Banxia Xiexin decoction ameliorates dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)‐induced ulcerative colitis via inhibiting serine‐threonine protein kinase (Akt)/mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway

Abstract

Banxia Xiexin decoction (BXD), a traditional Chinese medicine, was widely used in treating ulcerative colitis (UC). However, the active components of BXD and its mechanism in UC remain elusive. Therefore, we used network pharmacology in vivo experiments, molecular docking, and surface plasmon resonance strategy (SPR) to uncover BXD's potential mechanism. A UC rat model was established by orally administering 7% dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) in drinking water, BXD and palmatine were orally administered for 7 days. Network pharmacology was used to investigate the main bioactive components and crucial targets of BXD in treating UC. Molecular docking was used to investigate interactions between components and crucial targets, verifying the results by SPR. By network pharmacology predicting, 20 active components and 44 candidate anti‐UC targets of BXD were identified, and the crucial proteins were screeded from PPI network, including extracellular regulated protein kinases (ERK), AKT1, and tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF). In addition, some key active components (palmatine, sexangularetin, and skullcapflavone II) were screened out from the active components‐targets network. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment and in vivo experiments showed that protein‐serine‐threonine kinase (Akt)/MAPK pathway was involved in BXD treatment for UC; BXD and palmatine significantly ameliorated the severity of DSS‐induced UC in rats. Our study might assist in further investigation of the active components in Chinese medicine.

Protective Application of Chinese Herbal Compounds and Formulae in Intestinal Inflammation in Humans and Animals

“…Further study indicated that BXD suppressed Akt/IκBα kinase activity through NF-κB activation, blocking ERK expression and subsequently suppressing NF-κB p65 activation, which notably reduced the production of inflammatory factors including TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-8. More importantly, the proteins upstream and downstream of the Akt/MAPK signaling pathway prevent the tissue damage caused by inflammatory cytokines by preventing cellular signals from being amplified and by efficiently suppressing additional signal transmission [197]. Interestingly, the different decoction methods can bring the difference in the pharmacological effects of traditional herbal prescriptions.…”

“…This may be a reason why BXD exerts multifunctional effects on the brain-gut axis. [192,196,197,201].…”

“…The inability to set uniform standards, the impossibility of measuring the effectiveness of Chinese medicines, and the generally unstable quality control of Chinese medications are the results of this. The effectiveness, patient acceptance, affordability, relative safety, and other advantages of Chinese medicines, however, [192,196,197,201].…”