Investigating mechanisms of Sophora davidii (Franch.) skeels flower extract in treating LPS-induced acute pneumonia based on network pharmacology

In TCM opinion, most of pneumonia is related to "lung heat". Sophora davidii (Franch.) Skeels flower was first documented in "Guizhou Herbal Medicine", and was recorded as having functions of clearing heat, detoxifying, and cooling blood. It can be used to treat lung heat cough. To investigate main mechanisms of Sophora davidii flower extract (SDFE) in Treating LPS-induced acute Pneumonia. Acute pneumonia models on BEAS-2B cells and rats were established using LPS. The rat model was used to verified the protective effects of SDFE through HE staining, lung tissue W/D ratio assay, white blood cell count analysis, and ammonia-induced coughing test. Network pharmacology was applied to predict the active compounds, core targets and main pathways of SDFE in treating acute pneumonia. Western Blot and ELISA kits were employed to validate representative proteins in selected pathway in vivo and in vitro. HE staining, lung tissue W/D ratio assay, white blood cell count analysis, and ammonia-induced coughing test showed SDFE could improve pathological features (leukocyte infiltration, pulmonary edema, lung injury and cough). Network pharmacology indicated MAPK/NF-κB pathway was the most relevant pathway. SDFE could significantly inhibit the expression of Fos and Jun, and the phosphorylation levels of p38, ERK, JNK, NF-κB and IκB. It also down-regulated the expression of pro-inflammatory factors (TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β). SDFE can exert protective effects against acute pneumonia through the MAPK/NF-κB signaling pathway. [Display omitted] •SDFE effectively improves symptoms of LPS-induced acute pneumonia in rats.•SDFE inhibits key pro-inflammatory factors (IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α) and exhibits significant anti-inflammatory effects.•SDFE suppresses the MAPK/NF-κB pathway by inhibiting the expression of Fos, Jun, and phosphorylation of p38, ERK, JNK, NF-κB, and IκB.•Network pharmacology was applied to predict the core targets and main pathways of SDFE in treating acute pneumonia.