摘要
Abstract
Objective:To explore the mechanism of Qihuang Tongmi(芪黄通秘)Soft Capsules(QTSC)in the treatment of functional constipation(FC).Methods:Network pharmacology was utilized to predict the active components,target genes,and related pathways of QTSC in treating FC.Based on the literature,the predicted signaling pathways were screened,and molecular docking was performed to predict the binding affin-ity between active components and pathway targets.Mice were randomly divided into a normal control group,a model control group,and QTSC groups at doses of 0.5 g/kg and 1.0 g/kg.After successful modeling,each group was administered the corresponding drug or saline via ga-vage.The effects of QTSC on fecal weight,water content,and small intestinal propulsion rate in FC mice were observed.Plasma levels of gas-trin(GAS)and motilin(MTL)were measured using ELISA,and protein expression of pathway targets was verified by Western blotting.Results:Network pharmacology and literature research revealed that QTSC contained 78 active components that acted on 73 target genes,reg-ulating eight signaling pathways,including PI3K-Akt,mTOR,MAPK,and IL-17,to exert therapeutic effects on FC.These pathways were mainly involved in biological processes such as cell apoptosis and gene expression regulation.Molecular docking results showed that active components such as quercetin,luteolin,and emodin had high binding affinity with PIK3CG and AKT1.In animal experiments,compared to the normal control group,the model control group showed significantly reduced fecal weight,water content,and small intestinal propulsion rate(P<0.05 or P<0.01),and significantly downregulated protein expression levels of p-PI3K,p-Akt,PI3K,and Akt in colon tissue(P<0.01).Compared to the model control group,the QTSC groups showed significant increases in fecal weight,water content,and small intestinal propul-sion rate(P<0.05 or P<0.01).In the QTSC 1.0 g/kg group,plasma levels of GAS and MTL were significantly elevated(P<0.01),and protein expression levels of p-PI3K,p-Akt,PI3K,and Akt in colon tissue were significantly upregulated(P<0.05 or P<0.01).Conclusion:QTSC may exert therapeutic effects on FC by regulating the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway,increasing GAS and MTL levels,and modulating in-testinal motility.关键词
芪黄通秘软胶囊/功能性便秘/网络药理学/分子对接/动物实验/磷脂酰肌醇 3-激酶/蛋白激酶B信号通路Key words
Qihuang Tongmi(芪黄通秘)Soft Capsules/Functional constipation/Network pharmacology/Molecular docking/Animal experi-ment/PI3K-Akt signaling pathway
