key molecular mechanism of QRHJ decoction in IP treatment and offered theoretical evidence.Keywords: Qing Run Hua Jie decoction, interstitial pneumonia, network pharmacology, molecular docking, molecular dynamics