Wogonin, a Bioactive Ingredient from Huangqi Guizhi Formula, Alleviates Discogenic Low Back Pain via Suppressing the Overexpressed NGF in Intervertebral Discs

Abstract

Purpose. To investigate whether wogonin, a key bioactive ingredient of Huangqi Guizhi formula (HQGZ formula; a Traditional Chinese Medicine herbal formula) according to network pharmacology analysis, has analgesic effects on discogenic low back pain (LBP) via regulating the nerve growth factor (NGF) in intervertebral discs (IVDs). Methods. The lumbar IVDs of rats were punctured to discogenic LBP, and the therapeutic effect of orally administrated HQGZ for discogenic LBP was investigated by measuring mechanical and cold allodynia and histological analysis. A network pharmacology analysis was conducted to search for bioactive ingredients from the HQGZ formula, and wogonin was suggested to be the most possible bioactive ingredient for LBP treatment. Subsequently, the analgesic effect of wogonin was investigated in the LBP model, and the gene expression of propain peptides in the bilateral dorsal root ganglia was analyzed using RT-PCR. Finally, immunohistochemical staining was performed for NGF expression of NGF in the IVDs to determine whether wogonin treatment would ameliorate NGF-induced LBP. Results. Oral administration of HQGZ for two weeks significantly ameliorated puncture-induced IVD degeneration (IDD) and LBP. In addition, the network pharmacology analysis revealed that wogonin, quercetin, and kaempferol were the potential candidate components of HQGZ for LBP treatment. Furthermore, we proved that wogonin had significant analgesic effects in the LBP model. Finally, wogonin was demonstrated to suppress the upregulated NGF in the IVD and ameliorate NGF-induced LBP in rats. Conclusions. The HQGZ formula has significant analgesic effects for LBP. In addition, the bioactive ingredient of wogonin was extracted from HQGZ and ameliorated LBP by suppressing the overexpressed NGF in degenerated IVDs. Therefore, wogonin has potential to be alternative treatment for LBP in clinical.

The Emerging Roles of Nanocarrier Drug Delivery System in Treatment of Intervertebral Disc Degeneration-Current Knowledge, Hot Spots, Challenges and Future Perspectives

“…17,18 By concentrating and prolonging the residence of drugs within IVD tissues, NDDSs possess the capability to augment therapeutic outcomes and enhance the efficacy of treatment. [19][20][21][22][23] This review provides a succinct overview of the underlying pathogenic mechanisms implicated in the progression of IVDD and delineates the current constraints associated with existing treatment modalities. Furthermore, it elucidates the notable advancements achieved in the field of NDDSs therapy for IVDD.…”

Protective effects of Shensuitongzhi formula on intervertebral disc degeneration via downregulation NF-κB signaling pathway and inflammatory response

“…Based on this, many studies turn to non-invasive alternatives for IDD 16 . More and more Chinese medicine have been dug that they have a amazing treatment on IDD [17][18][19][20] . Shen Sui Tong Zhi formula (SSTZF) is a drug commonly used in clinical treatment for orthopedic diseases such as fracture 21 , osteoarthritis 21 and osteoporosis.…”