Exploring the role of Xingren on COVID-19 based on network pharmacology and molecular docking

Since the outbreak of novel Coronavirus Pneumonia 2019 (COVID-19), the role of Almonds (Xingren) in the protection and treatment of COVID-19 is not clear. Network pharmacology and molecular docking were used to explore the potential mechanism and potential key targets of Xingren on COVID-19. A total of nine common targets between them were obtained, and these targets were involved in multiple related processes of GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis. Molecular docking showed that licochalcone B has the best binding energy (-9.33 kJ·mol^-1 ) to PTGS2. They are maybe the important ingredient and key potential target. Its possible mechanism is to intervene anxiety disorder in the process of disease development, such as regulation of blood pressure, reactive oxygen species metabolic process, leishmaniasis peroxisome, and IL-17 signaling pathway. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Xingren is a traditional Chinese medicine that has been used and developed in China for many years. It contains a variety of active ingredients and also has the functions of relieving cough, relieving asthma, enhancing human immunity, delaying aging, regulating blood lipids, nourishing brain, and improving intelligence. In this article, the possible mechanisms of action and important targets of Xingren in the prevention and treatment of COVID-19 were discussed through network pharmacology and molecular docking. We also found that active ingredient licochalcone B and the potential target PTGS2 are worthy of further research and analysis. At the same time, the study also provides a theoretical basis and reference for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19 and the development of new drugs.