Network Pharmacology-Based Analysis on Lonicera japonica for Chronic Osteomyelitis Treatment

Abstract

Ethnopharmacological Relevance. Lonicera japonica (LJP) is a broadly used traditional Chinese medication treatment for chronic osteomyelitis (COM). But, the main antiosteomyelitis compounds and functional targets of LJP are still unclear. Aim of the Study. To screen LJP drug targets and active compounds in COM treatment. Materials and Methods. Active compounds of LJP were examined established on the analysis platform, Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology (TCMSP) database. DrugBank identified drug targets and annotated them on UniPort and GeneCards. Besides, the COM-related genes were identified on GeneCards. The network of the drug, main active compounds, targets, and diseases was built utilizing Cytoscape. STRING was utilized to build the protein-protein interaction network. Moreover, the KEGG and GO pathway enrichment analysis were applied to analyze biological function. Results. 23 active compounds of LJP were screened, and 204 drug targets and 686 COM-related genes were identified. Forty-five intersection genes were overlapped from 204 drug targets and 686 COM-related genes. The drug-active compounds-target protein-diseases network was established based on 23 active compounds of LJP and 45 intersection genes. Moreover, the interaction of 45 intersection genes was explored by the PPI network, and the drug-active compounds-target protein-diseases network was formed grounded by 23 active compounds of LJP, 45 intersection genes, and PPI network. The KEGG and GO pathway enrichment analysis specified that 45 intersection genes primarily enriched in immune-related pathways and oxidative stress-related pathways. Conclusions. In the research done, the main active compounds of LJP and drug targets in the treatment of COM were identified. Our findings might provide the ingredient option of LJP and drug targets of LJP in COM treatment.