Network Pharmacology and Molecular Docking Reveal Anti-Asthmatic Potential of Zephyranthes rosea Lindl. in an Ovalbumin-Induced Asthma Model.

Background

This study aimed to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effects of a Zephyranthes rosea in an ovalbumin-induced asthma model.

Methods

Allergic asthma was induced in mice via intraperitoneal injection, followed by intranasal ovalbumin challenge. Methanolic extract of Z. rosea bulb was orally administered to asthmatic mice for 14 days. Hematological parameters for bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and blood were analyzed. The mRNA expression levels of interleukins and transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β1) in lung tissues were determined using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Network pharmacology analysis was used to find possible Z. rosea targets. After building a protein-protein interaction network to find hub genes, GO and KEGG enrichment analyses were carried out to determine the potential mechanism. In silico analysis was performed by Molecular Operating Environment.

Results

GC-MS analysis of Z. rosea extract detected major classes of phytochemicals. Hematological parameters in blood and BALF from Z. rosea extract-treated animals were significantly reduced in a dose-dependent fashion. Histopathology revealed that Z. rosea bulb had an ameliorative effect on lung tissues. Moreover, treatment with Z. rosea bulb extract significantly restored the normal levels of IL-4, IL-6, IL-1β, IL-10, IL-13, and TGF-β1 in allergic asthmatic mice compared to the diseased group. In silico analysis, particularly of the binding affinities of Z. rosea bulb phytoconstituents for IL6, AKT1, and Src, supported in vivo results.

Conclusions

These findings indicated that Z. rosea bulb extract significantly ameliorates cellular and molecular biomarkers of bronchial inflammation and could be a potential candidate for treating allergic asthma.