The Common Regulatory Pathway of COVID-19 and Multiple Inflammatory Diseases and the Molecular Mechanism of Cepharanthine in the Treatment of COVID-19

This study explored the common regulatory pathways between COVID-19 and inflammatory diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and gouty arthritis, using network pharmacology. It identified common targets such as TNF, IL-6, and IL-1β, and pathways like IL-17 and TNF signaling. Cepharanthine (CEP), a traditional Chinese medicine component, showed potential in treating COVID-19 by interacting with targets like AKT1 and ACE2, and influencing pathways such as PI3K-Akt and VEGF. The study suggested that TNF and IL-17 inhibitors, used for other inflammatory diseases, might also be effective against COVID-19, offering a theoretical basis for repurposing existing drugs.