Feasibility of Nauclea officinalis Leaves in Treating Pneumonia Based on Bioinformatics, Metabolomics, and in Vitro Experiments

Objectives In the Li ethnic minority region in Hainan, China, the leaves of Nauclea officinalis are traditionally used as an ingredient in herbal teas, typically prepared by boiling in water. These teas are believed to be effective in alleviating symptoms associated with pulmonary diseases. However, a lack of scientific understanding regarding their mechanisms of action has significantly hindered the further development and utilization of N. officinalis leaves. This study aims to elucidate the mechanism by which N . officinalis leaves alleviate the symptoms of pulmonary diseases, thereby filling the gap in scientific research on this medicinal herb and providing support for its subsequent development and application. Methods This study integrated metabolomics and network pharmacology approaches to screen and analyze the active components in N. officinalis leaves that are closely associated with pneumonia. The findings were subsequently validated through molecular docking techniques and in vitro cellular experiments. Results Using metabolomics technology, the active components in N. officinalis leaves closely associated with pneumonia-related targets were screened. Network pharmacology analysis revealed that IL-6, STAT3, and TNF-α serve as key proteins playing central regulatory roles. In vitro experiments demonstrated that N. officinalis leaves significantly reduce the levels of the inflammatory cytokines IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-1β, suggesting that they may exert therapeutic effects on pneumonia by modulating the IL-6/STAT3 signal pathway. Conclusion The aqueous extract of N. officinalis leaves may exert anti-inflammatory effects in vitro by modulating the IL-6/STAT3 signaling pathway, thereby providing a preliminary theoretical and experimental basis for its further development. However, its in vivo efficacy in treating pneumonia, relative anti-inflammatory potency, and direct validation of STAT3 phosphorylation levels remain to be confirmed in further studies.