Yiyi Fuzi Baijiang Powder Alleviates Dextran Sulfate Sodium-Induced Ulcerative Colitis in Rats via Inhibiting the TLR4/NF-κB/NLRP3 Inflammasome Signaling Pathway to Repair the Intestinal Epithelial Barrier, and Modulating Intestinal Microbiota

Abstract

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic non-specific inflammatory disease of the intestine, which is prone to recurrence and difficult to cure. Yiyi Fuzi Baijiang powder (YFBP), as a classic Chinese herbal formula, is commonly used in the clinical treatment of UC. However, its potential mechanism remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the mechanism by which YFBP exerts a therapeutic effect against UC. Firstly, we used network pharmacology to screen the active ingredients and potential targets of YFBP and constructed a “drug-ingredient-target” network. Based on bioinformatics, we searched for differentially expressed genes (DEGs) associated with UC and obtained common targets. The core targets of YFBP in the treatment of UC were identified using a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network, and molecular docking techniques were used to evaluate the binding energies of the core targets and corresponding ingredients. Enrichment analysis by Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) revealed that YFBP exerted therapeutic effects by regulating multiple inflammatory pathways including TLR4, NF-κB, and TNF. Secondly, an experimental study was carried out in vivo for verification. Our results demonstrated that YFBP could effectively improve the symptoms and intestinal pathological of UC rats. Further study showed that YFBP could significantly downregulate the expressions of TLR4 and p-NF-κB p65 in UC rats, inhibit the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome, reduce the levels of IL-1β and TNF-α, and then upregulate the expressions of tight junction proteins in intestinal epithelial cells. In addition, YFBP could improve the intestinal microbial community. In conclusion, our study revealed that YFBP had a good therapeutic effect on UC, and its mechanism might be related to the inhibition of the TLR4/NF-κB/NLRP3 inflammasome signaling pathway to repair intestinal epithelial barrier and the modulation of intestinal microbiota.

The antimicrobial peptide Abaecin alleviates colitis in mice by regulating inflammatory signaling pathways and intestinal microbial composition

“…A large number of studies have shown that DSS-induced colitis mouse models can lead to a signi cant decrease in colon length and body weight, a signi cant increase in disease activity index (DAI) and severe damage to intestinal structure [22][23][24]. This is consistent with the results observed in this study.…”

The mechanism of traditional medicine in alleviating ulcerative colitis: regulating intestinal barrier function

“…Thus, the anti-UC function of JGQD were largely dependent on gut microbiota and might have the potential to application as a complementary medicine in UC treatment. Another study by Yang et al (2023) reported that Yiyi Fuzi Baijiang Powder (YFBP), a classic Chinese herbal formula commonly used in treating UC, might regulate the diversity and richness of intestinal microbiota and thus affect the severity of experimental colitis using a strategy combined with network pharmacology, screening, and bioinformatics.…”

“…This study thus indicated the role of MKP1 in the regulation of the NLRP3 inflammasome and pyroptosis. In addition, as shown by Yang et al (2023) , Yiyi Fuzi Baijiang Powder (YFBP) could also be a decoction that affects the progression of colitis via regulating the NLRP3/pyroptosis pathway. YFBP is a classic Chinese herbal formula commonly used in treating UC.…”

Anti-tumor effect of coix seed based on the theory of medicinal and food homology

“…Yiyi Fuzi Baijiang Powder can slow down the progression of colorectal cancer by simultaneously regulating target genes and related signaling pathways of multiple active ingredients, possibly by regulating cell apoptosis, cell proliferation, and protein and enzyme binding[ 58 ], and this has been experimentally validated[ 59 ]. Yiyi Fuzi Baijiang Powder has a good effect in treating ulcerative colitis, can inhibit intestinal symptoms in mice, and improve intestinal pathology[ 60 ]. According to reports, Qingyi huaji decoction can be applied as a valid method to treat pancreatic cancer, and research has confirmed that it can inhibit the growth and progression of tumor through various mechanisms such as anti-inflammatory and induction of cell apoptosis[ 61 ].…”