Uncovering the mechanism of resveratrol in the treatment of asthma: a network pharmacology approach with molecular docking and experimental validation

BackgroundEvidence for the benefits of resveratrol (Res) in the treatment of asthma is progressively accumulating. However, the full spectrum of its molecular targets and the precise mechanisms remain incompletely characterized.MethodTargets of Res were obtained from Swiss Target Prediction, TCMCP,...

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Main Authors: Li Chunxiao, Hou Xin, Liu Bowen, Sun Bingqing, Zhou Mengqi, Zhang Shuwen, Zhang Jingyuan, Lin Jiangtao
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-05-01
Series:Frontiers in Pharmacology
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphar.2025.1596737/full
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author Li Chunxiao
Hou Xin
Liu Bowen
Sun Bingqing
Zhou Mengqi
Zhang Shuwen
Zhang Jingyuan
Lin Jiangtao
author_facet Li Chunxiao
Hou Xin
Liu Bowen
Sun Bingqing
Zhou Mengqi
Zhang Shuwen
Zhang Jingyuan
Lin Jiangtao
author_sort Li Chunxiao
collection DOAJ
description BackgroundEvidence for the benefits of resveratrol (Res) in the treatment of asthma is progressively accumulating. However, the full spectrum of its molecular targets and the precise mechanisms remain incompletely characterized.MethodTargets of Res were obtained from Swiss Target Prediction, TCMCP, and DrugBank. Targets of asthma were obtained from DisGeNET, Therapeutic Target Database, GeneCards, and DrugBank. Intersecting target genes were identified by using jvenn. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomics (KEGG) enrichment analyses were performed using the R package clusterProfiler in R version 4.4.0. Protein–protein interaction networks were constructed using Cytoscape 3.9.1 software. Molecular docking validation of the binding capacity between Res and targets was performed using AutoDock Vina and visualized in PyMOL version 3.0.4. ELISA and Western blotting were used to verify the reliability of Res effects on the top five targets in both house dust mite (HDM)-induced asthma mouse model and BEAS-2B cell model.ResultsAfter the intersection of the 236 Res targets and the 2,382 asthma targets, 120 targets for Res against asthma were obtained. The top five therapeutic targets based on weighted degree score were TNF, IL6, STAT3, TP53, and IL1B. GO enrichment analysis identified 2,595 significant terms, associated with 2,402 biological processes, followed by 153 molecular functions and 40 cellular components. KEGG enrichment analysis identified 107 relevant pathways, including “apoptosis,” “TNF signaling pathway,” and “MAPK signaling pathway.” Molecular docking showed that Res had a strong binding affinity toward the top five targets with binding energies less than −5.8 kcal/mol. Res treatment normalized the dysregulated expression of TNF-α, IL-6, STAT3, p53, and IL-1β both in vitro and in vivo.ConclusionRes may target TNF-α, IL-6, STAT3, p53, and IL-1β to act as a therapeutic agent for asthma. These findings reveal the potential therapeutic targets for Res against asthma and provide theoretical bases for the clinical application of Res.
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spelling doaj-art-a71bc05854c44bf2a2d795b250a88fe52025-08-20T02:38:45ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Pharmacology1663-98122025-05-011610.3389/fphar.2025.15967371596737Uncovering the mechanism of resveratrol in the treatment of asthma: a network pharmacology approach with molecular docking and experimental validationLi Chunxiao0Hou Xin1Liu Bowen2Sun Bingqing3Zhou Mengqi4Zhang Shuwen5Zhang Jingyuan6Lin Jiangtao7Peking University China-Japan Friendship School of Clinical Medicine, Beijing, ChinaPeking University China-Japan Friendship School of Clinical Medicine, Beijing, ChinaGraduate School, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, ChinaGraduate School of Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences/Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, ChinaGraduate School, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, ChinaPeking University China-Japan Friendship School of Clinical Medicine, Beijing, ChinaGraduate School of Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences/Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, ChinaDepartment of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, National Center for Respiratory Medicine, Peking University China-Japan Friendship School of Clinical Medicine, Beijing, ChinaBackgroundEvidence for the benefits of resveratrol (Res) in the treatment of asthma is progressively accumulating. However, the full spectrum of its molecular targets and the precise mechanisms remain incompletely characterized.MethodTargets of Res were obtained from Swiss Target Prediction, TCMCP, and DrugBank. Targets of asthma were obtained from DisGeNET, Therapeutic Target Database, GeneCards, and DrugBank. Intersecting target genes were identified by using jvenn. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomics (KEGG) enrichment analyses were performed using the R package clusterProfiler in R version 4.4.0. Protein–protein interaction networks were constructed using Cytoscape 3.9.1 software. Molecular docking validation of the binding capacity between Res and targets was performed using AutoDock Vina and visualized in PyMOL version 3.0.4. ELISA and Western blotting were used to verify the reliability of Res effects on the top five targets in both house dust mite (HDM)-induced asthma mouse model and BEAS-2B cell model.ResultsAfter the intersection of the 236 Res targets and the 2,382 asthma targets, 120 targets for Res against asthma were obtained. The top five therapeutic targets based on weighted degree score were TNF, IL6, STAT3, TP53, and IL1B. GO enrichment analysis identified 2,595 significant terms, associated with 2,402 biological processes, followed by 153 molecular functions and 40 cellular components. KEGG enrichment analysis identified 107 relevant pathways, including “apoptosis,” “TNF signaling pathway,” and “MAPK signaling pathway.” Molecular docking showed that Res had a strong binding affinity toward the top five targets with binding energies less than −5.8 kcal/mol. Res treatment normalized the dysregulated expression of TNF-α, IL-6, STAT3, p53, and IL-1β both in vitro and in vivo.ConclusionRes may target TNF-α, IL-6, STAT3, p53, and IL-1β to act as a therapeutic agent for asthma. These findings reveal the potential therapeutic targets for Res against asthma and provide theoretical bases for the clinical application of Res.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphar.2025.1596737/fullasthmaresveratrolnetwork pharmacologymolecular dockingairway inflammation
spellingShingle Li Chunxiao
Hou Xin
Liu Bowen
Sun Bingqing
Zhou Mengqi
Zhang Shuwen
Zhang Jingyuan
Lin Jiangtao
Uncovering the mechanism of resveratrol in the treatment of asthma: a network pharmacology approach with molecular docking and experimental validation
Frontiers in Pharmacology
asthma
resveratrol
network pharmacology
molecular docking
airway inflammation
title Uncovering the mechanism of resveratrol in the treatment of asthma: a network pharmacology approach with molecular docking and experimental validation
title_full Uncovering the mechanism of resveratrol in the treatment of asthma: a network pharmacology approach with molecular docking and experimental validation
title_fullStr Uncovering the mechanism of resveratrol in the treatment of asthma: a network pharmacology approach with molecular docking and experimental validation
title_full_unstemmed Uncovering the mechanism of resveratrol in the treatment of asthma: a network pharmacology approach with molecular docking and experimental validation
title_short Uncovering the mechanism of resveratrol in the treatment of asthma: a network pharmacology approach with molecular docking and experimental validation
title_sort uncovering the mechanism of resveratrol in the treatment of asthma a network pharmacology approach with molecular docking and experimental validation
topic asthma
resveratrol
network pharmacology
molecular docking
airway inflammation
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphar.2025.1596737/full
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