Yunweiling alleviates functional constipation: integrating network pharmacology and experimental study

Area of Science:

• Integrative medicine
• Pharmacology
• Gastroenterology

Background:

• Functional Constipation (FC) poses a significant health challenge.
• Yunweiling is a traditional remedy with potential therapeutic benefits for FC.
• Understanding its mechanisms is crucial for clinical application.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impacts and mechanisms of Yunweiling in Functional Constipation (FC) management.
• To validate the efficacy of Yunweiling through experimental research.
• To provide theoretical support for Yunweiling's clinical use.

Main Methods:

• Network pharmacology approach utilizing databases like TCMSP, Genecard, and OMIM.
• Construction of pharmacological and protein-protein interaction networks using Cytoscape.
• Experimental validation in a loperamide-induced constipation mouse model, including Western blot and HE staining.
• Molecular docking studies to predict drug-target interactions.

Main Results:

• Yunweiling significantly alleviated constipation symptoms in mice, improving stool output and gastrointestinal motility.
• Histological analysis showed Yunweiling restored colon tissue structure.
• Yunweiling modulated key proteins (TP53, P-AKT, P-PI3K, RET, Rai) involved in the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway.
• Yunweiling demonstrated superior efficacy compared to its individual components and exhibited synergistic effects with pathway inhibitors.

Conclusions:

• Combined network pharmacology and experimental data confirm Yunweiling's efficacy in managing Functional Constipation.
• The PI3K-Akt signaling pathway is implicated in Yunweiling's therapeutic effects.
• Yunweiling presents a promising therapeutic agent for FC with strong theoretical support for clinical use.