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Huanghou Zhixie dropping pills alleviate ulcerative colitis via MAPK/ NF-kB signalling pathway

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect and possible mechanism of Huanghou Zhixie dropping pills in ulcerative colitis treatment. METHODS: The study was conducted at the Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot, China, between March and November 2022, and comprised specific pathogen-free Bagg albino (C57BL6) adult female mice. Ulcerative colitis was induced using dextran sulfate sodium. The mice were divided randomly into control group, model group, low-dose Huanghou Zhixie dropping pills HZDP-L group, medium-dose Huanghou Zhixie dropping pills HZDP-M group, high-dose Huanghou Zhixie dropping pills HZDP-H group, and mesalazine group. The quality of the model was verified through Disease Activity Index, Colonic Mucosal Damage Index, and Histopathological) analysis. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to measure inflammatory factors related to ulcerative colitis, including Interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), Transforming Growth Factor-beta (TGF β), Interleukin-4 (IL-4), Tumour Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-α), Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and Interleukin-10 (IL-10). Western blot analysis was conducted to examine the relevant factors, such as cyclooxygenase-2, inducible nitric oxide synthase, Protein 65 (P65), Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase (MAPK), Phosphorylated Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase (p-MAPK) and Phosphorylated Protein 65 (p-P65). Data was analysed using SPSS 20. RESULTS: Of the 36 female mice aged 8 weeks and having mean weight 18±2g, 6(16.66%) were in each of the 6 groups. Huanghou Zhixie dropping pills significantly reduced dextran sulfate sodium-induced ulcerative colitis symptoms, weight loss and colon damage (p<0.05). Huanghou Zhixie dropping pills decreased the expression of pro-inflammatory TNF-α, IL-1β, TGF-β, and IL-6 factors, and increased the expression of anti-inflammatory IL-4 and IL-10 factors in the colon tissue of the mice (p<0.05). Additionally, Huanghou Zhixie dropping pills reduced the expression of cyclooxygenase-2, inducible nitric oxide synthase, P-MAPK and P-P65 in the colon tissue (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Huanghou Zhixie dropping pills alleviated colitis by modulating inflammatory factors through the Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase/Nuclear Factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (MAPK/NF-κB) signalling pathway. The Huanghou Zhixie dropping pills could be a potential therapeutic option for ulcerative colitis treatment, offering a novel approach to managing the disease by targeting specific inflammatory pathways.

Source: Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association

DOI: 10.47391/jpma.srph-04

Authors: Zhen Zhang, Yan Mei, Guosheng Xing, Mingxing Hou

Institutions: Inner Mongolia Medical University, Inner Mongolia People's Hospital

Language: English

Topic: Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Subfield: Genetics

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $650