Digestive Disease Center, Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100010, People's Republic of China.
Department of Dermatology, Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100010, People's Republic of China.
Drug Des Devel Ther. 2024 Jul 9;18:2847-2868. doi: 10.2147/DDDT.S436359. eCollection 2024.
PURPOSE: This study aimed to delineate the molecular processes underlying the therapeutic effects of berberine on UC by employing network pharmacology tactics, molecular docking, and dynamic simulations supported by empirical validations both in vivo and in vitro. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We systematically screened potential targets and relevant pathways affected by berberine for UC treatment from comprehensive databases, including GeneCards, DisGeNET, and GEO. Molecular docking and simulation protocols were used to assess the interaction stability between berberine and its principal targets. The predictions were validated using both a DSS-induced UC mouse model and a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated NCM460 cellular inflammation model. RESULTS: Network pharmacology analysis revealed the regulatory effect of the TLR4/NF-κB/HIF-1α pathway in the ameliorative action of berberine in UC. Docking and simulation studies predicted the high-affinity interactions of berberine with pivotal targets: TLR4, NF-κB, HIF-1α, and the HIF inhibitor KC7F2. Moreover, in vivo analyses demonstrated that berberine attenuates clinical severity, as reflected by decreased disease activity index (DAI) scores, reduced weight loss, and mitigated intestinal inflammation in DSS-challenged mice. These outcomes include suppression of the proinflammatory cytokines IL-6 and TNF-α and downregulation of TLR4/NF-κB/HIF-1α mRNA and protein levels. Correspondingly, in vitro findings indicate that berberine decreases cellular inflammatory injury and suppresses TLR4/NF-κB/HIF-1α signaling, with notable effectiveness similar to that of the HIF-1α inhibitor KC7F2. CONCLUSION: Through network pharmacology analysis and experimental substantiation, this study confirmed that berberine enhances UC treatment outcomes by inhibiting the TLR4/NF-κB/HIF-1α axis, thereby mitigating inflammatory reactions and improving colonic pathology.
目的:本研究旨在采用网络药理学策略、分子对接和动力学模拟,并结合体内和体外的经验验证,阐明小檗碱治疗 UC 的治疗效果的分子机制。
患者和方法:我们从包括 GeneCards、DisGeNET 和 GEO 在内的综合数据库中系统筛选了潜在的与 UC 治疗相关的靶点和相关通路。采用分子对接和模拟方案来评估小檗碱与其主要靶点之间的相互作用稳定性。通过 DSS 诱导的 UC 小鼠模型和 LPS 刺激的 NCM460 细胞炎症模型对预测结果进行了验证。
结果:网络药理学分析揭示了 TLR4/NF-κB/HIF-1α 通路在小檗碱改善 UC 中的调节作用。对接和模拟研究预测了小檗碱与关键靶点(TLR4、NF-κB、HIF-1α 和 HIF 抑制剂 KC7F2)之间的高亲和力相互作用。此外,体内分析表明小檗碱可减轻临床严重程度,表现为 DAI 评分降低、体重减轻和减轻 DSS 挑战小鼠的肠道炎症。这些结果包括抑制促炎细胞因子 IL-6 和 TNF-α 的产生,以及下调 TLR4/NF-κB/HIF-1α mRNA 和蛋白水平。相应地,体外研究表明小檗碱可降低细胞炎症损伤,并抑制 TLR4/NF-κB/HIF-1α 信号通路,其有效性与 HIF-1α 抑制剂 KC7F2 相似。
结论:通过网络药理学分析和实验证实,本研究证实小檗碱通过抑制 TLR4/NF-κB/HIF-1α 轴增强 UC 的治疗效果,从而减轻炎症反应并改善结肠病理学。
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