Integrating UPLC-HR-MS, network pharmacology and experimental validation to reveal the potential mechanism of Fuzheng Bixie granules in treating acute lung injury.

Abstract

Acute lung injury (ALI) is a severe pulmonary complication. Fuzheng Bixie Granules (FZBXG) is a traditional Chinese medicine formula with significant antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and microcirculation-improving effects. In clinical practice, it is used to treat patients with pneumonia and lung injury caused by viral infections, demonstrating favorable efficacy, and its clinical value has been preliminarily validated. However, a deeper understanding of its anti-lung injury mechanisms and the identification of its core active components will contribute to a more comprehensive insight into the potential applications of FZBXG in the treatment of ALI. In this study, the bioactive components of FZBXG was firstly analyzed by UPLC-HR-MS technology. Network pharmacology was utilized to identify related targets and potential pathways of FZBXG in the treatment of ALI. Additionally, LPS-stimulated Raw264.7 inflammatory cell models and ALI mouse models were established for validation. Eventually, a total of 189 chemical components were identified, mainly flavonoids, terpenes and glycosides. Network pharmacology analysis revealed that FZBXG is involved in the treatment of ALI through the IL-17 signaling pathway, NF-κB signaling pathway, and TNF signaling pathway. Animal experiments showed that FZBXG treatment significantly alleviated lung pathology, attenuate inflammatory responses in mice with ALI. FZBXG reduced the expression of phosphorylated AKT, p38 MAPK, and NF-κB while upregulated Nrf2/HO-1 signaling. Through the analysis of the active components of FZBXG and its mechanisms against acute lung injury, a theoretical basis is provided for the clinical promotion of FZBXG.