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Network Pharmacology and bioinformatics analyses identify intersection genes of niacin and COVID-19 as potential

Rong Li1, Yu Li1, Xiao Liang1

  • 1Gyuilin Medical University.

Briefings in Bioinformatics
|November 10, 2020
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Niacin shows potential as a dual therapy for colorectal cancer (CRC) and coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) by protecting cells and modulating immune responses. Further clinical validation is needed to confirm its efficacy in treating these conditions.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Virology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Colorectal cancer (CRC) patients face increased susceptibility to coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19).
  • Current treatment options for combined CRC and COVID-19 are limited.
  • Niacin, a vitamin, possesses known cytoprotective and anti-inflammatory properties.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the potential therapeutic roles and mechanisms of niacin in treating CRC and COVID-19.
  • To explore niacin's functional roles and underlying actions against both diseases.

Main Methods:

  • Employed network pharmacology and computational analyses.
  • Conducted molecular docking to assess niacin's binding capacity.
  • Characterized niacin's biological functions, targets, and therapeutic pathways in CRC/COVID-19.

Main Results:

  • Niacin demonstrated effective binding capacity against COVID-19.
  • Identified key targets including BCL2L1, PTGS2, IL1B, IFNG, and SERPINE1.
  • Niacin may treat CRC/COVID-19 via cytoprotection, immune enhancement, inflammation inhibition, and microenvironment regulation.

Conclusions:

  • This study first identified niacin's molecular functions and targets for CRC/COVID-19 treatment.
  • Findings suggest niacin's potential as a therapeutic agent for CRC and COVID-19.
  • Further clinical investigation is required to validate niacin's efficacy in CRC patients with COVID-19.
Keywords:
COVID-19colorectal neoplasmscomputational biologynetwork pharmacologyniacinprognosis

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