Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a respiratory condition characterized by several symptoms. The pathogenesis of COPD is complex and involves multiple factors. A fantastic drug from traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), Isodon Suzhouensis (ISZ) is a perennial herb belonging to the labiaceae family. It has the functions of resolving phlegm, removing stasis, promoting blood circulation and eliminating qi stagnation. ISZ has been found to possess great potential against COPD. Present study is focused to identify microRNA (miRNA) biomarkers for COPD and to determine the role of ISZ leaves extract in regulating the disease through miRNA expression in serum exosomes. The sprague-dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into control group, model group and drug groups. After the establishment of the model, the rats were sacrificed and the results were compared with control group. Then the total RNA, of rat serum was extracted and identified by nanoparticle tracker. Finally, high-throughput screening and sequencing were performed to screen miRNAs with significant differential expression. Then different databases were used to figure out the possible target genes and their functions were assessed by employing gene ontology (GO) as well as kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) analyses. The sequencing results were then further verified by qRT-PCR. The results pointed out that these 17 differentially expressed miRNAs may have the potential of diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers against COPD. Interestingly it was also found that ISZ leaves extract may regulate the occurrence of COPD by affecting the expression of miRNAs. This study identified the biomarkers of COPD and clarified the mechanism of the treatment of COPD by ISZ leaves extract, which is helpful to improve the level of early diagnosis and treatment of COPD.

Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has brought the new challenges to scientific research. Isodon suzhouensis has good anti-inflammatory and antioxidant stress effects, which is considered as a potential treatment for COVID-19. The possibility for the treatment of COVID-19 with suzhouensis and its potential mechanism of action were explored by employing molecular docking and network pharmacology. Network pharmacology and molecular docking were used to screen drug targets, and Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced RAW264.7 and NR8383 cells inflammation model was used for experimental verification. Collectively a total of 209 possible linkages against 18 chemical components from suzhouensis and 1194 COVID-19 related targets were selected. Among these, 164 common targets were obtained from the intersection of suzhouensis and COVID-19. GO and KEGG enriched 582 function targets and 87 target proteins pathways, respectively. The results from molecular docking studies revealed that rutin, vitexin, isoquercitrin and quercetin had significant binding ability with SARS-CoV-23CLpro and ACE2. In vitro studies showed that Isodon suzhouensis extract (ISE) may inhibit the activation of PI3K/Akt pathway and the expression level of downstream pro-inflammatory factors by inhibiting the activation of EGFR in RAW264.7 cells induced by LPS. In addition, ISE was able to inhibit the activation of TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway in NR8383 cells exposed to LPS. Overall, the network pharmacology and in vitro studies conclude that active components from suzhouensis have strong therapeutic potential against COVID-19 through multi-target, multi-pathway dimensions and can be a promising candidate against COVID-19.