Exploring the efficacy and molecular mechanism of Danhong injection comprehensively in the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis by combining meta-analysis, network pharmacology, and molecular docking methods

source extracted confidence: high 2026-04-09
#drugs-chinese-herbal #humans #idiopathic-pulmonary-fibrosis #molecular-docking-simulation #network-pharmacology

Exploring the efficacy and molecular mechanism of Danhong injection comprehensively in the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis by combining meta-analysis, network pharmacology, and molecular docking methods

Wu et al., 2024 | Medicine (Baltimore) | Meta Analysis

Citation

Wu Xiaozheng, Li Wen, ... Chen Yunzhi. Exploring the efficacy and molecular mechanism of Danhong injection comprehensively in the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis by combining meta-analysis, network pharmacology, and molecular docking methods. Medicine (Baltimore). 2024-May-10;103(19):e38133. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000038133

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Danhong injection, a compound injection of Chinese herbal medicine, has been widely used in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) at present as an adjuvant treatment. However, the clinical efficacy and molecular mechanism of IPF are still unclear. This study will evaluate and explore the clinical efficacy and molecular mechanism of Danhong injection in the treatment of IPF. METHODS: In meta-analysis, the computer was used to search 8 databases (PubMed, EMbase, CENTRAL, MEDLINE, CBM, CNKI, WanFang, and VIP) to collect the RCTs, and RevMan 5.3 and Stata 14.0 were used for statistical analysis. It has been registered on PROSPERO: CRD42020221096. In network pharmacology, the main chemical components and targets of the chemical components of Danhong injection were obtained in TCMSP and Swiss Target Prediction databases. The main targets of IPF were obtained through Gencards, Disgenet, OMIM, TTD, and DRUGBANK databases. The String platform was used to construct PPI networks. Cytoscape 3.8.2 was used to construct the "Danhong components - IPF targets-pathways" network. The molecular docking verification was conducted by Auto Dock. RESULTS: Twelve RCTs were finally included with a total of 896 patients. The meta-analysis showed that Danhong injection could improve the clinical efficiency ([OR] = 0.25, 95% CI [0.15, 0.41]), lung function, arterial blood gas analysis, inflammatory cytokines, and serum cytokines associated with pulmonary fibrosis of IPF patients, respectively (P < .05). The core active components of Danhong injection on IPF were Luteolin, Quercetin, and Kaempferol, and the core targets were PTGS2, AR, ESR1, PPARG, and RELA. Danhong injection mainly improved IPF through PD-L1 expression and PD-1 checkpoint path in cancer, pathways in cancer, PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, etc. CONCLUSION: These results provided scientific basis for the clinical use of Danhong injection for the treatment of IPF, and provided a new direction to explore the potential mechanism of action of Danhong injection.

Key Findings

Twelve RCTs were finally included with a total of 896 patients. The meta-analysis showed that Danhong injection could improve the clinical efficiency ([OR] = 0.25, 95% CI [0.15, 0.41]), lung function, arterial blood gas analysis, inflammatory cytokines, and serum cytokines associated with pulmonary fibrosis of IPF patients, respectively (P < .05). The core active components of Danhong injection on IPF were Luteolin, Quercetin, and Kaempferol, and the core targets were PTGS2, AR, ESR1, PPARG, and

Outcomes Measured

  • inflammatory markers

Population

Field Value
Population See abstract
Sample Size 896
Age Range See abstract
Condition See abstract

MeSH Terms

  • Drugs, Chinese Herbal
  • Humans
  • Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
  • Molecular Docking Simulation
  • Network Pharmacology
  • Treatment Outcome

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Meta Analysis
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Meta-Analysis
  • Vertical: quercetin

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09