A network pharmacology-based analysis to distinguish the differences between Lonicerae Japonicae Flos and Lonicerae Flos

Abstract Multiple basal plants are commonly used as materia medica in the traditional medicine of various nationalities and ethnicities worldwide. We call this practice “multibasal-plant materia medica” (MBPMM). So we proposed the application of network pharmacological method that it can provide a new way of distinguishing the differences among the different basal plants used in traditional medicines. We apply the method in investigating the differences and similarities in the material bases and mechanisms of anti-inflammatory activities of Lonicerae Japonicae Flos and Lonicerae Flos. Lonicerae Japonicae Flos and Lonicerae Flos share plenty of similarities in terms of anti-inflammatory mechanisms and material bases. Both of them mainly act on airway inflammation and tumour inflammation via the NF-κB signalling pathway and immune response, oxidation and signal transduction. However, Lonicerae Flos acts on inflammation with greater intensity than Lonicerae Japonicae Flos. We argue that they can be used interchangeably for the prevention and treatment of tumours and airway inflammation at a proper dosage. Otherwise, Lonicerae Flos may be more appropriate for treating neurological and metabolism-related inflammation, whereas Lonicerae Japonicae Flos is more suitable for the treatment of inflammation of systemic organs, such as intestines.