To uncover the underlying mechanisms of action of the Yinlai decoction on high-calorie diet-induced pneumonia through proteomics analysis.

Based on the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database, lung tissue samples from normal and high-fat diet (HFD) fed mice in the GSE16377 dataset were selected as test cohorts to identify differentially expressed genes and conduct bioinformatics analyses. In the animal experiments, mice were randomly divided into the control (N), high-calorie diet pneumonia (M), and Yinlai decoction treatment (Y) groups. Mice in the M group received high-calorie feed and a 0.5 mg/mL lipopolysaccharide solution spray for 30 min for 3 d. The mice in the Y group were intragastrically administered 2 mL/10 g Yinlai decoction twice daily for 3 d. Pathological evaluation of the lung tissue was performed. Differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) in the lung tissue were identified using quantitative proteomics and bioinformatics analyses. The drug-target relationships between Yinlai decoction and core DEPs in the lung tissue were verified using AutoDock Vina and Molecular Graphics Laboratory (MGL) Tools. DEPs were verified by western blot.

GEO data mining showed that an HFD altered oxidative phosphorylation in mouse lung tissue. The Yinlai decoction alleviated pathological damage to lung tissue and pneumonia in mice that were fed a high-calorie diet. A total of 47 DEPs were identified between the Y and M groups. Enrichment analysis revealed their association with energy metabolism pathways such as the tricarboxylic acid cycle (TCA) and oxidative phosphorylation. The protein-protein interaction network revealed that Atp5a1, Pdha1, and Sdha were the target proteins mediating the therapeutic effects of Yinlai decoction. Molecular docking results suggested that the mechanism of the therapeutic effect of Yinlai decoction involves the binding of brassinolide, praeruptorin B, chrysoeriol, and other components in Yinlai decoction to Atp5a1.

The Yinlai decoction alleviated lung tissue damage and pneumonia in mice that were fed a high-calorie diet by regulating the TCA and oxidative phosphorylation. Our study highlights the importance of a healthy diet for patients with pneumonia and provides a scientific basis for the prevention and treatment of pneumonia through dietary adjustments.

Bushen Chengyun granule (BCG) is an empirical treatment for female infertility (FI) caused by low endometrial receptivity (LER) involving a poorly understood mechanism. In this study, network pharmacology was used to explore the potential therapeutic mechanism of BCG on FI caused by LER.

The corresponding herb targets were obtained by conducting a search in the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and PubMed-reported literature. Disease targets were obtained from the following databases: Comparative Toxicogenomics Database, Human Phenotype Ontology, and Therapeutic Target Database. Treatments for LER using BCG have used target matching (BCG – LER target). Then, the predicted targets were uploaded to the Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes/Proteins database for gene ontology enrichment and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analyses. Furthermore, triptorelin acetate for injection + menotrophin + chorionic gonadotropin for injection were used to establish a mouse model of blastocyst implantation disorder and to evaluate the in vivo effect of BCG on blastocyst implantation.

Overall, 156 bioactive chemical components and 1092 targets of BCG were identified. The results indicated that 482 biological processes (FDR < 0.01) and 15 pathways (FDR < 0.01) related to BCG participated in the complex treatment effects and were associated with the endocrine system, inflammatory responses, metabolism, apoptosis, ovulatory performance, and angiogenesis. Moreover, 16 hub nodes of BCG including estrogen receptor (ESR1), estrogen receptor beta (ESR2), progesterone receptor, et al, were recognized as potential treatment targets and might help clarify the underlying therapeutic mechanisms of BCG for female infertility. BCG significantly increased the protein expressions of estrogen receptors and progesterone receptors.

These findings reveal the potential therapeutic mechanism of BCG for female infertility involves low endometrial receptivity, which should be evaluated further.

Pediatric pneumonia is a common respiratory disease and Yinlai Decoction (YLD) is a commonly used treatment in China. We explored the anti-inflammatory mechanism of action of this traditional Chinese medicine for pneumonia.

We studied, by experimentation, the mechanism of action of YLD in treating pneumonia according to network pharmacology. By comparing YLD with dexamethasone (DXMS), we investigated the efficacy of YLD in treating pneumonia induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in juvenile rats.

In an aqueous extract of YLD, 22 chemical compounds were identified, among which 10 were related to inflammation, involving 78 target genes and 16 signaling pathways. Among them, 45 core target proteins were related to biologic processes and functions, such as response to stimuli, biologic regulation, cell communication and protein binding. Animal experiments showed that YLD relieved pulmonary inflammation and demonstrated no significant damage to the liver, spleen or kidneys of rats. YLD could regulate expression of inflammatory cytokines in serum and inflammation-related proteins in lung tissues to some extent, but its effect is less significant than that of DXMS.

YLD protected juvenile rats against LPS-induced pneumonia, and showed fewer side effects in comparison with DXMS. YLD could be efficacious treatment for pediatric respiratory infections and even pneumonia.