Sanren decoction ameliorates ulcerative colitis by modulating gut microbiota and macrophage polarization to enhance intestinal barrier function
Abstract Sanren Decoction (SRD), a traditional Chinese medicine formula historically used to relieve damp-heat and gastrointestinal disorders, demonstrates targeted efficacy in ulcerative colitis (UC)—a disease marked by chronic inflammation and mucosal damage—by acting on multiple pathological path...
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BMC
2025-08-01
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| Series: | Chinese Medicine |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13020-025-01183-1 |
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| author | Shujuan Zhang BangHua Li Xiaoqun Han LinLin Ruan Xingxing Fu Yanglin Chen Hongtao Wan Xiaojian Zhu Dan Liu Bo Yi |
| author_facet | Shujuan Zhang BangHua Li Xiaoqun Han LinLin Ruan Xingxing Fu Yanglin Chen Hongtao Wan Xiaojian Zhu Dan Liu Bo Yi |
| author_sort | Shujuan Zhang |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Sanren Decoction (SRD), a traditional Chinese medicine formula historically used to relieve damp-heat and gastrointestinal disorders, demonstrates targeted efficacy in ulcerative colitis (UC)—a disease marked by chronic inflammation and mucosal damage—by acting on multiple pathological pathways. This study employed an integrative methodology comprising network pharmacology, molecular docking, and in vivo experimentation to elucidate the underlying pharmacological mechanisms of SRD in the management of UC. The findings identified 87 genes targeted by SRD that are associated with UC, highlighting PTGS2 (Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthase 2) as a crucial target involved in inflammatory processes. Molecular docking analysis confirmed significant interactions between the active compounds of SRD and PTGS2, suggesting a potential anti-inflammatory pathway. In vivo experiments utilizing a DSS-induced colitis mouse model demonstrated that SRD effectively ameliorates clinical symptoms and histopathological damage, enhances intestinal barrier integrity, and modulates macrophage polarization from a pro-inflammatory M1 state to an anti-inflammatory M2 phenotype. Furthermore, SRD was found to alter gut microbiota composition by increasing the abundance of beneficial bacteria and influencing metabolic pathways. These findings establish a strong scientific foundation for the potential of SRD as a comprehensive therapeutic approach for UC, offering promising prospects for its integration into clinical practice. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-751e5359672640d4b41703bc17f3ac16 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1749-8546 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-08-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Chinese Medicine |
| spelling | doaj-art-751e5359672640d4b41703bc17f3ac162025-08-24T11:50:17ZengBMCChinese Medicine1749-85462025-08-0120112310.1186/s13020-025-01183-1Sanren decoction ameliorates ulcerative colitis by modulating gut microbiota and macrophage polarization to enhance intestinal barrier functionShujuan Zhang0BangHua Li1Xiaoqun Han2LinLin Ruan3Xingxing Fu4Yanglin Chen5Hongtao Wan6Xiaojian Zhu7Dan Liu8Bo Yi92Nd Abdominal Surgery Department, Jiangxi Cancer Hospital, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang Medical CollegeDepartment of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine Oncology, Third Ward of Gastrointestinal Oncology. School of Pharmacy, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang UniversitySchool of Chemistry and Bioengineering, Yichun University2Nd Abdominal Surgery Department, Jiangxi Cancer Hospital, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang Medical CollegeSchool of Pharmacy, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University2Nd Abdominal Surgery Department, Jiangxi Cancer Hospital, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang Medical College2Nd Abdominal Surgery Department, Jiangxi Cancer Hospital, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang Medical College2Nd Abdominal Surgery Department, Jiangxi Cancer Hospital, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang Medical CollegeSchool of Pharmacy, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University2Nd Abdominal Surgery Department, Jiangxi Cancer Hospital, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang Medical CollegeAbstract Sanren Decoction (SRD), a traditional Chinese medicine formula historically used to relieve damp-heat and gastrointestinal disorders, demonstrates targeted efficacy in ulcerative colitis (UC)—a disease marked by chronic inflammation and mucosal damage—by acting on multiple pathological pathways. This study employed an integrative methodology comprising network pharmacology, molecular docking, and in vivo experimentation to elucidate the underlying pharmacological mechanisms of SRD in the management of UC. The findings identified 87 genes targeted by SRD that are associated with UC, highlighting PTGS2 (Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthase 2) as a crucial target involved in inflammatory processes. Molecular docking analysis confirmed significant interactions between the active compounds of SRD and PTGS2, suggesting a potential anti-inflammatory pathway. In vivo experiments utilizing a DSS-induced colitis mouse model demonstrated that SRD effectively ameliorates clinical symptoms and histopathological damage, enhances intestinal barrier integrity, and modulates macrophage polarization from a pro-inflammatory M1 state to an anti-inflammatory M2 phenotype. Furthermore, SRD was found to alter gut microbiota composition by increasing the abundance of beneficial bacteria and influencing metabolic pathways. These findings establish a strong scientific foundation for the potential of SRD as a comprehensive therapeutic approach for UC, offering promising prospects for its integration into clinical practice.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13020-025-01183-1Sanren decoctionUlcerative colitisGut microbiotaPTGS2Macrophage polarizationMicrobial dysbiosis |
| spellingShingle | Shujuan Zhang BangHua Li Xiaoqun Han LinLin Ruan Xingxing Fu Yanglin Chen Hongtao Wan Xiaojian Zhu Dan Liu Bo Yi Sanren decoction ameliorates ulcerative colitis by modulating gut microbiota and macrophage polarization to enhance intestinal barrier function Chinese Medicine Sanren decoction Ulcerative colitis Gut microbiota PTGS2 Macrophage polarization Microbial dysbiosis |
| title | Sanren decoction ameliorates ulcerative colitis by modulating gut microbiota and macrophage polarization to enhance intestinal barrier function |
| title_full | Sanren decoction ameliorates ulcerative colitis by modulating gut microbiota and macrophage polarization to enhance intestinal barrier function |
| title_fullStr | Sanren decoction ameliorates ulcerative colitis by modulating gut microbiota and macrophage polarization to enhance intestinal barrier function |
| title_full_unstemmed | Sanren decoction ameliorates ulcerative colitis by modulating gut microbiota and macrophage polarization to enhance intestinal barrier function |
| title_short | Sanren decoction ameliorates ulcerative colitis by modulating gut microbiota and macrophage polarization to enhance intestinal barrier function |
| title_sort | sanren decoction ameliorates ulcerative colitis by modulating gut microbiota and macrophage polarization to enhance intestinal barrier function |
| topic | Sanren decoction Ulcerative colitis Gut microbiota PTGS2 Macrophage polarization Microbial dysbiosis |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13020-025-01183-1 |
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