Sanleng Wan inhibits endometriosis progression by regulating sphingolipid metabolism via the S1P/S1PR1-Akt axis based on serum metabolomics and network pharmacology.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Endometriosis is a gynecological disorder characterized by chronic pelvic pain and infertility in women. The traditional herbal medicine Sanleng Wan (SLW) is composed of Curcuma phaeocaulis Valeton (Chinese name: Ezhu) and Sparganium stoloniferum (Buch.-Ham. ex Graebn.) Buch.-Ham. ex Juz. (Chinese name: Sanleng), has been recognized for its therapeutic potential in managing gynecological conditions, including endometriosis. In numerous traditional Chinese medicine prescriptions, SLW is classified as either the "principal drug" or the "minister drug." However, the extent to which the therapeutic effects of SLW are mediated through the modulation of serum metabolites and associated molecular targets remains unclear.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study aimed to elucidate the potential mechanism by which SLW inhibits endometriosis, utilizing serum metabolomics, network pharmacology, molecular docking, SPR affinity analysis and preliminary in vivo validation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A rat model of endometriosis was established using the autotransplantation method. The animals were divided into blank control, model, high-, middle-, and low-dose SLW groups, and the dienogest-treated group as a positive control. SLW or dienogest was administered for 4 weeks. Fibrosis in the lesions was assessed using Masson staining. Serum metabolomics analysis was conducted to investigate the effects of SLW on serum metabolites in endometriosis model rats, and metabolic pathways were analyzed using the MetaboAnalyst database. A metabolites-targets-pathways network was constructed using Cytoscape software. Additionally, surface plasmon resonance (SPR)-based binding affinity analysis was conducted to investigate potential direct interactions between the bioactive compounds and key proteins. Five major principal compounds (zederone, curcumin, ferulic acid, curcumol, and curdione) were evaluated for the binding capabilities with three proteins: sphingosine kinase 2 (SphK2), sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor 1 (S1PR1), and AKT serine/threonine kinase (Akt). Subsequently, the expression levels of transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P), S1PR1, SphK2 and Akt, and phosphorylated Akt (p-Akt) in ectopic endometrium tissue were quantified using Western blot analysis.

RESULTS

In a rat model, SLW inhibited the growth of endometriotic lesions and suppressed fibrosis. Metabolomic analysis revealed distinct serum metabolites associated with SLW treatment. A total of 76 significant metabolites were identified in the serum of the SLW-treated group, including L-threonine, (S)-homostachydrine, DL-arginine, and L-homoarginine, among others. These metabolites were involved in various metabolic pathways, including sphingolipid signaling, tyrosine metabolism, fatty acid degradation, arachidonic acid metabolism, pyruvate metabolism, linoleic acid metabolism, and glycerophospholipid catabolism. Molecular docking and SPR affinity analysis demonstrated that compounds including ferulic acid, zederone, curcumin, zedrone, curcumol, and curdione contribute to the modulation of targets within the S1P/S1PR1-Akt signaling axis. Notably, compared with the model endometriosis group, SLW treatment significantly downregulated the protein expression levels of TGF-β, SphK2, S1P, and S1PR1 in ectopic endometrial tissues of rats, while markedly reducing the p-Akt/Akt ratio. These findings shed light on the potential molecular mechanisms underlying SLW's therapeutic effects.

CONCLUSIONS

This study, utilizing serum metabolomics and network pharmacology, demonstrates the therapeutic effects of SLW in endometriosis model rats by modulating sphingolipid metabolism via the S1P/S1PR1-Akt axis, thereby enhancing understanding of its underlying mechanisms of action.