The mechanism of Andrographis paniculata (Burm.f.) Wall. ex Nees on upper respiratory infection by network pharmacology and molecular docking

Context: In Chinese medicine, and Ayurvedic, Andrographis paniculata is traditionally employed as a remedy for colds and influenza, particularly to alleviate fever linked with infectious illnesses like upper respiratory infections (URIs). Aims: To determine the potential anti-infective mechanisms of A. paniculata on upper respiratory infections through network pharmacology and docking modeling. Methods: Initially, active chemical constituents of A. paniculata were identified using the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology database. Subsequently, the target genes of these active ingredients were determined by the UniProtKB database, while target genes related to upper respiratory infections were identified through the GeneCards database. The compound-target network of AP was constructed by the Cytoscape. The protein-protein interaction network was generated using the STRING database. Further analysis was conducted through the DAVID database, integrating Gene Ontology and KEGG pathway enrichment analyses. Results: Twenty-two active components of A. paniculata and highlighted key pathways such as the TNF signaling pathway, IL-17 signaling pathway, and human cytomegalovirus infection are potentially crucial for URIs treatment. Additionally, target genes of A. paniculata, including TNF, IL6, AKT1, TP53, CXCL8, CASP3, and PTGS2, were identified as significant in regulating these biological processes and pathways. Conclusions: This study provides valuable insights into the mechanism of A. paniculata in treating URIs, laying the groundwork for further research in this area.