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

The study investigated the common regulatory pathways between COVID-19 and inflammatory diseases, identifying 99 target genes involved in immune response and inflammation. It focused on cepharanthine (CEP), a natural alkaloid, as a potential treatment for COVID-19. CEP showed potential antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2 by interacting with 22 COVID-19-related targets and influencing key signaling pathways like PI3K-Akt and VEGF. Molecular docking indicated strong binding of CEP with proteins such as AKT1 and ACE2, suggesting its effectiveness in modulating COVID-19 pathogenesis. The study proposed repurposing CEP and TNF-α and IL-17 inhibitors for COVID-19 treatment, though further animal and human trials were needed to confirm efficacy.