Postoperative Tongqi Formula ameliorates postoperative ileus via p38 MAPK signaling pathway and metabolic disorder

Aim of the study: This study investigated the mechanism by which the Postoperative Tongqi Formula (PTQF) treats postoperative ileus (POI) through regulation of the p38 MAPK signaling pathway, Zona occludens 1 (ZO-1) protein, and metabolism. Methods: The primary components of PTQF were characterized...

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Main Authors: Mengmeng Yang, Yuxuan Lu, Shufan Jin, Wanqiu Liu, Miaoshi Yao, Zhiwei Jiang, Yachun Shu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-01-01
Series:Heliyon
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405844024172489
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author Mengmeng Yang
Yuxuan Lu
Shufan Jin
Wanqiu Liu
Miaoshi Yao
Zhiwei Jiang
Yachun Shu
author_facet Mengmeng Yang
Yuxuan Lu
Shufan Jin
Wanqiu Liu
Miaoshi Yao
Zhiwei Jiang
Yachun Shu
author_sort Mengmeng Yang
collection DOAJ
description Aim of the study: This study investigated the mechanism by which the Postoperative Tongqi Formula (PTQF) treats postoperative ileus (POI) through regulation of the p38 MAPK signaling pathway, Zona occludens 1 (ZO-1) protein, and metabolism. Methods: The primary components of PTQF were characterized using UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS. The identified compounds subsequently employed network pharmacology to predict the signaling pathways associated with the inflammatory phase of POI. The anti-inflammatory effects of PTQF were evaluated in vitro using RAW264.7 cells. A rat model of POI was used to assess efficacy based on the spleen index and charcoal powder propulsion rat in the small intestine. Furthermore, pathological damage to the small intestine was analyzed using hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining as well as immunofluorescence to evaluate ZO-1 protein expression. Inflammatory cytokine levels were quantified using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Subsequently, Western blot analysis was performed to examine the p38 MAPK signaling pathway. Finally, a metabolomics approach was employed to analyze serum samples to identify potential metabolic pathways. Results: A total of 130 chemical constituents were identified in PTQF. Following the network pharmacology analysis of these compounds, the p38 MAPK signaling pathway was chosen for further investigation. In vitro, PTQF effectively inhibited inflammatory responses in RAW264.7 cells. Results from the spleen index and charcoal powder propulsion rate indicated that PTQF alleviated the inflammatory phase of POI in rats by mitigating systemic and intestinal inflammation. This was supported by reduced levels of inflammatory factors, modulation of ZO-1 protein expression, and a decrease in p38 MAPK phosphorylation levels. Furthermore, serum metabolomics revealed nine differential metabolites linked to intestinal inflammation. Conclusion: PTQF mitigates inflammation and intestinal damage in POI rats by modulating inflammatory factors, ZO-1 protein expression, the p38 MAPK signaling pathway, and metabolic disturbances.
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spelling doaj-art-4a9f8dc83992409b9be832e58f986dd52025-01-17T04:50:33ZengElsevierHeliyon2405-84402025-01-01111e41217Postoperative Tongqi Formula ameliorates postoperative ileus via p38 MAPK signaling pathway and metabolic disorderMengmeng Yang0Yuxuan Lu1Shufan Jin2Wanqiu Liu3Miaoshi Yao4Zhiwei Jiang5Yachun Shu6Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine & Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210029, China; School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, ChinaAffiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine & Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210029, China; School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, ChinaSchool of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, ChinaSchool of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, ChinaAffiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine & Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210029, ChinaAffiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine & Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210029, ChinaAffiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine & Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210029, China; Corresponding author. Department of Pharmacy, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine & Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210029, China.Aim of the study: This study investigated the mechanism by which the Postoperative Tongqi Formula (PTQF) treats postoperative ileus (POI) through regulation of the p38 MAPK signaling pathway, Zona occludens 1 (ZO-1) protein, and metabolism. Methods: The primary components of PTQF were characterized using UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS. The identified compounds subsequently employed network pharmacology to predict the signaling pathways associated with the inflammatory phase of POI. The anti-inflammatory effects of PTQF were evaluated in vitro using RAW264.7 cells. A rat model of POI was used to assess efficacy based on the spleen index and charcoal powder propulsion rat in the small intestine. Furthermore, pathological damage to the small intestine was analyzed using hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining as well as immunofluorescence to evaluate ZO-1 protein expression. Inflammatory cytokine levels were quantified using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Subsequently, Western blot analysis was performed to examine the p38 MAPK signaling pathway. Finally, a metabolomics approach was employed to analyze serum samples to identify potential metabolic pathways. Results: A total of 130 chemical constituents were identified in PTQF. Following the network pharmacology analysis of these compounds, the p38 MAPK signaling pathway was chosen for further investigation. In vitro, PTQF effectively inhibited inflammatory responses in RAW264.7 cells. Results from the spleen index and charcoal powder propulsion rate indicated that PTQF alleviated the inflammatory phase of POI in rats by mitigating systemic and intestinal inflammation. This was supported by reduced levels of inflammatory factors, modulation of ZO-1 protein expression, and a decrease in p38 MAPK phosphorylation levels. Furthermore, serum metabolomics revealed nine differential metabolites linked to intestinal inflammation. Conclusion: PTQF mitigates inflammation and intestinal damage in POI rats by modulating inflammatory factors, ZO-1 protein expression, the p38 MAPK signaling pathway, and metabolic disturbances.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405844024172489Postoperative Tongqi FormulaPostoperative ileusp38 MAPK signaling pathwayZO-1 proteinMetabolomics
spellingShingle Mengmeng Yang
Yuxuan Lu
Shufan Jin
Wanqiu Liu
Miaoshi Yao
Zhiwei Jiang
Yachun Shu
Postoperative Tongqi Formula ameliorates postoperative ileus via p38 MAPK signaling pathway and metabolic disorder
Heliyon
Postoperative Tongqi Formula
Postoperative ileus
p38 MAPK signaling pathway
ZO-1 protein
Metabolomics
title Postoperative Tongqi Formula ameliorates postoperative ileus via p38 MAPK signaling pathway and metabolic disorder
title_full Postoperative Tongqi Formula ameliorates postoperative ileus via p38 MAPK signaling pathway and metabolic disorder
title_fullStr Postoperative Tongqi Formula ameliorates postoperative ileus via p38 MAPK signaling pathway and metabolic disorder
title_full_unstemmed Postoperative Tongqi Formula ameliorates postoperative ileus via p38 MAPK signaling pathway and metabolic disorder
title_short Postoperative Tongqi Formula ameliorates postoperative ileus via p38 MAPK signaling pathway and metabolic disorder
title_sort postoperative tongqi formula ameliorates postoperative ileus via p38 mapk signaling pathway and metabolic disorder
topic Postoperative Tongqi Formula
Postoperative ileus
p38 MAPK signaling pathway
ZO-1 protein
Metabolomics
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405844024172489
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