Combined with network pharmacology to study the effect and mechanism of Sanhuang ointment on MRSA infection in the skin and soft tissue

Overview. Skin and soft tissue infection（SSTI）is a frequent clinical disease. Sanhuang ointment is a traditional Chinese medicine used to treat SSTI. However, the pharmacological effect and mechanism of Sanhuang ointment on SSTI remain unclear. In this study, we investigated the protective effect and mechanism of Sanhuang ointment on MRSA in the skin and soft tissue infections by network pharmacological analysis, followed by in vivo experimental validation. Methods: . Using network pharmacology, the active ingredients and disease targets of Sanhuang ointment were screened and intersected for GO and KEGG enrichment analysis. A rat model of skin and soft tissue infection was established and the pathological features were observed. Sanhuang ointment large, medium and small dose groups (1g, 0.5g, and 0.25g/animal, with the total amount of Vaseline, dispensed 1g/animal) and Mupirocin Ointment positive control group (0.5g/animal, with the total amount of Vaseline, dispensed 1g/animal) were used, respectively. The expression of key proteins of the IL-17/NF-κB signaling pathway and downstream inflammatory factors were analyzed by histomorphological observation, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, polymerase chain reaction, and Western blotting. Results: . Network pharmacology analysis confirmed that 119 active components and 275 target genes of Sanhuang ointment were identified and intersected with MRSA infection-related genes, and 34 target genes of Sanhuang ointment were found to be used for skin and soft tissue infection with MRSA. Sanhuang ointment (1g/mouse) could effectively ameliorate histopathological changes and significantly inhibit the expression of key proteins of the IL-17/NF-κB signaling pathway and downstream inflammatory factors (p < 0.05). Discussion and Conclusion This study suggests that Sanhuang ointment protects against MRSA infection and inhibits inflammation by inhibiting IL-17/NF-κB signaling pathway. This is important for the secondary development and new drug development of Sanhuang ointment. Conclusion: Sanhuang ointment has a protective effect on MRSA infection and inhibits inflammation by inhibiting IL-17/NF-κB signaling pathway. This is important for the secondary development and new drug development of Sanhuang ointment.