Application of Network Pharmacology in Elucidating Molecular Mechanisms of Traditional Drugs for Pulmonary Fibrosis

Traditional medicines used for respiratory problems have been found beneficial in pulmonary fibrosis. However, traditional medicines are looked down upon compared to conventional therapy, due to the multiple components that face difficulty in predicting their efficacy. Network pharmacology uses biological databases, bioinformatics, and computational models for diseases and drugs to provide molecular mechanisms. This review aims to compile the articles on network pharmacology applied to discover the molecular mechanisms of traditional medicines and discuss limitations and future aspects in treating the complex pathophysiology of pulmonary fibrosis. Literatures were shortlisted from Scopus, Web of Science, and PubMed by utilizing the PRISMA search strategy. The term network pharmacology was coined in 2007. Hence, the publications from 2007 to June 2024 were considered. Many traditional medicines were widely used therapeutically and have been established for molecular mechanisms with this approach, supported by in vitro or in vivo models. Formulations from Traditional Chinese Medicine are highly explored for treating pulmonary fibrosis. However, other traditional medicines, such as Ayurveda, must be pitched to rediscover the rich heritage of knowledge. Many of the studies lack the appropriate techniques, such as characterization, bioinformatics, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics utilization. Studies that followed this approach in preclinical evaluation support scientific evidence for clinical applications. The broad-spectrum application of network pharmacology is needed to provide a theoretical underpinning for safe drug development with its holistic approach and promising preclinical results, offering potential as complementary therapies with multiple drug targets in pulmonary fibrosis. Adopting broad-spectrum techniques, a few traditional medicines have started clinical trials and enhanced respiratory functions. By resolving the interlinks that exist in the progression of the disease, focusing on the limitations and application of this broad approach will bring about future therapeutics.