Abstract
Objective: To explore the molecular mechanism of Belamcandae Rhizoma and Ephedrae Herba cou-plet medicines (BREHCM) on bronchitis based on molecular docking technology and network pharmacology. Methods: The active components were searched using the traditional Chinese Medi-cine Systems Pharmacology Database Analysis Platform (TCMSP). Gene Cards database was used to screen bronchitis disease targets. The STRING database and Cytoscape were applied to construct the couplet medicines with bronchitis action target network and protein interaction network (PPI). Molecular docking validation of the core components with key targets was performed using Auto-dock Vina. David (v6.8) was used to perform target Gene Ontology (GO) and KEGG pathway analysis. Results: The main active components of BREHCM are quercetin, luteolin, kaempferol, naringin and isorhamnetin. The key targets for bronchitis are TNF, IL-6, IL-1B, mapk1 and VEGFA. The results of molecular docking verification show that the core components can fully combine with the key tar-gets and play a role. Candidate targets mainly enrich TNF signaling pathway, HIF-1 signaling path-way, FoxO signaling pathway and nod like receptor signaling pathway. BREHCM can reduce the contents of immune proteins IgA, IgM, IgG and immune factors IL-1, IL-6 and TNF-a in the blood of rats with bronchopneumonia. Conclusion: The core active ingredients of BREHCM are quercetin, lu-teolin, kaempferol, naringenin, and isorhamnetin, which may regulate TNF signaling pathway, HIF-1 signaling pathway, FoxO signaling pathway, and NOD-like receptor signaling pathway to exert therapeutic effects on bronchitis.