BackgroundNetwork pharmacology was used to study Rhein -target-pathway and to clarify its anti-inflammatory mechanism in the treatment of asthma.and provide a new idea for the treatment of asthmaMethodsThis method, which allows using network pharmacology to figure out the operational mechanism of Rhein-Target-Pathway, defines the effect of anti-inflammatory in treating asthma. The platform of Traditional Chinese Medicine Molecular Mechanism Bioinformatics, a web server for network, is used to get the corresponding target of Rhein and permit molecular docking. Cytoscape3.7.1, a kind of network software, is used to construct Rhein-predicted target network and analyse network topology. Search anti-inflammatory targets in the database of TTD and then construct the PPI network as well as create protein interaction networks that are combined with the Rhein-predicted target network. The anti-inflammatory targets of Rhein should be presented. The asthma genes of human being can be attained from the database of NCBI Gene Database and construct correspondence vivo response network model. Find Anti-inflammatory targets of Rhein against asthma, screen anti-inflammatory targets of Rhein related with Pathogenesis of asthma. Enrichr database is used to analyse signal pathway from anti-inflammatory targets of Rhein KEGG.ResultsAccording to the study, Rhein corresponds to 17 target proteins, four anti-inflammatory targets of Rhein related to asthma(MAPK14, EGFR, ERBB2, TNFRSF1A) are probably the most important targets where asthma is treated by Rhein.ConclusionsThese four anti-inflammatory targets of Rhein related to asthma are probably the key targets in the treatment of asthma by using Rhein. For the purpose of preventing the occurrence as well as development of asthma and delaying the progress of the disease, one or some of the four anti-inflammatory targets of Rhein related to asthma can be controlled.

Background: Network pharmacological methods were used to predict the anti-inflammatory targets and related pathways of rhein in the treatment of asthma and to elucidate its mechanism of action. In addition, we validated the anti-inflammatory effects of rhein in vitro.Methods: The corresponding targets of rhein were obtained from the TCMSP database, and molecular docking was performed. A network of predicted rhein targets was established and analysed with Cytoscape 3.7.1. The anti-inflammatory targets in the TTD database were searched to build a PPI network, which was merged with the ingredient-target network to screen anti-inflammatory targets associated with rhein. A network of anti-inflammatory rhein targets during the in vivo treatment of asthma was constructed to screen the anti-inflammatory targets related to asthma. KEGG enrichment analysis was performed with the Enrichr database and Cytoscape 3.7.1. The expression levels of proteins in the MAPK/NF-κB signalling pathway were assessed by Western blot analysis.Results: Altogether, 17 targets were obtained. Epidermal active growth factor receptor (EGFR), E-selectin (SELE), macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF), and mitogen-activated protein kinase 14 (MAPK14) might be important anti-inflammatory targets of rhein during asthma treatment. We selected the MAPK signalling pathway to determine the anti-inflammatory effects of rhein.Conclusion: The anti-inflammatory mechanism of the treatment of asthma with rhein may be related to MAPK14, EGFR, SELE, and MIF, as well as their signalling pathways. To prevent the exacerbation of asthma, instead of targeting a single pathway or a single target, all these targets and their signalling pathways should be controlled holistically. Rhein may reduce inflammation by inhibiting the MAPK/NF-κB pathway.

Background: Network pharmacological methods were used to predict the anti-inflammatory targets and related pathways of rhein in the treatment of asthma, and to elucidate its mechanism of action. In addition, we validated the anti-inflammatory effects of rhein in HBE cells. Methods: The corresponding targets of rhein were obtained from the TCMSP 2.3, and molecular docking was also performed. A network of predicted rhein targets was established and analysed with Cytoscape 3.7.1. The anti-inflammatory targets in the TTD database were searched to build a PPI network, which was merged with the ingredient-target network to screen anti-inflammatory targets associated with rhein. A network of anti-inflammatory rhein targets during the in vivo treatment of asthma was constructed to screen the anti-inflammatory targets related to asthma. KEGG enrichment analysis was performed with the Enrichr database and Cytoscape 3.7.1. The expression levels of proteins in the MAPK/NF-κB signalling pathway were assessed by western blot analysis. Results: Altogether, 17 targets were obtained. Epidermal active growth factor receptor (EGFR), E-selecting (E-SELE), macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF), and mitogen-activated protein kinase 14 (MAPK14) might be important anti-inflammatory targets of rhein during asthma treatment. We selected the MAPK signalling pathway to determine the anti-inflammatory effects of rhein. Conclusion: The anti-inflammatory mechanism of the treatment of asthma with rhein may be related to MAPK14, EGFR, E-SELE and MIF as well as their signalling pathways. To prevent the exacerbation of asthma, instead of targeting a single pathway or a single target, all these targets and their signalling pathways should be controlled holistically. Rhein may reduce inflammation by inhibiting the MAPK/NF-κB pathway.